We were lucky to catch up with Rachael Boyd recently and have shared our conversation below.

Rachael , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s been one of the most interesting investments you’ve made – and did you win or lose? (Note, these responses are only intended as entertainment and shouldn’t be construed as investment advice)

One of the best investments I’ve made wasn’t actually in a property—it was investing in myself!

Back in 2012, my husband Josh and I were newly married, excited to buy our first home together. Josh already owned a house, so we put it on the market, expecting a quick sale. We crossed our fingers and waited. And waited. And waited.
A year later, not a single offer had come in.
In our youthful wisdom, we came up with a brilliant solution—why not just rent it out? How hard could it be? We figured we’d just wing it and learn as we went. Spoiler alert: we had no idea what we were doing.
At first, things seemed okay. But then came tenant issues, late payments, multiple evictions, and eventually a full home renovation thanks to some seriously destructive renters. We got burned—bad. It didn’t take long for us to start believing that maybe real estate investing just wasn’t for us.
Fast forward to 2022. After years of frustration, we reached out to our friends Eric and Tiffany, who had built a thriving real estate portfolio. They had “retired” from their corporate jobs and were living the life we had once dreamed of.
Their advice? Invest in ourselves before investing in more properties.
They encouraged us to start attending investor meetups, networking with successful people, and getting into rooms where deals were actually happening. So, we took their advice to heart.
We started showing up at the EEE Southside Investors Meet-Up in Fayetteville, Georgia. We invested in our education, attending Gary Johnston’s Financial Freedom Principles course in Atlanta. We surrounded ourselves with people who knew how to succeed in real estate—people who had already figured out what we were struggling with.
And that’s when everything changed.
Today, we’re living the dream we once thought was out of reach. We’ve built a thriving portfolio of investment properties and are constantly on the hunt for new opportunities. In just three years, Josh and I went from struggling investors to full-time real estate entrepreneurs, following in the footsteps of our mentors, Eric and Tiffany. What once felt impossible—leaving our former careers to pursue real estate full-time—became our reality. And the best part? We’re just getting started.
Being in the right rooms, asking the right questions, and learning from people who had already walked the path made all the difference.
We used to think real estate investing was something we had to figure out on our own. But the truth is, real estate is a team sport.
The best return on investment isn’t always a deal—it’s the knowledge, relationships, and mindset you develop along the way.
Looking back, we’re grateful for every misstep because they led us to where we are today. And if there’s one piece of advice we can share, it’s this: Don’t try to do it alone. Get in the room. Learn from those who’ve been there. And most importantly—invest in yourself.

Rachael , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Hi, I’m Rachael Boyd—a real estate investor and licensed Realtor in Georgia. But before I dove into the world of real estate, I spent years as a high school teacher and coach, completely devoted to my students, my coworkers, and my career in education. I thought I’d be in the classroom forever.
Then, life threw us the biggest surprise ever.
At 35, my husband and I found out we were expecting a baby! Fun fact—we already had two kids in high school.
Suddenly, everything shifted. Our daily grind—teaching, coaching, and sponsoring after-school activities to make ends meet—had worked when we were younger. But this time around, we wanted something different. We wanted to be present for our youngest child. We wanted to build a legacy for all three of our kids. And most importantly, we wanted to create our own dream life.
Years earlier, we had dabbled in real estate investing—and gotten burned. That experience left us hesitant, but we knew real estate had the potential to be the vehicle that changed everything.
So, instead of trying to figure it out alone, we reached out to Eric and Tiffany Vogel, successful investors who had already built the life we wanted. They didn’t just mentor us—they empowered us. They taught us how to invest strategically, encouraged us to push past our fears, and helped us develop the confidence to go all in.
While home on maternity leave, I decided to take action. I completed my 75-hour real estate license training, and by July 2023, I was officially a licensed real estate agent!
I started working in residential real estate, while Josh focused on scaling our investment portfolio.
When you work with me, you’re not just getting a real estate agent—you’re getting a trusted guide through every step of buying or selling. From strategic pricing and expert negotiations to local market insights and seamless closings, I make sure my clients feel confident and informed throughout the process.
But my role goes beyond paperwork and showings. I create powerful marketing strategies, host engaging open houses, and leverage social media to get maximum exposure for sellers. And when it comes to repairs or upgrades, I connect my clients with a network of top-tier professionals—home inspectors, pest control specialists, contractors, plumbers, electricians—you name it!
With my experience as a real estate investor, I bring an extra layer of expertise to the table. I help fellow investors analyze properties for long-term value, estimate repair costs, and think outside the box for creative deal structuring. Whether you’re buying your dream home, selling for top dollar, or growing your investment portfolio, I bring the experience and strategy to help you win in real estate.

