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Maris O'Shaughnessy
REALTOR®
(352) 773-1616
Maris O'Shaughnessy O'Shaughnessy Blog

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July
29



Imagine you wake up two and a half years from now with $70,000 worth of equity in your first home. That home is now a rental property and has created a passive stream of income for you. This is exactly what has happened to me and I'm going to share how.

I started small, buying a home I could comfortably afford. It wasn't glamorous - just a 800 sqft, two bedroom, 1 bathroom home in Roanoke City. With just 5% down payment, I was able to secure my first property and start building equity instead of paying rent to someone else.

Fast forward two and a half years, and an off-market opportunity presented itself. So, with another 5% down payment, I purchased my next home in Botetourt County allowing me to keep my first property as an investment while upgrading my living situation. It was a strategic decision that would accelerate my wealth-building journey.

Lessons Learned:
  1. Start with what you can afford. Your first home does not need to be your dream home.
  2. Low down payment options can be a powerful tool for entering the market!
  3. Be open to opportunities - don't wait for the "perfect" time or circumstance. Get in the market as quickly as you can to start building equity and wealth through real estate.
I made the purchase of my last home in May of 2023 and am currently shopping for my next property. I will continue to repeat this process until I am ready to move on to purchasing my "forever" home.

Remember though, everyone's journey is different. This approach worked and continues to work for me, but it's essential to consider your own financial situation and goals before making any major property decisions.

Ready to Start Your Own Real Journey? Let's Connect!

If my story has inspired you to explore your options in real estate, I'm here to help! Don't let questions or uncertainties hold you back from potentially life-changing opportunities. Reach out to me for a conversation about your real estate goals.

Phone: (540) 598-7380
Email: kristibowmanrealtor@gmail.com
Disclaimer: All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. All properties are subject to prior sale, change or withdrawal. Neither listing broker(s) or information provider(s) shall be responsible for any typographical errors, misinformation, misprints and shall be held totally harmless. Listing(s) information is provided for consumers personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. Information on this site was last updated 04/18/2026. The listing information on this page last changed on 04/18/2026. The data relating to real estate for sale on this website comes in part from the Internet Data Exchange program of Delta Media Group MLS (last updated Sat 04/18/2026 5:00:33 AM EST) or Roanoke Valley MLs (last updated Fri 04/17/2026 11:23:18 PM EST). Real estate listings held by brokerage firms other than MKB, REALTORS may be marked with the Internet Data Exchange logo and detailed information about those properties will include the name of the listing broker(s) when required by the MLS. All rights reserved.
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