For tradespeople and hourly workers, real estate offers a way out of the time-for-money trap. Rick Howell, a former electrician in Toledo, Ohio, now flips up to eight houses at a time and wholesales the rest for quick profits.
His journey started in 2009, inspired by Rich Dad Poor Dad, and evolved into a systemized, family-run business with multiple income streams.
Want to see how Rick built his real estate empire from the ground up? Watch this interview for real-world insights and inspiration straight from the source:
Whether you're flipping houses, wholesaling, or holding rentals, real estate can open the door to scalable income, personal freedom, and long-term wealth.
This guide outlines eight proven steps to help you replicate Rick’s journey.
Clarity is your first step. Rick started with rehabbing but quickly added wholesaling and rental properties to his business model. Ask yourself:
Write down your goals. Choose your real estate lane and build your systems around that focus
Rick and his partner were electricians with no coaching or training. They leaned on fellow tradespeople to do plumbing, drywall, and more.
This do-it-yourself approach gave Rick early momentum and credibility.
Rick and his partner tapped $80K in home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) to fund their first deal. They made mistakes but learned valuable lessons.
Tips:
Today, Rick finances flips and BRRRR deals using a 5-year ARM and 20-year amortization loan, keeping cash flow healthy even with higher rates.
A big reason Rick scaled to 8 flips at once is his network. He built a team from his trade contacts and held them accountable to tight schedules.
This team-first strategy keeps projects on time and under budget.
Rick runs flips like an assembly line:
This predictability allows his team to complete flips in 4–6 weeks with profits around $35K. Even the flooring is standardized (vinyl plank and carpet in bedrooms).
Rick uses TV ads, direct mail, and DealMachine to drive consistent leads. His marketing includes:
He also leverages long-tail keyword strategies by targeting niche lead sources, such as:
Consistency and local presence give his brand a huge edge over national competitors.
With 25+ rentals, Rick learned the hard way that third-party managers don't always perform. After dealing with theft and poor communication, he brought everything in-house using Buildium.
Systemized in-house property management includes:
As a result, Rick’s delinquency is near zero, and occupancy is close to 100%.
When interest rates rose above 7%, Rick paused rental acquisitions and focused on cash-heavy flips. Now that rates are dropping again, he’s resuming BRRRR deals.
Being flexible and data-driven has allowed Rick's business to thrive in any market condition.
Even with a strong strategy, beginner real estate investors often fall into avoidable traps. Here are a few to watch out for:
Being aware of these mistakes upfront can save you time, money, and stress as you grow your portfolio.
Start by using a HELOC, hard money lender, or partnering with someone who has capital. Focus on undervalued properties and build a reliable contractor team.
Flipping homes is ideal because you can control labor costs. Many tradespeople eventually transition into holding rentals for passive income.
Yes. Wholesaling is legal in most states with proper paperwork. Rick averages $12K per wholesale deal by assigning contracts for properties he can’t flip.
Use property management software like Buildium. Screen tenants thoroughly, do inspections every six months, and keep maintenance proactive.
Drive for dollars using Deal Machine, run targeted direct mail campaigns, and use local branding like TV ads to stand out. Focus on niche lists like foreclosures or inherited homes.