The Luceros immigrated to the US 2011 to have a better future for their family and to have their eldest daughter treated with a rare disease. They came as an H1 Visa and worked in Agriculture as a pig farm manager with $300 pocket money. The Luceros are retired from our W2 job and are doing real estate full time.
Here’s some of the topics we covered:
- Immigrating To America
- Flipping Houses and Moving To Multifamily
- Finding a Team and Adding Value
- Balancing Your Work Life and Your Family Life
- Having a Coach to Mentor You At Your Passion
- Taking Care Of Your Health
- Defining Success
To Apply for The Warrior Program: Text CRUSH to 72345 and we’ll help you crush it in this business.
Full Transcript Below
Intro
Hi. My name is Rod Khleif, and I’m the host of “The Lifetime Cash Flow Through Real Estate Investing” podcast. And every week, I interview Multifamily Rock Stars, and we talk about how they’ve built incredible wealth for themselves and their families through multifamily properties. So hit the “Like” and “Subscribe” buttons to get notified every Monday when a new episode comes out. Let’s get to it.
Rod
Welcome back to Multifamily Rock Stars. So, as you guys know, this is where we interview people that are crushing it in this business. And we show you the inside scoop how, you know, multifamily investors are creating massive success not just in their businesses, but also in their lives. And as always, I’ve got the co-host, who’s also the director of our Massive Action Team for my Warrior group, Mark Nagy on. Hey, Mark.
Mark
Hey, Rod. Happy to be here. Excited for this call. I was reading through their bio– I know these two personally, but reading through their bio, I did not know that ten years ago, they showed up here with $300 to their name, apparently, and hearing where they’re at today, it’s a super cool story. And I’ll let them get into it.
Rod
Now, multimillionaires. No, it’s fantastic. So we’ve got Michael and Regina Lucero. I think they became Warriors right before COVID hit in 2021. And yet, like me, they are immigrants, and so I love that. And they’re now in 569 units, 180 of those approximately as General Partners. And, you know, very excited to have you guys on. Welcome to the show.
Michael
All right. Thank you, Rod. Thank you, Mark, for inviting us. This is really a dream come true for us.
Regina
Thank you, Rod. Thank you, Mark.
Rod
Oh, that’s very sweet. Thank you. Well, you told me before we started recording that this was on your vision board. Yes?
Michael
Yes, exactly.
Rod
Wow.
Michael
So right after joining the Warrior group, I put it– actually, it’s here in my– one of my books, and I think it’s– I would like to share it.
Rod
Okay.
Michael
I cut out your picture here. Where is that? Here you go.
Rod
Oh, wow. Look at that. Oh, that’s awesome.
Michael
And my picture at the same time.
Rod
So for those of you that can’t see this, he’s got a picture probably from YouTube of an interview and plugged himself in as the person being interviewed. That is freaking awesome, brother. That is awesome. You know, it’s funny, I’ve got mine in the back of my book here, and I’ll just show you something funny. The one thing I didn’t reach yet is– well, it’s not even there anymore. I got the guy with a six pack. I used to have my face above the six pack. Now I haven’t gotten the six pack yet, but everything else in there I’ve gotten. Okay? But anyway, it’s probably under there. It’s under a layer of something. But anyway, so, welcome to the show and so excited that you’re here and so excited that, you know, this was really a goal for you, an outcome for you, and you made it happen. So why don’t you take us back and tell us your story? You’ve got some pretty extraordinary stuff in your bio here that I’d love the audience to hear. You know, about your daughter, about, you know, how you came here, what you did when you came here, and then bring us into your real estate journey and just take a few minutes and talk about that.
Michael
Yes. Thank you, Rod.
Regina
Thank you, Rod, for having us here. Thank you, Mark. It’s our dream come true to get interviewed by you. It was just a dream before, but now we’re here sharing our stories to everyone. So I think Michael can share our story, then.
Michael
Yeah.
