Brent Barghahn: Real Estate Investing and the Future of Home Ownership

Today on episode 59 I’m pleased to host Brent Barghahn, a 29-year-old elite climber who used real estate investment as a way to effectively “retire” from his career as an engineer in the outdoor industry in his late twenties.

Brent and I discussed a fascinating reality on the idea of dream jobs, the growing trend of short-duration careers (and what that means for society), and of course many details on Brent’s path to financial strength and community building through his preferred method of real estate investment. Of course, though, I wanted to discuss the stark differences in today’s high interest rate and sky-high price environment, which has changed markedly in the last year. It begs the question: can someone still be successful as a real estate investor today? I have my concerns, so we aired out some of them in today’s episode.

Finally, we take an interesting look at the realities of full-time climbing and why Brent has found he needs more. Also, Brent and I admittedly harbor negative sentiments on the world of social media, especially in climbing. What narratives and stories are being missed by the modern form of shallow media consumption?

Topics Discussed with Brent Barghahn:

  • How Brent used real estate to “retire” in his twenties from his career as an engineer in the outdoor industry
  • Why Brent quit what he considered to be a dream job
  • Brent’s philosophy on the fallacy of the dream job
  • Why Brent envisioned his engineering career as only lasting ten years
  • Why asking for more work/life flexibility backfired
  • Why Brent chose real estate as his preferred asset class
  • Brent’s five+ years in a van and why he thinks living in a house would have been a better financial decision
  • Details on Brent’s approach to real estate (how many properties, what to look for, mortgage specifics, costs, etc.)
  • Are the costs of real estate investment increasing due to inflationary pressures?
  • How to get an offer accepted with a low down-payment
  • What is the “1% Rule” and does it even work in today’s housing market?
  • Could Brent pursue his investment path in high interest rate environment?
  • Why Brent doesn’t invest in the stock market
  • Should young and smart people be stepping away from their careers?
  • How Brent got an accidental job
  • Why Brent hasn’t fully pursued professional climbing and why full-time climbing isn’t ideal
  • Brent’s philosophy on social media and why athletes shouldn’t be using these platforms
  • Will climbing be sustainable for the long-term?
  • So much more!

Get in Touch with Brent Barghahn

Brent’s Blog/Website

El Corazon, Ground Up: Brent’s Write-Up

Brent’s YouTube Channel

Brent on the Nugget Climbing Podcast

Related Content

Van Life: The Economics and Trade-0ffs (Clipping Chains)

Real Estate Investment Calculators (Bigger Pockets)

What to do with $2.5 Million & Real Estate Update | Scott Trench | Ep 426 (ChooseFI Podcast)

Books

Happy City: Transforming Our Lives Through Urban Design (Charles Montgomery)

Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind (Yuval Noah Harari)

The House Hacking Strategy: How to Use Your Home to Achieve Financial Freedom (Craig Curelop)


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One Reply to “Brent Barghahn: Real Estate Investing and the Future of Home Ownership”

  1. Didn’t know there was so much interest for housing in Flagstaff! I was curious to listen to this, it sounds like he bought as a primary home, rented out rooms while he travelled, and then after 12 months rented the space out again? I always wondered how people strategically take out a first-time homebuyer mortgage and then rent it out before the 12 months. But you’re right, high APYs right now make it tough. I couldn’t hear the dog snoring by the way haha.

What say you friend?