# 3 Things We’re Doing in 2026 to Retire with Rentals (Faster) Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RtxtmJbwcc Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/_RtxtmJbwcc Generated: 2026-01-02T14:41:47.317+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview The Bigger Pockets hosts Dave Meyer, Kathy Fecky, and Henry Washington outline their 2026 real estate resolutions, focusing heavily on optimization, portfolio stabilization, and debt reduction rather than aggressive new growth to secure long-term financial freedom. **Key Points:** - Kathy Fecky's real estate resolution involves diving into AI, specifically using tools like Claude to optimize her portfolio, analyze insurance binders, and improve business financials, aiming to increase cash flow by 10% through optimization. - Henry Washington's 2026 focus shifts from growth to stabilization and protection, setting a stretch goal to pay off two properties and stabilize four assets currently bleeding money due to unforeseen issues like a $50,000 renovation cost from a flood and unauthorized remediation work. - Henry estimates he needs to complete about 15 flips, averaging $45,000 net profit each, to generate the necessary income to pay off debt and stabilize his problematic assets, aligning with his larger 10-year goal of having one-third of his portfolio paid off. - Dave Meyer's 2026 focus is enacting his 'endgame'—the third act of his investing career, which involves repositioning his portfolio over the next 5 to 10 years to hold rock-solid, low-debt assets suitable for retirement by age 53. - Dave is actively considering acquiring more rental properties now, seeing better asset quality, and exploring 15-year notes instead of traditional 30-year fixed mortgages as part of his endgame restructuring. - Both Henry and Dave agree that shifting from aggressive growth (chasing deals/flipping) to optimization and stabilization is a natural progression for seasoned investors looking toward long-term security and the ability to choose whether or not to work. - Kathy plans to optimize existing assets, citing one property where a $20,000 update could yield $100,000 in extra equity, reflecting the theme that 'more isn't always better; look at what you have and make it better.' **Context:** The Bigger Pockets podcast hosts, Dave Meyer, Kathy Fecky, and Henry Washington, recorded this episode proactively in December to discuss their New Year's resolutions for 2026, specifically concerning their real estate investing goals. The conversation centers around shifting focus from the aggressive growth strategies common in earlier investing years to strategies centered on portfolio optimization, debt management, and securing long-term financial stability. ## Detailed Analysis The hosts detail their individual 2026 real estate resolutions, revealing a collective trend toward portfolio refinement over expansion. Kathy is prioritizing AI adoption, using programs like Claude to analyze financials and insurance policies to achieve a 10% cash flow increase by optimizing existing holdings, including plans to develop a vacant lot with manufactured housing. Henry, moving into a stabilization phase, plans to pay off two properties and resolve significant issues with four underperforming assets, necessitating the completion of approximately 15 flips to fund these stabilization efforts, supporting his overarching 10-year goal of paying off a third of his portfolio for his children's legacy. Dave Meyer is entering his 'third act' or 'endgame,' aiming to spend the next decade repositioning his capital away from passive lending and back into high-quality rental properties, potentially using 15-year notes, to build a rock-solid portfolio he can retire off of. The consensus is that this shift to optimization reflects a natural stage in the investing journey where securing existing assets becomes more important than chasing new deals, though they all acknowledge they may still pursue opportunistic deals along the way. ### 2026 Resolution Theme - Optimization over Growth - Kathy focuses on AI for portfolio optimization for 10% cash flow increase - Henry focuses on stabilization and paying off debt on two properties - Dave focuses on repositioning portfolio for retirement endgame ### Kathy's AI Focus - Using Claude to analyze business financials and insurance binders - Goal is to use AI to identify underperforming assets and make better decisions - Rich used AI to optimize business operations, leading to one of their best months ### Henry's Stabilization Needs - Must stabilize four bleeding assets, including a duplex damaged by a flood requiring $50,000 in funding plus a contested $40,000 bill - Needs to complete 15 flips (avg $45k profit each) to fund stabilization and debt payoff ### Henry's Long-Term Vision - Stretch goal is to have one-third of his portfolio paid off in 10 years so his children are provided for - Acknowledges the need to re-evaluate yearly goals based on economic outlook ### Dave's Endgame Strategy - Moving into his third investing act to spend 10-15 years building a rock-solid, low-debt portfolio for retirement - Considering acquiring more rentals now and utilizing 15-year notes instead of 30-year fixed mortgages ### The Role of Flipping - Henry finds flipping tiring and aims for a point where he does not have to flip unless he wants to - Dave also tires of chasing deals and wants to focus capital on passive investing he enjoys or core rentals ### Event Promotion - Hosts promote the Cash Flow Road Show in Texas (Dallas, Austin, Houston) from January 13th to 16th, featuring meetups and a live podcast recording.