Rod
Okay.
Michael
So, yeah, about 2011, when we first came here, but prior to that, our eldest daughter has this rare condition that there are only two doctors in the Philippines. By the way, we’re from the Philippines.
Rod
Got you.
Michael
And we’re from the south, and the doctor requires us to travel every few weeks, and we cannot afford it. Yeah, so that’s why I told Regina, I was working also already on the livestock industry out there.
Rod
Okay. So, hold on one second. Just so I’m going to transcribe something you just said. So your daughter has a rare disease, and you had to travel to see the doctor, which was a real burden for you.
Michael
Right.
Rod
Okay. Got it. And you’ve been in the agricultural– you know agriculture was your field, right?
Michael
Yes sir.
Rod
Okay. Please continue.
Michael
Yes. So then afterwards, it’s not feasible for us because even though– for the salary I do have in the Philippines, it’s not enough for us to– how do you say it, do the treatment.
Regina
It’s $500 a week.
Michael
Yeah.
Rod
Okay. Well, $500 a week. Okay. And you couldn’t afford it. Got it.
Regina
We couldn’t afford it.
Rod
Got it. Okay.
Michael
Yeah, So I told Regina to start applying. I left her my resume and application, and she just sent it. And eventually one of the farms, which is one of the biggest operations here in the US, how do you say it, take a look at my credentials. And they gave me an opportunity to come over here. And one of the doctors that we do have also, local in the south, his rheumatoid– but it’s for adults, so she’s not– how do you say feet doctor for my daughter, but she recommended that if we have an opportunity to come in the US, go to North Carolina, where the Duke is that specializes for children. And we’re so blessed that God allows us, to how do you say it, to be relocated here in North Carolina.
Rod
Right.
Michael
So since then, it took us a while for us to get the right medicine for her, but eventually, how do you say it, with prayers and, you know, patience and support and all this stuff we–
Rod
And so you took her to Duke? Yes? Is that correct?
Michael
Yes. Correct.
Rod
Okay. Which is– I mean, as good as it gets. So, just the bottom line, have they stabilized her? Is she doing well now?
Michael
Yes.
Regina
Doing well, yeah.
Rod
Oh, fantastic.
Michael
Praise God because she’s completely healed. They told us there are three ways it’s going to go. It’s either it’s going to be a lifetime to be like that, or it’s going to be recurring, or the third part will be completely healed. So since we tape her off, we completely stopped the medication. Until now she’s really doing really great.
Rod
Oh, fantastic. Fantastic news. That’s fantastic news. So talk now about your real estate journey.
Michael
Okay, so 2019, since I’m working on the livestock, and me and Regina–
Rod
By the way, he’s a pig farmer, guys. Okay? So don’t tell me what you can’t do. Okay? So you’re in agriculture. I mean, that’s a first for me. I’ve never met a pig farmer. So awesome. Okay, I interrupted. Please continue. Talk about how you got into real estate.
Michael
Yeah, so I was working also– that’s my full-time W-2 job and Regina is also in the hospital. So we are not meeting each other because she leaves late in the afternoon. I leave around early in the morning, really early. By the time I’m going to come back home, I’m so tired. I don’t have enough time, energy to spend time with my kids. And as what you can see, we got four kids in the background.
Rod
Right.
Michael
Yeah. It’s like I told her, this is not sustainable, so why don’t we try to do real estate? And we tried to flip one in 2019, so we started a single-family. We flip one, then eventually, I told Regina, actually this one really– how do you say it, I think this is a good vehicle for us to get what we wanted. But in order for us to get started, we did not set our standards high. And I told her if we earn at least $5,000 or even, we break even on the flip, as long as we understand the process, I think we’re good. I think that’s the best way for us to learn.
Rod
Right.
Michael
In 2019, we end up flipping too.
Rod
Okay.
Michael
Then, I told her– so instead of us earning $5,000, it’s way more. So I told her, yeah, we can do this, how do you say it, on after our W-2 job.
