Are you ready to unlock the secrets to building a multi-million dollar real estate portfolio? In this video, Thach Nguyen—who turned his humble beginnings as a refugee into a $100 million real estate empire—shares the strategies that made him one of the most successful investors in the game. From his unique “two-for-one” property strategy to finding hidden gems in the market, Thach’s insights are packed with actionable tips you won’t want to miss. Carry on reading to discover how you, too, can build lasting wealth through real estate!
Thach Nguyen’s Top Investing Tips
From purchasing his first home with saved commissions to holding a diverse portfolio that generates over $100,000 in monthly passive income, Thach Nguyen’s journey offers a roadmap for real estate investors at any stage. His formula is clear: prioritize ownership, leverage creative property strategies, invest in branding, and build wealth that lasts. As Thach puts it, real wealth is not just in dollars but in options and freedom—an inspiring message for anyone looking to invest in real estate.
Finding Wealth Through Ownership, Not Sales 🏡
When Thach started as a realtor in Seattle at just 21, his focus was on selling homes, but a life-altering lesson from a mentor taught him the difference between being rich and being truly wealthy. Selling property creates income, but owning it builds wealth over time. He channeled his earnings into buying properties, turning Seattle’s growth and booming rental market to his advantage. His motto? Hold, don’t flip. This approach allowed him to amass a portfolio of rentals generating steady, life-long income.
While there are significant profits to be made from flipping houses, Thach’s advice around owning property and renting it out is entirely valid and a successful method of investing in real estate too. Real estate overall, can offer significant profits and generate wealth over time. Owning a property and leasing it out has many benefits including:
Property Appreciation: The longer you own a property, the more you could benefit from inflation and rising property values. As your mortgage decreases over time, your property’s value increases, which means that steadily you’ll earn more return on your investment once you sell it.
Consistent Income: Rental properties provide a stable, consistent income from a relatively hands-off approach. Often, real estate can be used as a safe place to invest, even when the market is declining, it usually rebounds because housing is always needed and there’s a limited supply of land.
Tax Advantages: Those who have invested in a rental property to hold, are taxed at a lower rate because it’s an investment property. Various expenses to do with rental properties are also tax deductible, such as repairs, maintenance or upkeep, paying a property manager, and driving to or from your property.
Multiplying Returns with the "Two-for-One" Property Formula 🏘️
A lesser-known trick that Thach swears by is maximizing property value through creative lot use. In markets like Seattle, zoning laws often permit a second home on single-family lots. Thach buys homes with big backyards, renovates the front property, and builds a new house in the back. This way, he effectively gets “two houses for the price of one.” This model significantly increases his margins, sometimes netting him $400,000 per property.
The Benefits of Subdividing a Property (Where Zoning Laws Permit):
Increased Property Value: Subdividing a property into smaller plots can significantly boost its appeal and overall market value. This approach often attracts more buyers and raises the property’s selling price, enhancing its investment potential.
Expanded Real Estate Portfolio: Building an additional home on the same property allows investors to grow their portfolio without the need for new land purchases. This expansion creates additional opportunities for rental income and asset diversification.
Enhanced Cash Flow: Adding another unit on the same parcel of land provides a new revenue stream, increasing cash flow. For investors, this means an added source of income from the same property, maximizing the land’s earning potential.
This strategy can be a highly efficient way to capitalize on property assets, especially in areas where housing demand is on the rise.
Social Media as the Ultimate Investment Tool 📱
Thach’s influence isn’t limited to Seattle. Through social media, he’s built a brand as a real estate guru, sharing daily insights and tips. His online presence has become a primary lead source, with his strategies attracting thousands of followers and mentees. His advice? For real estate investors, posting consistently on platforms like Instagram and TikTok can help build trust and create valuable connections. “If you want to grow fast, you need both frequency and valuable content,” Thach insists.
For real estate investors, social media is a valuable tool that can be used for:
- Building relationships with other professionals in the real estate industry, and real estate investors who may be good connections to have.
- Finding off market deals which have not been advertised publicly yet, and can be great investment opportunities.
- Gaining insight into successful strategies, areas or opportunities that other investors are using.
- Cost-effective marketing method for investors who are looking to get their properties rented.
- Allows investors to showcase properties with videos, images and writeups.
- Networking is easier on social media through communities and real estate groups.
Real Estate and Philanthropy: Giving Back to the Community 🤝🏽
Beyond business, Thach is committed to uplifting Seattle’s underserved communities. He partners with organizations like First Place to provide housing for families transitioning from homelessness. His “26 by 2026” campaign, in partnership with the Seattle Sounders, aims to build soccer fields for kids in underprivileged areas—reinvesting in the city that helped him grow his empire.
If you’re looking to explore the philanthropic side of life, consider supporting causes close to your heart by donating to welfare organizations or charities. You might also get involved by organizing or participating in fundraising events like charity walks. Volunteering your time to build homes is another meaningful way to give back, directly impacting the community and making a tangible difference for those in need.
Building Generational Wealth and a Legacy
Today, Thach is passing his wealth-building knowledge on to his kids, teaching them the principles of passive income and self-reliance. He’s even empowered his teenage sons to own coin-operated washers and dryers in his apartment buildings, helping them learn the ropes of investment and entrepreneurship.
The quickest way to create the path for generational wealth is:
- Pay off debt – lowering your debt lowers your overall financial risk.
- Purchase property – real estate is the cornerstone of generational wealth building.
- Create an estate plan – a succession plan will be key to making sure that your properties create the generational wealth they were designed to.
- Share your financial wisdom – teach your children and grandchildren the right knowledge and skills to grow wealth responsibly.
Ready to start investing in rental real estate? Here’s a FREE Rental Property Calculator to help you calculate the profits on your next rental property project.
Who is Thach Nguyen?
Thach Nguyen is the CEO & Founder of Thach Real Estate Group, a Seattle-based real estate company, a seasoned investor and developer. Thach is a Vietnamese-American real estate professional, investor, developer, philanthropist, and motivational speaker based in Seattle, Washington. Born in Vietnam, Nguyen immigrated to the United States as a refugee. He began his real estate career in 1991 and has since built a substantial portfolio, including over 1,000 real estate projects and transactions. Thach’s real estate portfolio is now valued at over $100 million.
Beyond his professional achievements, Nguyen is committed to philanthropy. He co-founded “The Gift,” a program aimed at helping homeless families secure permanent housing. Additionally, he shares his expertise through platforms like Springboard to Wealth, educating others on real estate investing.
