From professional sailing to apartment ownership.

A different plan for the future

Originally from Brisbane, Australia, Phil built a career in professional sailing after playing rugby. Years of competition and time away from home led him to think about what he wanted next: more time with his family and an income that would not always depend on physical work.

His earlier member account described preparing to close a 10-unit property. In the interview with Christian, Phil confirms that he completed the Pennsylvania purchase on March 27 and had been operating it for roughly two and a half months at the time of recording.

Related reading: A six-unit partnership, followed by a 14-unit purchase.

One broker relationship led to the deal

Phil found the listed property through a broker who became a trusted contact and friend. The building needed considerable work, so Phil gathered repair estimates before closing and planned conservatively.

The first months included new roofs, gutters, brickwork, and unit renovations. Phil reported having spent six figures on maintenance and repairs by the interview. He saw the opportunity in both the physical improvements and better management, including correcting inspection and rent-collection problems.

Improving the property and learning with peers

Phil explains that existing tenants had remained at their current rents while improvements were underway. He wanted to make the property a better place to live and work with residents as leases came up for renewal.

He also describes the value of talking through real deal questions in the mentorship and comparing notes with Chris Jordan between calls. At the time of the interview, Phil was discussing a possible additional 21 units with the sellers. That was a prospective transaction, not a completed purchase.

The next purchase

In a November 2025 community update, Phil reported closing on another 12 units, bringing his total to 22 doors. He described starting MFS with one small single-family house and buying his first apartment building in March.

Related reading: From House Hack to 81 Doors While Working a Full-Time Tech Job

That update clarifies the unit count on the original project: nine existing units, with a tenth being added. Phil said the total would become 23 once that work was complete. The interview discusses the original project as a 10-unit building; the later post distinguishes the completed units from the planned addition.