Rod
Okay, so you kept flipping.
Michael
Yes, correct.
Rod
Okay.
Rod
And I mean, correct me if I’m wrong, you actually have a meet-up where you teach people about flipping. It’s called Flipping 101, right, for beginners.
Michael
Yes. Correct.
Rod
Right. Fantastic. So not only are you doing it yourself, you’re helping other people do it. So let me ask you this. Why multifamily?
Regina
So the first thing we came across on multifamily is we get these eight units from our leads on single-family, and we don’t know what to do with that eight units. So I researched, how can we get financing for these eight units. It’s a commercial. It’s different from a single-family. So I came across with, I think on Facebook, and I see your name, and then, who’s this guy? And then, lifetime cash flow. So I listened to that podcast, and I told Michael, you have to listen to this.
Rod
And it’s been all downhill since there. I know.
Regina
Yes.
Rod
Right.
Michael
Yeah.
Rod
So you started listening, and then at some point, you must have texted “Crush” to talk to Mark.
Regina
Yes.
Rod
Yeah. So you texted “Crush”. And by the way, guys, if you are– you know, they’re obviously Warriors. If you’re ever interested in our Warrior program to apply, that’s what you do, you text “Crush” to “72345”, and then, you know, we check you out. You check us out, and then if it’s a fit, then we bring you on. And they we’re– in the Warrior program, we’re upwards of, I think around somewhere around 130,000 units, I believe, at this point that we know of. So it’s just extraordinary. Somewhere between 120 and 130. I might be exaggerating a little bit, but it’s way up there, and I’ve only been teaching five years, so I’m super, super proud of that. But again, if you’re interested in applying, text the word “Crush”. So you did that and then you joined the Warrior program. Yes?
Regina
So Zach interviewed us, and then he said, oh, we have a boot camp. And then during the interview, I said, I couldn’t wait until the boot camp. I want to join now.
Rod
Okay.
Regina
So we joined the boot camp– The Lifetime Cash Flow before the boot camp.
Rod
So you joined the Warrior program before the boot camp.
Regina
Yes.
Rod
Got it. Well, that’s awesome. Yeah. And by the way, guys, this will go out before our next boot camp. We’ve got one coming up, and we’ve already had over 400 tickets sold. It’s January 21st and 22nd, and it’s virtual. It’s two days. And if you go to “RodsLinks.com”, “RodsLinks.com”, the boot camp site, is there, and the reason I send people there now is there’s a bunch of free resources as well. So if you’re interested in this business, bunch of free stuff there. Also, my goal-setting workshop is at the bottom, which I’m redoing again on New Year’s Day this year. So there’s a lot of free stuff, free books, things like that. But the boot camp is still only $97, so it’s kind of a no-brainer because I don’t sell anything there, and it’s drinking through a fire hose. Did you guys enjoy the boot camp, by the way?
Regina
Yes, I do.
Michael
Yes sir.
Rod
Okay.
Regina
The first boot camp was the virtual, but like it fires us up.
Rod
Yeah. Thank you. So you got into the Warrior program, tell us a little bit about what you did, how– you know, because I know you’ve done deals with Warriors. All the deals you’ve done since then have been with Warriors. So talk about how you made that happen.
Regina
So the first deal that we have is we Joint Ventures with our mentor and also some of the Warriors, and then from there, it starts our journey with multifamily.
Mark
So how did you guys decide how to do that? What were some of the things you guys looked for when you found those partners and other people to work with?
Regina
We look at like we have the same value and we have different talents. So some of our partners, they’re good in networking, and also we–
Rod
So what are you guys good at? Would you explain that?
Mark
Yeah.
Michael
So I would say, Rod because of my background in flipping, so probably helped identify things or stuff during due diligence on the property.
Rod
Things that need to be taken care of, repaired.
Michael
Yes, correct.
Rod
Maybe helping with the asset management after the fact as well.
