How do you build a 40+ unit rental portfolio while working a full-time W2 job?

For Duane Brown, it started with a HELOC—and a serious mindset shift.

In this episode of Path of Progress, host Alex Kononov sits down with Duane Brown, a full-time electrical field engineer who went from wiring homes to owning dozens of them.

Duane shares how he used a home equity line of credit (HELOC) to buy his first multifamily deal, scaled his portfolio through strategic cash-out refis, and locked in a 5-year tax abatement that supercharged his cash flow.

With 40+ units, flips, and no partners, Duane breaks down exactly how everyday investors can get started—with no excuses.

📌 Key Takeaways:

✅ How Duane used a HELOC to buy his first multifamily deal 🏡

✅ Why he skipped single-family and went straight to multifamily 📈

✅ Building 40+ units while working 60+ hour weeks at his W2 💼

✅ How to apply (and qualify) for a 5-year tax abatement 🧾✅ The “rent = 2x mortgage” formula Duane still uses today 🔢

✅ Lessons from flipping houses and self-managing 40+ tenants 🧠

✅ The mindset shift that helped him scale from zero to 40+ doors in 6 years

📚 Book Recommendations:

– Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki

– The Millionaire Real Estate Investor by Gary Keller🌐

Connect with Duane Brown:

📸 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/mr_rentals_trenton/

🎧 Listen & Watch the Full Episode:

📺 YouTube → https://youtu.be/NXEGkSQCNPM

🎧 Spotify →

🎧 Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/path-of-progress/id1782550599#PathOfProgressPodcast, #DuaneBrown, #AlexKononov, #RealEstateInvesting, #MultifamilyInvesting, #HELOCStrategy, #W2Investor, #RentalProperty, #TaxAbatement, #BRRRRMethod, #PassiveIncome, #RealEstateMindset, #BuildWealth, #FinancialFreedom, #HouseHacking, #RealEstateStrategy, #SelfManaging, #RealEstateTips, #LongTermWealth, #RealEstatePodcast