#3: From Training Wheels to Traction

Toward the end of our Training Wheels Project, we spotted another small lot for sale in the same municipality. The price tag was reasonable, and we figured—why not jump in one more time?

We already had momentum, and we knew we could do it. So we leaned on our design backgrounds once again to draft a simple, budget-friendly two-storey, three-bedroom home that would be easy to rent and would also resell well down the line. The plan was to hold onto it for around five years before selling.

It turns out that plan got fast-forwarded.

The Lot: Tiny Footprint, Big Vision

The lot was small and restrictive due to the zoning and septic requirements, but it came with an old detached garage. Most people might’ve torn it down to increase the footprint, but we saw the value in keeping it. Whether for storage, tools, or simply somewhere to park in the winter—garages always attract both renters and buyers.

Looking back, a smarter move might’ve been to rent out the garage separately for added income. But seeing as we were still new to the game, we included it in the rent. Rookie mistake.

We designed the house to make the most of the lot’s footprint without overcomplicating the build. Efficiency and resale were top of mind from day one.

The Hustle: Full-Time Jobs by Day, Builders by Night

At the time, we were both working 40+ hours a week at our full-time jobs. That meant every evening and weekend, we were on site—swinging hammers, unloading supplies, coordinating trades, and pushing through exhaustion.

We had bought an old SUV in cash, tore out the back seats, and used it to haul building materials every weekend. You’d be surprised how much lumber, drywall, and flooring you can fit into an old SUV when you’re determined.

Oh—and we got married in June of that same year, just a month or so before starting this build. It was chaotic, beautiful, and one of the busiest seasons of our lives. Or so we thought... looking back, I’d totally go back to the “quiet” of that year.

The Setback That Almost Broke Us

As we approached the finish line, we got hit with a financial curveball: the bank made an error on our file and ended up approving us for about $20,000 less on the final payout than they had originally calculated. At that point, we were already stretched thin and nearing burnout. That $20K shortfall felt crushing.

I was ready to throw in the towel.

Thanks to all the DIY work we put in, we still managed to break even and didn’t have to leave any money in the deal. But we had hoped to pull out that extra $20K to finally pay ourselves something for all the overtime and sweat equity we’d poured in.

Trying to keep me from jumping ship, Rob told me to book us a 5-day getaway to an all-inclusive resort in the Dominican Republic to help reset our minds. It wasn’t extravagant—but it was exactly what we needed.

While we were poolside, he handed me a copy of Rich Dad Poor Dad. That book changed everything. It reframed how I viewed money, time, and freedom. I came back from that trip refocused, energized, and absolutely certain that we were building something far bigger than just houses.

The Outcome: Quick Sale, Bigger Vision

We completed the home in late 2017, with an all-in cost (lot included) of just $240,000. We rented it out for $1,700/month, planning to hold it for about five years.

But we quickly realized that there was no real cash flow in keeping a single-family home at that price point, other than long-term appreciation. And back then, Ontario had full rent control, regardless of when the home was built. It just didn’t make sense to hold it.

Then the market shifted, sale and rent prices increased, and by late 2019, we stumbled upon a new opportunity we couldn’t pursue unless we sold this low-cashflow property where the rent was stuck at the same price point.

We sold it for $307,000, exactly two years post-build.

That was $67K in profit, and the tenants had paid down another $20K on the mortgage—bringing the total gain to $87K. Not bad for a two-year investment that started with a $0 down payment.

We took that profit and rolled it into our next project: the Blue Reno.

What We Took Away

• Buying smart doesn’t mean buying big: Small lots can still deliver great returns.

• Doing two builds back-to-back builds confidence—and systems.

• Every dollar counts when you’re self-managing: From packing supplies in an old SUV to running materials yourself, you do what it takes.

• Taking a break can save your future: That 5-day trip may have saved our entire vision.

• One book, one mindset shift, can change your trajectory.

This wasn’t just a second build. It was the start of our momentum. It tested us, challenged us, and ultimately pushed us into the path we’re on today.

We weren’t just building houses anymore. We were building a future—and a business—one foundation at a time.