Michael
Correct.
Rod
Making sure things get fixed properly. Yeah. And guys, just so you know, I know you’ve heard it, Ad Nauseam on the show, but I’m going to say it again because it’s the truth. And that is this business is a team sport and so you can hear how they got into a team and saw where they could add value. And, you know, maybe someone else is bringing the deal, somebody else is raising the money. Maybe you guys are doing pieces of that as well. But, you know, there are just a lot of hats you can wear. Somebody’s doing the underwriting and evaluating the numbers. So there are lots of different hats you can wear in this business. So, you know, what do you think has been the toughest part for you? What do you think has been the hardest?
Michael
Probably– on our journey, Rod, the change in mindset. That’s the biggest thing. Because in single-family, it’s like it’s me, me, me. Mine, mine, mine. But I would say the Warrior group, it’s not a group to me, I feel it’s a community because everyone is genuinely helping each other. Regardless of how big, small, new, or old you are in, in the community, everyone is willing to help. So the value of– like the mindset of abundance, that’s not– we’re not so familiar with that before because we’re on a single-family, but when we experience it in multifamily, that’s just opened up a lot of opportunities and possibilities and lifetime partners, friends in multifamily
Rod
And I’ll tell you, it is a struggle sometimes for people to get past that because you know in the single-family space like you say, do everything yourself. I bought literally 2,000 houses, rented long-term myself. I mean, I had some employees and stuff, but it was pretty much all me. And it was a real mindset shift for me to really go big in multifamily as well. So I can totally understand that. So that was a struggle. Go ahead, Mark. I’ve been talking all the questions.
Mark
No, that’s okay. So for the people that are new, that maybe haven’t done any single or multifamily at all, what would you maybe advise them as their first step that they should take or even the first thing that they should learn?
Rod
Good question.
Michael
I think they need to find what their goal is. You know, if it’s their family, what’s their goal? Then start working towards it. Let’s say, for example– a good example would be me and Regina is like– by the way, February, when we join, I tender my resignation by April.
Rod
No kidding. Wow.
Michael
Yes, sir.
Rod
Wow. Good for you. Now, I don’t recommend you do that until you’ve replaced your income.
Regina
I know.
Rod
You know that, guys. So those of you listening, don’t go out and quit your jobs, but, you know, once you’ve replaced your income, hel– for sure. So fantastic. So, did he answer the question or were you finished? I can’t remember what the question was. Okay, all right, forgive me, I’m a little slow. So, you know, we have a lot of people that listen to this show that have not taken action yet, that know they need to take action. And, you know, what might you say to those people that haven’t done this yet?
Michael
So for the people that haven’t started, like me and Regina, we’re no special person. I am also introverted before, I have– the same as you guys. We have four kids, and we have full-time, W-2 when we started, we just, you know, decided that, okay, this is a great vehicle for us, for our financial– how do you say– financial future.
Rod
Future. Really. Yeah. Just your future. Sure.
Michael
We surround ourselves with the people that actually crushing it in the business because that’s how you learn. And I also love when you said that you love your family sometimes from a distance.
Rod
Yeah. Sometimes you have to because they’re fearful. Yeah.
Mark
So, yeah, one thing you touched on there, which is really, really interesting there, is you said that, hey, you guys are introverts, but you also said that you’ve done deals with other people. You’re in the community. You guys also hold a meet-up now. And I know I hear that a lot from people. It’s like, oh, I’m introverted. How do I build a team? How did you guys kind of break out of that introverted shell and kind of get into all those things that you just mentioned?
Rod
Yeah.
Michael
I would say if your intention is really to help, being introverted, to begin with, you’re going to learn how to genuinely share, if not– the experiences that you encountered and also the seminars that you encountered that you would like them to, how do you say it, to avoid. Because I think that’s our purpose also. It’s not only us being, like, on grabbing ourselves, pulling ourselves up, but we need to grab also other people with our level also.
