The Retirement Catch-Up Plan

5 Real Estate Moves That Still Work After 50 (Without Betting the Farm)

It’s Not Too Late, But You Must Move Differently

We meet investors every day who feel “behind.” They look at their 401(k), then at the calendar, and the math just doesn’t add up. They feel the pressure to do something big, but the fear of losing what they do have paralyzes them.

We understand. When you’re 20, you can afford to lose it all and start over. When you’re 50+, you can’t.

But here is the truth: You don’t need 30 years to build financial freedom. You just need density.

You need strategies that prioritize cash flow now over “maybe-appreciation” later.
This guide isn’t about gambling your nest egg on a risky flip. It’s about the 5 specific real estate moves we teach to generate income safely. These are the moves that work when you have more wisdom than time.

Let’s catch you up.

The BFRE Team

MOVE #1: Creative Financing (The “Nest Egg” Protector)

The Strategy: Buying properties “Subject-To” the existing mortgage or using Seller Finance.

Why It Works for You: At 50+, the biggest risk is draining your liquid savings for a 20% down payment or getting rejected by a bank because you’re “retired” or between jobs. Creative financing allows you to take over a property’s payments without using your own credit or dumping $50k of your hard-earned cash into a down payment.

- The “Catch-Up” Factor: You keep your cash in the bank for emergencies while acquiring assets that cash flow from Day 1. It’s high growth with low capital risk.

MOVE #2: Mid-Term Rentals (The Income Multiplier)

The Strategy: Renting to travel nurses, corporate relocations, or displaced families for 30-90 days (furnished). Why It Works for You: Long-term rentals are slow and steady. Short-term rentals (Airbnb) can feel like a second job. We believe the “Mid-Term” rental is the sweet spot.

You get 2x the rent of a regular tenant, but with professional tenants who stay for months, not days.

- The “Catch-Up” Factor: One mid-term rental can often generate the same net profit as three regular rentals. You need fewer houses to reach your retirement number.

MOVE #3: Private Money Lending (Be The Bank)

The Strategy: Lending money from your SDIRA (Self-Directed IRA) or savings to other investors, secured by a mortgage on their property. Why It Works for You: When Jacque retired in 2022, the earning didn’t stop, she just moved to the other side of the table. If you have a 401(k) or savings that is earning 4% in the stock market, you can lend it to a rehabber at 10-12% interest. It is secured by real estate, so if they don’t pay, you get the house.

- The “Catch-Up” Factor: This is true passive income. No toilets, no tenants, just checks. It’s the ultimate retirement move.

MOVE #4: Wholesaling (The Cash Injection)

The Strategy: Finding discounted properties, getting them under contract, and assigning that contract to a buyer for a fee ($5k-$20k). Why It Works for You: Maybe you don’t have a nest egg to invest yet. Wholesaling requires hustle, not money. It is the fastest way to generate chunks of cash to pay off your own mortgage or fund your first rental.

- The “Catch-Up” Factor: It is risk-free capital generation. You never own the house, so you’re never stuck with the repair bill.

MOVE #5: The “1.20 DSCR” Buy & Hold

The Strategy: Buying standard rentals, but only if they meet strict safety criteria (Debt Service Coverage Ratio of 1.20+). Why It Works for You: The mistake most older investors make is buying “pretty” houses that barely break even, hoping they go up in value. That is speculation, not investing. We teach our students to only buy if the rent covers the mortgage + expenses + a 20% safety margin.

- The “Catch-Up” Factor: It prevents the one thing that kills a retirement plan: Negative Cash Flow. This move ensures every asset pays you to own it.

Your Next Step: Stop Guessing, Start Calculating

Now you know the moves. But do you know your number?

You can’t build a bridge if you don’t know how wide the river is. Before you buy your first (or next) property, you need to know exactly how much monthly cash flow you need to fill your “Retirement Gap.”

We’ve created a Retirement Gap Analysis tool to help you find that number in less than 10 minutes.