How did Dave Ramsey lose his money in real estate?

Asked by: Cordelia Hoppe  |  Last update: January 12, 2026
Score: 4.3/5 (38 votes)

Ramsey went on to describe how the house he purchased needed far more labor, capital and time than he'd anticipated. He also shared how he miscalculated the value of his own labor as he repaired the property.

Does Dave Ramsey own 600 million in real estate?

Dave Ramsey isn't just any financial guru – he's a powerhouse who reportedly owns $600 million in real estate, all bought in cash. Known for his unfiltered advice to callers, he usually sticks to helping others get their finances straight.

What does Dave Ramsey say to do with money?

Give 15% of Every Paycheck to Your Future Self

Once you're free of debt and sitting on enough savings to survive at least a quarter of a year, Ramsey says the most important thing you can do with your paycheck is to save 15% of it — each and every pay period — in a tax-advantaged account.

What does Dave Ramsey say about paying off your house?

Opportunity costs To be fair, Ramsey does not advise paying off your mortgage as a first step. He wants you to pay off all of your other debt first and then start setting aside 15% of your money to stick in mutual funds. Only after you do these things does he tell you to pay off your mortgage.

What is the rule of 72 Dave Ramsey?

You divide 72 by the rate of return you get on an investment. That number is about how many years it will take for your investments to double in value. There are a few problems with this. First, numbers and averages aren't the same things.

We are $2 Billion in Debt, Here’s What Banks Don't Want You Know about Money

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How to pay off a 300k mortgage in 5 years?

Let's go over five not-so-secret but super helpful tips for making that happen.
  1. Make extra house payments. ...
  2. Make extra room in your budget. ...
  3. Refinance (or pretend you did). ...
  4. Downsize. ...
  5. Put extra income toward your mortgage.

What is the 50% rule in real estate?

The 50% rule or 50 rule in real estate says that half of the gross income generated by a rental property should be allocated to operating expenses when determining profitability. The rule is designed to help investors avoid the mistake of underestimating expenses and overestimating profits.

What is the Rule of 72 in real estate?

Here's how the Rule of 72 works. You take the number 72 and divide it by the investment's projected annual return. The result is the number of years, approximately, it'll take for your money to double.

What does Dave Ramsey say about cars?

Check Out: 9 Things You Must Do To Grow Your Wealth in 2024

And cars, trucks and things with motors depreciate big time,” Ramsey posted on X. According to a post on Ramsey Solutions, if you wonder what type of car you can afford, the answer is simple: “The car you can afford is the car you can pay for in cash.”

What was Dave Ramsey's biggest lesson?

Living a debt-free life is one of Dave Ramsey's top priorities. In fact, it's the second of his seven “Baby Steps” to taking control of your finances. Steven Kibbel, a certified financial planner and financial advisor at Prop Firm App, said it's also one of the greatest lessons he's picked up from Ramsey.

How much does Dave Ramsey say to have in savings?

How Much You Should Have in Your Emergency Savings. Here's a Dave Ramsey principle we agree with: If you make less than $20,000 per year, aim to have at least $500 in emergency savings. If you make more than $20,000, then aim for at least $1,000.

What is the rule of 55 Dave Ramsey?

That's how much you should have in your bridge account so you can live comfortably until you're able to access your retirement accounts without penalty. For example, let's say you want to retire early at age 55. That means you need to have enough money in your bridge account to last about 4 1/2 years.

Is Dave Ramsey a Democrat or Republican?

Ramsey has publicly stated he would vote for Republican Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election, but also plainly said that people should vote for which candidate best aligns with their political values.

How did Dave Ramsey lose money in real estate?

In 1988, personal finance author and radio host Dave Ramsey, at 28 years of age, lost the $4 million he was worth in real estate when banks began aggressively asking for loans to be paid back. He was forced to file for bankruptcy.

Who is the richest real estate investor in the US?

The Top 10 Real Estate Titans
  • Donald Bren – Net worth: $18 billion | Residence: Newport Beach, California. ...
  • Stephen Ross – Net worth: $10.1 billion | Residence: New York, New York. ...
  • Leonard Stern – Net worth: $8.1 billion | Residence: New York, New York.

What is the golden rule in real estate?

Corcoran's Golden Rule: a 2-Step Strategy

The first part is good advice for any real estate purchase: make a 20% down payment. The second part is renting the property out to tenants for enough to cover the mortgage, even if you don't profit initially.

What is the 7 year doubling rule?

The Rule of 72 is a simple way to estimate how long it will take your investments to double by dividing 72 by your expected annual return rate. Higher-risk investments like stocks have historically doubled money faster (around seven years) compared with lower-risk options like bonds (around 12 years).

What is the 80% rule in real estate?

It's the idea that 80% of outcomes are driven from 20% of the input or effort in any given situation.

What are the 5 golden rules of real estate?

Key Considerations: Proximity to essentials, transport connectivity, neighborhood quality, and future developmental prospects. Base your decisions on data, not on gut feeling. Essential Tools: Market studies, comparative analyses, and on-ground visits.

Is 50 too late to invest in real estate?

Whether you're in your twenties, forties or even beyond, there's no such thing as being too late to start investing in real estate.

What is the number one rule in real estate?

The 1% rule of real estate investing measures the price of an investment property against the gross income it can generate. For a potential investment to pass the 1% rule, its monthly rent must equal at least 1% of the purchase price.

What happens if I pay an extra $100 a month on my mortgage?

If you pay $100 extra each month towards principal, you can cut your loan term by more than 4.5 years and reduce the interest paid by more than $26,500. If you pay $200 extra a month towards principal, you can cut your loan term by more than 8 years and reduce the interest paid by more than $44,000.

Does Dave Ramsey recommend paying off a mortgage?

Dave Ramsey, the renowned financial guru, has long been a proponent of financial discipline and savvy money management. This can include paying off your mortgage early, but only under specific financial circumstances.

What is the loophole to pay off your mortgage early?

Another way to shorten your repayment schedule is to pay more than the monthly amount you agreed to. That will shrink your total balance, which has the added benefit of reducing the interest you'll pay over the life of your mortgage. Make sure you indicate that you want the extra funds to go toward the principal.