Apartment Building Investing With Michael Blank Podcast

Eric Nelson thought buying one rental a year would lead to financial freedom. But after years of grinding, he realized he was just building another job. In this episode, Eric breaks down how he shifted from single-family rentals to a 1,000+ unit multifamily portfolio—and why mindset, mentorship, and the right partnerships made all the difference.We dig into the painful lessons, the strategic pivots, and the exact steps that helped Eric quit his W-2, move his family to Spain, and build a business that supports his life. If you’re trying to scale—or stuck doing it all yourself—this is the episode you’ve been waiting for.Key TakeawaysWhy “One Rental a Year” Doesn’t WorkEric’s early plan: 10 houses in 10 years = early retirementWhat actually happened: no scale, no freedom, no timeWhy single-family rentals didn’t deliver the cash flow he expectedThe Case for Multifamily Over RentalsHow one vacancy kills cash flow in SFR—but barely moves the needle in MFWhy multifamily is less emotional, more predictable, and built