How Doctors Can Use Real Estate to Live Life on Your Terms

In the high-stakes world of medicine – precision, knowledge, and preparation are everything. It can come as surprising to some that the same qualities can help doctors use real estate to live life on their own terms.

The following is a guest post from Kenji Asakura, M.D., Visionary of Semi-Retired MD along with his wife, Letizia Alto M.D., author of Life On Your Terms, and co-host of the Doctors Building Wealth podcast

Many of you may be familiar with their story. However, I asked them to share it. A also asked them to add in some inside tips about how they’ve been so successful on their journey. Leti and Kenji were the ones who introduced Selenid and I to real estate investing. And we continue to learn from them today.

Enjoy!

Using real estate as a doctor to live on your own terms

What if I told you that with the same calculated approach that we use in our surgeries and medical diagnoses, we can carve out a financial path as secure as the sutures we tie? And what if I told you it doesn’t have to take until retirement age to achieve the freedom you desire?

Real estate investing was that path for us.

And it has given us the freedom to live life on our terms NOW, instead of waiting until retirement age to enjoy it.

As someone who’s juggled the challenges of a demanding medical career with the hustle of real estate investing, I intimately understand the intricacies, apprehensions, and aspirations of physicians looking to fortify their financial portfolios. What you may not know is that as a doctor, you are uniquely positioned to build wealth through real estate and freedom is closer than you think. You just have to believe it’s possible for you and reject common misconceptions about real estate investing.

Why real estate investing is tailored for doctors

So why are you uniquely positioned to succeed as a real estate investor? Here are a few reasons:

Access to Capital: With a higher income and often a stronger credit profile, you can secure loans with better terms and rates. This can help you acquire more properties and expand your portfolios faster.
Financial Flexibility: Having a high income gives you greater financial cushion. This allows you to weather temporary downturns in the market or unexpected expenses related to their properties.
Professional Network: As a high-income earner, you will likely have an easier time building a network of professionals who can provide valuable advice and services.
Education and Resources: You have the means to invest in real estate education, courses, and mentorship. This can help you grow faster and avoid critical mistakes that could set you back years.

Debunking common misconceptions

I’ve come across fellow doctors hesitant about diving into real estate, often due to misconceptions. Here are a few:

“I don’t have the time!” The beauty of real estate is that it can be as hands-on or hands-off as you want it to be. With property managers and a solid team, it can essentially become a passive investment.
“I’m not a finance or real estate guru.” Neither was I! But with dedication, learning, and mentorship, understanding the basics and making informed decisions becomes second nature. As we like to say, “It’s not med school hard!”
“It’s not a good time to invest.” While there are market fluctuations, real estate tends to be a stable long-term investment. And with the right strategies, even downturns can be turned into opportunities.

Life on your terms: Navigating the real estate waters as a medical professional

Transitioning into real estate can be daunting, especially when juggling a demanding medical career.

That’s where our book Life on Your Terms comes in.

It was written to show you why doctors are using real estate investing as a path to freedom and inspire you to do the same. As doctors, we’ve dedicated our lives to healing and caring for others. It’s only fitting that we also take proactive steps to secure our own financial futures.

With real estate investing as part of your portfolio, you can enjoy both professional satisfaction and financial peace of mind. Remember, it’s all about creating a life on your terms.

My final thoughts and 2 cents…

Jordan here again.

I always love listening to Kenji. As he shares here, his journey was not linear. And what we see now in the (towards the) end product. But we all have to start somewhere. And he started exactly where you may be now…as a doctor looking for more control to live life on your own terms…

And real estate is a real powerful tool in that regard as I hope this demonstrates. It certainly has been for Selenid and me.

And remember, you don’t need to want to retire or move on from medicine to invest in real estate. If you do that’s absolutely fine. But I, for instance, love what I do and intend to do it for a long time. But I know that financial freedom – in which real estate plays a big part for me – will allow me to become an even better doctor!

And here are some additional resources of mine for anyone looking to learn more about real estate investing as a physician!

What do you think? Could real estate help you live life on your terms? Would it help you actually become a better doctor? Let me know in the comments below!

More about the author, Kenji:

Kenji Asakura is a board-certified internal medicine physician, real estate investor who owns over 150+ units of long and short-term rentals in multiple states, real estate syndicator with 1000+ units under management, blogger, podcaster, and co-author of Life On Your Terms: Why Doctors Use Real Estate Investments to Set Themselves Free and How You Can Too.

He’s also Visionary of Semi-Retired MD, a company aimed at helping doctors and high-income earners build their own portfolios of income-producing properties, securing a steady source of income outside of their day jobs. To date, Kenji and his wife Letizia, a fellow physician and real estate investor, have coached over 3,000 students in their course, Zero to Freedom, many of whom have gone on to build rental property portfolios that have provided them with financial freedom. Kenji lives in Puerto Rico with his wife and three small children and spends about 5 months a year traveling around the world.