In this podcast episode, the guest, Zasha Smith, discusses her journey from growing up in affordable housing on Maui to becoming a successful real estate investor. She emphasizes the importance of relationships and trust in her transition from her career as a civil engineer to real estate investing. After working long hours as an engineer and feeling disconnected from her family, she delved into real estate as a way to create passive income and achieve a better work-life balance.
Zasha shares her experiences of buying her first property with her mother, utilizing the BRRRR strategy (buy, renovate, rent, refinance, repeat), and gradually expanding her real estate portfolio through fix-and-flips and rental properties. She also mentions her entrance into commercial real estate syndications, where she became a limited partner in larger deals to diversify her investments and reduce active involvement.
As a dedicated community member, Zasha discusses the challenges faced by her community due to natural disasters like fires and the subsequent displacement of people. She highlights the importance of collaboration and community support in times of crisis, while also discussing efforts to provide temporary shelters and assistance to those affected.
Throughout the conversation, Zasha emphasizes the significance of perseverance, relationships, and community engagement in her journey as a real estate investor and her commitment to making a positive impact on her community.