Rod
Oh, I love that. I love that answer. Love that answer, guys, which is why you’re successful. You know, I don’t know if I’ve mentioned this recently, but we had our boot camp in Denver, and we had a hall of Fame for the– you know, we picked ten Warriors that we really thought were exceptional, and not just because they had a lot of doors, some of them, just because they helped other Warriors. And we did little PowerPoint slides for each one of them. And I saw a pattern. Every single one of them does something to help other people. I mean, if it’s veterans, suicide veterans, homelessness, sexual trafficking, if it’s building schools, every single one of them. It was extraordinary. Guys, you know, those are listening, that’s a clue. Okay? This is what we call a freaking clue. So, love it. What is the motivation right now? What is the why? I mean, you came on to the podcast. So that’s done. That’s checked off the bucket list. You know, what is driving this? Is it family? I assume that’s what it is, but I don’t want to assume.
Regina
Giving back.
Rod
Giving back.
Regina
Giving back to the community. Actually, we already put up a non-profit organization with some of our Warriors’ friends and we’re focusing on medical to the poor. Give back. Like help the people because we’ve been there. We don’t have anything before we came here. So now it’s our time to give back. That’s the main goal we’re having right now.
Rod
I love that. That’s so freaking awesome. I can’t even tell you how awesome that is.
Mark
And one thing we haven’t even touched on is you guys. Right? I know Michael, you mentioned you’ve left your job. Correct me if I’m wrong, both you guys have quit your W-2 jobs. Correct?
Regina
Yes.
Mark
Coming from basically nothing, what milestones were hit to make that happen? At what point did you say, okay, now is the time where we’re quitting our jobs? What happened?
Regina
The time when I had my first high performance coaching and I have the mindset–
Rod
High performance–
Regina
Yeah. High performance coaching with [inaudible]. I think that’s the time. And I said, like, we have the mindset, we need to do this and the goal is there. I know there are bumps, but we already know also that we can do it.
Rod
That you could do it. So what she’s talking about, guys, is in our Warrior program, we also don’t just teach the technical side of things. We have high performance calls. You know, so you take action with what you get. And so, you know, it’s very rarely comes up on the show here. But, you know, that’s just one of the– it’s kind of like a bonus. And we do really small group calls for those and they’re extraordinary. I mean, some people, Warriors, tell me they get more out of that than they do the financial gains that they make. Well, that’s an awesome answer, but, you know, one question I have for you is in this journey of yours, were there any epiphanies and what I mean, were there any like, aha, now I get it moments, you know, where you’re like, okay, now I get it. Talk about that. Maybe you already have. But if anything comes to mind.
Michael
I would say the importance of coach in your journey. Because if somebody is guiding you all throughout and somebody is telling you not to do this and which one to do for you to reach your goal faster, I think that would be a lot of value should be considered about getting coaches. So it doesn’t matter what field they’re in right now, but actually having a coach that we’re going to nurture you and correct you if you’re doing something wrong or off track.
Rod
Yeah, well, I mean, thank you. Obviously, I’m going to say yeah to that because I’m a coach, but I’m going to tell you that I have coaches myself right now, actually. And I’ve had them throughout my whole lifetime. You know, it’s Michael Jordan had five coaches. Okay? He’s the best in the freaking world at what he does. He had his head coach, he had a nutrition coach, a relationship coach, assistant coach. I know a Physical Therapy coach. I mean, they had coaches for every aspect. And again, he’s the best in the world at what he does. So yeah, that’s a great answer.
Mark
So why do you guys feel that way? Where do you think you would be today if you did it on your own and you didn’t have someone to help you?
Regina
One good example, when Zack told us that because he asked how many units would you like to get before the end of the year. And since we don’t have any experience at all in multifamily, we told Zach, okay, look, 20, because that seems so big to us. Then when Zack told us, look, 20 and 200 is the same. So we’re like, okay? So like, me and Regina is like, okay, let’s go 200. Okay, we’ll do 200.
