Gen Zer uses real estate to pursue financial independence

Carolyn Yu, 27, drew down about half her stock portfolio to pay cash for a two-bedroom, two-bath condo in Fort Worth, Texas in late 2024. She scaled that initial purchase into a five-property portfolio in roughly two years by reinvesting equity, and her goal is to grow rental income enough to leave her W-2 job.

A few years into an accounting career at a Big Four firm, Yu began thinking seriously about financial independence after reading Rich Dad, Poor Dad and listening to the BiggerPockets podcast. She targeted Fort Worth for its affordability and growth potential, flew there to tour the condo, signed a contract the next day, and closed within a month, keeping the first purchase under $100,000.

Her approach is buy below market value, rehab, rent, and refinance to pull out equity — the BRRRR strategy.

United States, Fort Worth, Texas

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