Episode #1,054 Invest in Turnkey Properties with REI Nation: https://info.reination.com/qr?utm_campaign=Bigger%20Pockets%20-%20YouTube%20QR%20Overlay%20Ad&utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=paidsocial Episode Show Notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/podcasts/real-estate?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=none Join BiggerPockets for FREE 👇 https://www.biggerpockets.com/signup?utm_source=owned_media Let Us Know What You Thought of the Show! https://www.BiggerPockets.com/Podcastfeedback Grab the Syndication Investing Book, “The Hands-Off Investor”: https://store.biggerpockets.com/products/the-hands-off-investor?utm_source=owned_media Find an Investor-Friendly Agent in Your Area: http://biggerpockets.com/agentmatch Renting a Home Is Financially Better Than Buying—Wait, What?!: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/argument-renting-city-buying-investment-property?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=none Connect with Jonathan: https://www.biggerpockets.com/users/jonathangreene?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=none Connect with Dave: https://www.biggerpockets.com/users/davem27?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=none Why does this veteran real estate investor say that early retirement and financial freedom are a bad idea? Why does he think renting, NOT buying a house, makes more sense for most Americans in 2025? And what’s the one mistake that lost him hundreds of thousands of dollars even after being an experienced investor for decades? Jonathan Greene, one of our favorite repeat guests, is back on the show to share. Jonathan’s father, a serial real estate investor, taught him everything about rental properties early on. Together, they walked potential properties, snuck into foreclosed homes, reviewed the profits and figures line by line, and even dealt with evictions together. This equipped Jonathan with the skills to not only build generational wealth for his family but also financial freedom for himself. However, once he achieved it, Jonathan realized that early financial freedom wasn’t worth it. But why? This episode looks into the mind of one of the most experienced investors in the entire industry. Jonathan shares why he still decided to work even after building a real estate portfolio, the investment he made that cost him severely, why he’s moving his money into a more “passive” investment, the reason renting makes MORE sense than buying in 2025, and what a beginner should do RIGHT NOW to start investing in real estate. 00:00 Intro 01:26 Learning to Invest as a Toddler 04:41 Teaching Your Kids About Wealth 06:31 Flunking Out Then Back to College 07:54 DON'T Retire Early! 16:08 His Huge Losses 17:02 What Jonathan Invests in NOW 22:30 Don't Buy a House? 26:11 How to Start TODAY 32:39 Exposing Your Kids to Real Estate 35:34 Connect with Jonathan!