Rod
Wow. So by the way, Zack, is on our massive action team. That’s who he’s talking about. And so you said 20 and he said come on, add a zero. Okay. And now you’re at 569. Good Lord. That’s fantastic, guys. So incredible. So you said get a coach. That’s right. You know, what did you have to sacrifice or give up, if anything, to achieve this success? Was there any sacrifices that you had to make?
Michael
Sacrifices? So for me, probably, you know, for all the things that are unnecessary that I love to do before, and it’s not making me healthy or, you know, staying late night and all the stuff, not even eating good quality foods.
Rod
Right.
Michael
So those kind of stuff. So for me, it’s not a sacrifice, but it’s a turning point for me, too. You know, I need to take care of my body because this is the only thing that I have that– and I have four kids that I would like to spend like–
Rod
Great answer. In fact, I just– I don’t know if the email already went out. I just sent out my juicing video where I have vegetable juice every morning and I just sent that video to all the Warriors. If it didn’t go out, it’s going out today or tomorrow. Although I have black hair, it didn’t help me with the hair because I did it like four years ago and it’s like– I’ve gone completely gray since then. But, you know, I’ve got a wife that’s 23 years younger than I am and it’s how I’ve stayed healthy, is, you know, exercising, that nasty vegetables shake every morning. But that’s a great answer. And guys, here’s the thing, those of you listening. If you’re willing to grind for a few years, like most people won’t, you can live the rest of your life like most people can’t. But to grind, you’ve got to have energy. And especially if you’ve got a full-time job, you’ve got kids, you’ve got a spouse, and then you’re trying to do this as a side hustle, take some incredible energy. And the only way you have energy is if you’re healthy. So, you know, that’s a really good answer. So, you know, I’m down to last question or two. I want to ask you, what is your definition of success?
Regina
For me, a definition of success is to help someone.
Rod
Same answer. Okay. Same answer. To help people. You know, you guys are going to be so incredibly successful over your lifetimes because of that frame of mind. Just incredible. Well, listen, it is a treat to see you again, and we really appreciate having you on the show. And I know you’ve inspired people. And guys, you know, get the memo. You know, we all feel like we have to achieve, achieve, achieve to be happy. But if you’re giving back, you’re happily achieving and you’re going to get there so much faster. That’s just the way God of the Universe works. And so, as evidenced to buy these two beautiful souls here. Well, listen, it’s great to see you guys. Thank you for coming on, and I’m sure I’ll see you again soon. Mark, I’ll see you later, buddy. Thank, guys.
Mark
Yeah, thanks, guys.
Rod
All right. Thanks.
Regina
Thank you, Rod. Thank you, Mark.
Michael
Thank you, Rod. Thank you, Mark.
Rod
Okay, guys, thanks. See you.
Outro
Rod, I know a lot of our listeners are wanting to take their multifamily investing business to the next level. Now, I know you’ve been hard at work helping our Warrior students do just that using our “ACT” methodology which is Awareness, Close, and transform. Can you explain to the listeners how they can get our help?
Rod
You bet. Guys, we’ve been going non-stop for three years building an amazing community of like-minded people, and our coaching students which we call our Warriors have had extraordinary results. They’ve purchased thousands and thousands of units and last year we did over 1,000 units with our students. And we’re looking to grow this group and take it to the next level. We’re looking for people who want to follow a proven framework that’s really step by step and then leverage our systems and network to raise equity, to find and close deals, and to build partnerships nationwide. Now, our Warrior community is finding success in any market cycle. So if you’re interested in finding out more about how you can become more of our incredible network and take advantage of the incredible opportunities that are coming very soon, apply to work with us at “MentorWithRod.com” or text the word “CRUSH” to “72345”, and we’ll set up a call so you can check us out and we can check you out. Again, to apply, text “CRUSH” to “72345”.
