From First-Time Buyer to Real Estate Wealth Builder: My Journey + How I Help Clients Do the Same

Hi there! I’m Audrey—a real estate agent, investor, and Airbnb business coach with a passion for helping others build wealth through smart real estate decisions.

For the past 15 years, I’ve been immersed in the world of real estate, turning fixer-uppers into income streams and strategic buys into long-term gains. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or a seasoned investor eyeing your next luxury property, I’m here to help you navigate the ever-changing market and craft a strategy that builds real, lasting wealth.

Discover how I grew my $90k starter home into a seven-figure real estate investment empire.

Curious how I did it? Here’s my story…

YEAR 1-5

At just 21, I bought my first home for $90,000—a foreclosure—while finishing my degree in interior design at Michigan State University. I barely qualified for a mortgage, but I knew one thing: paying rent wouldn’t lead to financial freedom. I needed to build equity. So I dove in.

While working full-time as a kitchen and bath designer, I spent six years remodeling that home. I upgraded everything from the kitchen and bathrooms to the landscaping and outdoor living spaces. I also invested in a 20-acre parcel of vacant land on the side.

When it was time to move on with my growing family, I sold my first house for a $50,000 profit! I only used a fraction of that as a down payment on my next home. Not long after, I sold my land for a $20,000 gain. It felt amazing! I had earned my first $75,000 through real estate investing by age 27.

I was hooked.

YEAR 5-10

Next came my first multi-family property, then a second. Within two years, I had built $25,000 in annual passive income from long-term rentals. I also started my blog, Modern Frontierswoman, which provided an additional stream of income.

It was an incredible learning experience. But I wanted more flexibility—and more growth.

I decided to take a giant leap into the world of short term rentals, scouring the entire state of Michigan for my perfect diamond in the rough. 

YEAR 10-15

After an intense search, I found it—Beaver Tail Lodge—a neglected log cabin in a prime vacation spot. I hired an amazing property manager, Evolve Vacations, and a local cleaning company, Top Shelf Cleaning Services, to help me run my business remotely. After a 9-month renovation, I launched on Airbnb and began bringing in an average of $50,000 a year in net income.

By 32, I was earning $75,000 in passive income annually—something that had once seemed impossible.

Still, I wanted a new challenge. I sold my long-term rentals, pocketed $70,000 in proceeds, and purchased a dreamy beachfront property on Lake Michigan: Big Water Beach House. It was a year-long labor of love, but it paid off—bringing in $240,000 in gross bookings before selling for a $475,000 profit just 18 months after launch.

Check out the $1.6M sale on Zillow.

Since I started my vacation rental business less than 5 years ago, my Airbnb properties have grossed over $650,000 in rent. 

(My business stats as of 4/9/2025)

My mission? To help my clients build wealth through real estate!

I'm more than a licensed real estate agent. I also offer business coaching for short-term rental owners and investors. 

Through buying, selling, and investing, I teach others how to create:

• Six-figure equity gains through appreciation and smart renovations

• A reliable nest egg for reinvestment and growth

• Tax write-offs, depreciation, and long-term wealth protection

• Passive income from rentals

• Mortgage pay-downs—using other people’s money

Whether it’s your first home or your tenth investment property, real estate is one of the most powerful tools for building a legacy—and I’m here to help you make the most of it.

Why Work with Me?

• 15+ years of hands-on real estate investing experience

• Expertise in short-term and long-term rental strategies

• Design-savvy with an interior design degree from MSU

• Deep understanding of equity-building renovations

• Transparent, personalized guidance at every step

Think of real estate investing like a life-sized game of Monopoly:

You have to collect rent and pass “Go” a few times before you can buy Park Place. But with the right strategy—and a knowledgeable agent on your side—you’ll get there faster than you think.

Ready to start building your real estate empire?

Let’s talk. Schedule your free consultation with me today.