The Power of Your 'Why': How to Align Real Estate Investments with Your Life Goals

HHey ladies! 🌟

I have to tell you about our latest Rocky Mountain Women Invest networking event—it was so good! We had the amazing Dave Meyer as a speaker, and wow, he really broke things down in a way that just clicked. He talked all about the necessity of understanding your long-term goals in real estate investing before you even start making a plan. And honestly, it was such a reality check!

Let’s be real, it’s so tempting to just jump on a "good deal" because it seems like a smart move, right? But Dave reminded us that it’s not about grabbing whatever comes your way. It’s about personalizing your portfolio to fit your life. He asked us: “Why do you want to invest in real estate?”—and it got deep! Are you doing it for financial freedom? To pass something down to your kids? For a sense of security? It’s more than just numbers on paper, it’s about making moves that align with your values and vision for the future.

Dave broke it down into three steps:

1. The Vision: This is where you map out what you want. Think about your resources (do you have time, money, skills?), your personal values, and of course, your financial goals. He stressed how important it is to work backwards from your expenses. Figure out what you need to live on, and then decide how much equity you need to generate that income and become financially free. I loved this part because it felt so much more personal than just, “Let’s buy a property and see what happens.” It’s about making real estate work for your life.

2. Deal Design: Here’s where it got interesting. You don’t just look at deals that seem “good” on the surface—you match them to your vision. If you’re someone who doesn’t have a lot of time, don’t go buying a fixer-upper thinking you’ll magically have the energy to make it happen. Focus on what works for you. And let’s be honest—those people on social media saying you can do it with no money or no time? Yeah, they’re lying. It takes work, capital, time, and skill, and it’s all about knowing what you have and how to use it.

3. Portfolio Management: This was where Dave dropped some real gems. Constantly benchmark your portfolio. Is it doing what you need it to do? If your goal is cash flow but your properties aren’t bringing it, then it’s time to reassess. He also talked about risk—higher-risk investments usually bring higher rewards, but if you’re not in this for the long haul, maybe keep it low-risk. It was such a good reminder that real estate is a long game, and we need to make sure our investments align with our risk tolerance and time horizon.

What really stuck with me was when Dave said, “If you don’t have equity, you don’t get to make decisions.” I mean, wow! Equity is what gives you flexibility and control over your financial future. And don’t we all want that?

The other takeaway? The worst-case scenario isn’t always that bad. Dave encouraged us to run the numbers on our worst-case investment scenario and see if we could live with it. If you can handle the worst, then you can definitely enjoy the best! 💪

By the end of the event, I was feeling so empowered. It’s not just about chasing deals—it’s about chasing your dream life and making investments that will help you achieve that vision. And Dave reminded us to always stay grounded in our "why"—because, ladies, our personal values are what guide us.

This was seriously one of those talks that changes how you look at everything. So, if you missed it, don’t worry—we’ll catch you up at the next event! 😊 Until then, stay focused on your vision and keep building that portfolio that works for you!

Talk soon! 💕

Love, M

Mackenzie Page is a Realtor, Investor, Writer, and Herder-of-Chickens living on her small hobby farm in Denver CO with her partner, rescue pup, and flock of sassy4 hens. As a board member of Rocky Mountain Women Invest she runs the website, blog and future podcast. Follow, like and share!

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available are for general informational purposes only.