The Simple Systems Behind a 150-Unit Rental Portfolio (8-Hour Workweeks!)

BiggerPockets Real Estate Podcast · Jul 8, 2026 · 29m

When the dot-com bubble burst, Matt (the “Lumberjack Landlord”) watched his 100% stock portfolio go to dust.

Having lost everything he had saved throughout his early twenties, his only option was to rebuild. But with what? He needed something that could help him offset his living expenses today and propel him toward retirement.

That “something” was rentals.

But Matt didn’t just buy a couple of rental properties and sit back. He did what many investors won’t: he house hacked. And again. And again. Nine times in 13 years. This, combined with the income from his nine-to-five job, allowed him to…