From a Poker dealer and $6k to owning 70+ units and financially free

In this compelling episode, host John Wei sits down with Lee Nugent, a once poker dealer turned real estate investor, to explore the remarkable story of how Lee transformed a $6,000 start into a portfolio of over 70 rental units — achieving complete financial independence along the way.

Lee opens up about his early days, the challenges of balancing work, marriage, and ambition, and how he used focus, grit, and smart investing to pivot out of corporate life. With a blend of humor, honesty, and hard-earned insights, Lee shares what it took to build a real estate empire, including private lending, multifamily deals, and launching his own hard money lending fund.

Highlights from this episode:

• Lee's $6,000 real estate start — and what sparked the first deal

• The sacrifice and strain of early hustling, and how it nearly cost his marriage

• Why mindset and vision sharing with your partner matter

• A peek into his current projects, including a 90-unit raise in St. Pete, Florida

• Book recommendations that shaped his journey, including Rich Dad Poor Dad and No Excuses by Brian Tracy

• How real estate became the catalyst for both personal and professional freedom

 

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