The best part? I can do just about all of that with my (now) 2 year old in tow!
Today, Josh and I are not just building a business—we’re building a future for our family. A future filled with freedom, flexibility, and opportunities we never thought possible.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

One thing I’ve learned in real estate? You have to be ready to pivot—constantly. Problem-solving is at the heart of this business, and no two deals are ever the same.
In today’s world of social media and digital connection, one thing that still surprises me is how many people pick up the phone and call straight from a real estate sign. The first time I earned a client this way was a moment I’ll never forget.
Out of the blue, my phone rang. It was a couple inquiring about a home I had listed. They were interested in a tour, so we set it up. But after walking through, they decided it wasn’t the one.
At this point, I could have thanked them and moved on. Instead, I pivoted.
I asked a simple question: “What are you looking for?”
They hesitated. They weren’t sure about working with an agent. So, I kept it low-pressure: “If I see something that fits your needs, would you like me to send it your way?”
They agreed. A few days later, I sent them a quick text about a property I thought they’d love. They responded, we toured it, and they fell in love.
We put in an offer, negotiated terms, and everything seemed set. But then… it got rejected.
My clients were disappointed. I was disappointed. But I wasn’t about to give up.
We kept searching. House after house, tour after tour—until finally, we found the perfect one. This time, our offer was accepted!
Happily ever after? Not quite.
The seller refused to make any repairs. The negotiations were frustrating, and tensions were high. To top it off, the seller requested to stay in the home for two extra weeks after closing.
This is where real estate becomes more than just contracts and numbers—it’s about managing expectations, staying calm, and keeping the deal on track.
Through clear communication and persistence, we worked through the challenges. In the end, my clients got the home they wanted, and we avoided an epic showdown at the closing table.
It’s easy to go all out for friends, family, and referrals. But this deal reminded me that every single client—whether they come from a sign call or a personal connection—deserves the same level of dedication and care.
Real estate is about more than just buying and selling homes. It’s about trust, adaptability, and making sure every client knows you have their back—no matter what twists and turns come along the way.

Alright – let’s talk about marketing or sales – do you have any fun stories about a risk you’ve taken or something else exciting on the sales and marketing side?

Real estate transactions can be complex, but when you’re dealing with a bank-owned foreclosure, the challenges multiply—fast.
I had an investor client go under contract on a foreclosure, and from day one, it was clear this deal was going to test my patience, problem-solving skills, and communication abilities.
A typical real estate transaction involves a handful of key players. This one? It felt like a corporate boardroom.
We had:
The buyer (my client), the listing agent, the seller (a bank located in another state), a property asset manager, the lender, the closing attorney and both agents’ Brokers
With this many people in the mix, communication quickly became a nightmare.
The first hiccup? The bank wanted specific wording on the buyer/seller names, meaning we had to amend the Purchase & Sale Agreement. No big deal—until the bank’s name changed, requiring another round of amendments.
Then, just when we thought things were moving forward, we hit another hurdle:
The buyer needed to close from out of state, which meant the closing documents had to be mailed across the country, signed, sent back, and then forwarded to the bank/seller in a completely different state!
Each step in the process felt like another opportunity for something to go wrong.
There were multiple moments when I genuinely doubted whether this deal would ever make it to the finish line.
To stay on top of things, I checked in with my Broker daily, making sure everything was being handled legally and ethically. I spent hours on the phone with the:
Buyer, Listing Agent, Lender, Closing Attorney – oh my!
Each conversation brought another hurdle to overcome.
After what felt like a million phone calls, contract revisions, and overnighted documents, we finally got the clear to close!
Was it stressful? Absolutely.
Would I do it again? Without a doubt.
This deal reminded me of something critical: Real estate is about problem-solving.
Every transaction brings its own challenges, but patience, persistence, and strong communication make all the difference. And in the end, helping my client close on a great investment made it all worth it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jrbdreamteam.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realtor_rachaelboyd?igsh=MTkxcmdldGdrNG8wYQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rachael.boyd05
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@livinginnewnan?si=zJNaSe6nqOImZb7Q

Image Credits

Family photo – Nicholas Dobos Photography