We’ve been conditioned to believe that a steady paycheck is a safety net. That if we pay our dues, the company we have been loyal to will return the favor, and we will ultimately be rewarded with a hefty 401(k).
But Clayton Morris contends that the opposite is true: As long as you for someone else (no matter how prestigious your job may be) consider yourself a line item on a spreadsheet with zero control of your own destiny—who could lose your livelihood at any time, through no fault of your own.
Clayton left a lucrative position as the weekend anchor for Fox & Friends to become the Founder and President of Morris Invest, a firm dedicated to helping people build financial freedom through real estate, and the host of the Investing in Real Estate Podcast. No matter how prominent his work in broadcasting, Clayton knew that his life wasn’t truly his own. He used real estate as the vehicle to gain financial freedom, and now he is on a mission to share his secret sauce with aspiring investors.
Clayton joins me to explain why he left a successful broadcasting career to pursue real estate full time. He shares how a flight to New Zealand inspired him to start a single-family portfolio and what motivated him to get serious about leveraging real estate to replace his income. Clayton addresses the significance of a strong WHY and the limiting beliefs that held him back early on. Listen in for Clayton’s advice around taking massive action and gaining clarity through whitespace.
Key Takeaways
Why Clayton left broadcasting for real estate
- Power of controlling own destiny
- Vitriolic politics, death threats
How Clayton decided on real estate
- Met investor on flight to New Zealand
- Followed formula to buy properties
Clayton’s initial investment strategy
- Class C single-family, hardworking neighborhoods
- Fall in love with ROI rather than real estate
- Bought two properties, $800/month cashflow
When Clayton got serious about real estate
- Couldn’t pay mortgage on NJ home
- Calculated freedom # (12 single-family)
- Got creative with money to acquire properties
Clayton’s last day of work
- Didn’t want any part of destructive political narrative
- Looking forward to spending weekends with family
- Cleaned out office and didn’t look back
Why Clayton is making the shift to multifamily
- Infinite returns, tax incentives
What held Clayton back
- Fear of success, father never took action
- Had to put on blinders, stick to one thing
The myth that a steady paycheck is a safety net
- Average 401(k) only $90K
- ‘Pawn on chessboard’
Clayton’s advice around taking action
- Put together battle plan (one strategy)
- People, deals and money
What Clayton is looking forward to
- Multifamily investments
- Writing book (mindset)
- Creating more whitespace
Connect with Clayton
Resources
Jeff Goins Mitigated Risk Article
Michael on Investing in Real Estate
Financial Freedom Summit
Free eBook: The Secret to Raising Money to Buy Your First Apartment Building
