M
anny Reyna, a 32-year-old Army veteran, made the most of his time in service by accumulating real estate knowledge. After suffering a major hip injury and leaving the Army in 2021, he had to navigate uncertainty about his future career path. However, with a decent amount of savings and a VA loan that allowed him to buy a home with no down payment, Reyna was able to purchase his first single-family home for $219,000.

    Reyna's real estate journey took off when interest rates dropped around the time he left the Army. He saw it as an opportunity to build equity by buying property. With a VA loan, he qualified for a 3% interest rate and moved into his new home in San Antonio with his family in the spring of 2021.

    After settling into his first home, Reyna expanded his portfolio to four properties, including two tiny homes. He financed the second single-family home with another VA loan and secured an interest rate under 5%. The rental income from this property allowed him to rent out his starter home and generate passive income.

    Reyna's real-estate mentor introduced him to a local plumber who had built a fully furnished tiny home on his plot of land. Reyna leased the land, eventually buying his own 1.6-acre lot where he added a second tiny home. The process was time-consuming and expensive, but Reyna used a credit card with a 0% interest rate to fund most of the project.

    After three months of development, Reyna reopened his first tiny home for business on Airbnb, which took off immediately. The short-term rental income paid off the credit card balance within a year, giving him the confidence to buy and add a second tiny home to the lot. Reyna now lists his properties on various platforms, including Facebook Marketplace, Facebook groups, and online travel agencies like Airbnb and VRBO.

    Reyna's real estate portfolio is generating significant passive income, with four homes expected to bring in around $84,000 this year. He and his family moved to Tokyo in January 2025, where they rent a fully furnished apartment for about $1,700 per month. Reyna plans to continue expanding his rental properties and exploring new opportunities.

    Reyna's decision to quit his job and move to Tokyo was motivated by burnout from working long hours and wanting more time with his family. He calculated that the rental income from his properties would be enough to sustain their lifestyle abroad, allowing him to focus on his family and personal well-being.