Today, I had a chance to reflect on my journey, I bought my first rental 11 years ago, a 3-bed, 1.5-bath townhome for $108k with 20% down. It rented for $1,250/month and needed no work. Over the years, it's been mostly occupied and has consistently generated income. Fast forward to today, and the property is worth $295k and rents for $2,400/month. I recently did a cash-out refi, pulling $110k in equity from a property I originally bought for $108k. This moment reminded me of how far I've come, and how that initial investment has really paid off.