Why I Chose Four Homes Over a Hundred Doors

They asked me why I don’t just go straight for an apartment complex.

“Wouldn’t that be faster?” they asked.
“More doors, more income, more wealth—right?”

Maybe. But not for me. And not for most people starting out.

Here’s why I believe in the Four Home Formula—four single-family homes in your own backyard—before ever touching a multifamily deal.

First, appreciation. Single-family homes tend to appreciate faster than multifamily units. Markets place more emotional and personal value on houses—homes—than they do on rows of rental units. That means your wealth can grow quicker, with less effort and less risk.

Second, financing. When you buy a house, you're working with the same lenders, the same terms, and in many cases, the same programs you used to buy your own home. But the minute you step into multifamily territory, the game changes. It’s treated like a commercial loan. Bigger down payment. Higher interest rates. Stricter terms.

Third, familiarity. If you’re a homeowner, you already know the product. You know what matters. You know what maintenance looks like. You know how to market it. That’s an edge—an advantage that disappears when you jump into unknown territory too soon.

And last, the tenant. A person living in a single-family home tends to treat it more like they own it. That means fewer calls, less turnover, more pride. That’s not always the case with an apartment unit.

So why four homes? Because it works.
Because it’s simple.
Because it’s proven.

Once you’ve got your four homes—once you’ve mastered the model—then go shopping for your apartment complex. But not a moment before.

Want to learn more? Start where you are, with what you’ve got.
That’s the Backyard Millionaire way.

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