What if we said that everything you’ve been told lately about how “buying a house is not an investment” wasn’t true? In this episode of Mortgage Secrets, John Downs of Downs Capital shares three real-life examples of ordinary people building wealth through real estate—and it all started with doing the numbers, taking a leap of faith, and buying that first property.

By taking that first step, you’re on the path to building equity over time, which you can use to expand your personal empire. Whether your hesitation is fueled by a low down payment or by wanting to buy in a seller’s market, John explains why it’s probably still a good idea to invest in property sooner rather than later. They say that time solves all problems in real estate, and this episode takes a look at how and why.