J
eremy Barker, founder of Murphy Door, is a real estate investor and entrepreneur who started buying properties when his startup outgrew its original space. He's since scaled to over 30 commercial and residential properties generating seven figures in annual rental income.

    Barker stumbled into real estate investing by necessity, buying a larger space than needed for his startup and leasing nearly 80% of it to tenants. The building has more than quadrupled in value within the past decade. He's repeated this strategy, focusing on overlooked properties that others might overlook due to their condition or location.

    "I like to look for pigs," Barker said, referring to buildings that are dilapidated but have potential. "We could put lipstick on it and make it look really pretty." For example, he bought a 90,000-square-foot call center in Utah that had been empty for years. While most investors wouldn't even consider the property, Barker saw an opportunity to renovate and lease it out.

    Barker's strategy involves finding properties with low vacancy rates and good access to highways. He also looks for companies selling their main office space, which often sit on the market for years without being leased. By signing a purchase and sale agreement that allows him to put up a "for lease" sign before closing, he can gauge demand and potentially secure tenants before even taking possession of the property.

    Barker's approach is centered around finding properties with leverage, such as those that have been on the market for over a year or are being sold by companies looking to relocate. He believes this gives him negotiating power and allows him to secure deals that others might miss.