Physician couple Letizia Alto and Kenji Asakura, who reached the heights of their medical careers as hospitalists, found themselves grappling with the long hours and demands of their professions. To carve out quality time together, they were forced to schedule their days in advance—a challenging situation considering they did not yet have children. The couple routinely worked more than 80 hours a week, ultimately prompting them to reassess their aspirations.
Realization struck when a conversation about their future revealed stark differences between their hectic work lives and Letizia’s dream of spending extended periods in Italy producing olive oil and hosting friends. This pivotal moment led them to explore alternative income streams to gain the freedom to pursue their passions without the constraints of their medical jobs.
During their honeymoon in New Zealand, they delved into “Rich Dad Poor Dad,” a book that articulated their situation as employees trading time for money. They realized that for Letizia to achieve her vision of living and working in Italy, they would need to establish a secondary income source. Thus, they made the decision to invest in real estate upon returning to Seattle.
Kenji’s background offered a strong foundation for their plans. He had previously dabbled in real estate from a young age, influenced by his parents’ investment endeavors. Despite facing setbacks during the recession that left him upside down on several properties, Kenji’s confidence in real estate investment remained intact, as he viewed his early mistakes as critical lessons.
The couple turned their focus to buying investment properties instead of a primary residence. They set concrete goals for their real estate portfolio—aiming for particular cash flow figures and property units. Their strategy emphasized cash flow and forced appreciation, applying methods to predict property performance while considering potential upgrades that would enhance value.
Starting in 2015, they successfully purchased duplexes and gradually expanded their portfolio, which included small, undervalued multi-family properties. By 2017, they were generating six figures in rental income and ultimately launched the blog “Semi-Retired MD” to educate fellow doctors and high-income earners about real estate investing. Their portfolio has since grown, with ownership of over 150 personal units and involvement in over 400 syndication doors by 2021.
Now residing in Puerto Rico, Alto and Asakura enjoy a lifestyle that allows them to spend quality time with their children, homeschooling them and traveling for half the year as a family. Reflecting on their previous work lives, Kenji expressed relief at avoiding the grueling cycle of long hospital shifts, which he believes would have deprived them of their family time. Letizia echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that their successful real estate journey has not just afforded them financial freedom but also the ability to contribute to their community and engage more deeply with their personal lives.
This inspiring story illustrates the potential for professionals to pivot from traditional careers into entrepreneurial ventures that align with their values and life goals while maintaining a balance between work, family, and personal fulfillment.