I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Author and real estate expert Jason M. Kogok takes readers on a journey into the heart of the real estate business, helping newcomers and experts alike to know the ins and outs of the industry and how to properly manage their investments in the book “Plug the Holes, Fill the Barrel: A Beginner’s Guide to Building Wealth with Real Estate”.

The Synopsis

Intended to be the go-to real estate textbook for novice and beginner investors, this quick-start guide teaches the ABCs of building wealth and financial freedom with real estate investing, while offering practical explanations, tips and real world examples that you won’t find elsewhere. Beyond simply providing a top-level guide of creating wealth and passive cash flow, this step-by-step playbook offers an in-depth look at every aspect of the investment process.

‘Plug the Holes, Fill the Barrel’ is the antidote to the drudgery of saving for 40 years only to wonder if those savings will last through retirement. The author, Jason Kogok, breaks down complex topics that may seem daunting to the beginner investor, from principle/interest payment strategies, to financing options, to effectively selecting the best investment properties in various markets. He answers common questions with practical guidance, like how to build a network when you’re just starting out, accurately forecast cash flow, leverage properties you already own to maximize future earning potential, and much more. He also delves into the less commonly discussed challenges specific to investing in rental properties, like effective property management techniques, red flags and must-haves of leases, and qualifying and managing your tenants in a way that creates efficiencies, reduces vacancy and increases cash flow.

Dripping with real world examples, this book demystifies ubiquitous investor “rules” and addresses common concerns like understanding market analysis, BRRRR strategy, real estate vocabulary terms and financing options and investing calculations. The text examines all styles of residential real estate investing, including single family and attached homes, and includes detailed explanations of . There is also quite a bit of explanation for various investment strategies, leverage, profit measurements and creative ideas that can teach you the way of the pros. The author also includes those often overlooked, but critical, often missed topics such as taxes, capital gains, depreciation, depreciation recapture and 1031 exchanges. The book discusses property management, leases, how to qualify and manage tenants in a way that creates efficiencies, reduces vacancy and increases cash flow. After finishing, readers should feel very comfortable on starting their own path to financial freedom, creating wealth with real estate investing and early retirement.

• This is a real estate finance textbook for beginner to intermediate level investors.
• One of the most comprehensive real estate books in 2022.
• A real estate quick study guide for all.
• Understand basics of real estate wealth hacking.
• The perfect key for mastering your real estate career.
• Create passive income from real estate wealth system.
• Setting short & long term realistic real estate investment financial goals
• Examining real estate properties for their investment viability
• Running true complete cash flows with an easy to use formula for real estate rental properties
• Portfolio analysis in its entirety and per asset
• Examining depreciation, recapture & real estate taxes
• Methods to reduce cash needed to invest
• Leverage strategies
• Real estate exit strategies
• Examine supply & demand, inflation and interest rate
• Financial terms, ratios and calculations such as Net Operating Income, Debt to Income ratios & Cap rates
• Managing your tenants and creating efficiencies
• Time management to create portfolios that run with limited time involved

A dense toolkit in an easy to read package that prepares you to immediately start building a portfolio of passive income with limitless potential.

The Review

This was a truly thoughtful and dynamic introduction to the world of real estate investment. The detailed and invigorating way the author speaks about the business and wealth side of real estate is so fascinating to read, as it gives a unique perspective that is not discussed often in a public forum. The author did a great job of covering a wide range of topics within this field, from the different ways in which to manage one’s investments to the types of properties to invest in and so much more.

What drew me into this book immediately was the author’s honesty and candor. The author’s own words make it clear that he is not a writer with a working knowledge of real estate, but instead a real estate expert who took a stab at writing to help others understand the field better. This honest approach to the writing style made the book come alive in the reader’s hands and felt like having an honest and open discussion with the author himself as the book carried on. Their experience as a teacher was felt as well, often coming through in the tone of the book as the lessons in real estate came to life on the page. 

The Verdict

Thought-provoking, enlightening, and passionate, author Jason M. Kogok’s “Plug the Holes, Fill the Barrel: A Beginner’s Guide to Building Wealth with Real Estate” is a must-read nonfiction book on business and real estate in particular. The precision and detail in which the author went into the business of real estate investment, and the author’s ability to transform these lessons in a way that the average reader and newcomer to the business could understand made the book an instant hit in my book. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

About the Author

Jason started his real estate career over two decades ago as a real estate sales broker and since then has grown his real estate team to the top ranks in North Carolina. He also manages his own real estate portfolio and has had tremendous success with building his rental portfolio, along with ‘fix and flip’ properties along the way.

In addition to real estate, Jason has a passion for teaching, so he combined his extensive real estate and investing knowledge to pursue another chapter in his career. Jason teaches and coaches real estate brokers, novice & intermediate investors, as well as works alongside large individual investors to help scale their portfolios.

Jason lives with his family in Raleigh, NC.

https://www.investorswealtheducation.com/