5 Paid-Off Rentals vs. 15 Rentals with Mortgages

Episode #1275 Baselane: Automate your real estate finances with banking and AI-powered bookkeeping. Claim your $100 bonus! https://www.baselane.com/lp/bigger-pockets/?utm_source=bigger_pockets&utm_campaign=bigger_pockets&utm_medium=YT-M *5 paid-off rentals vs. 15 rentals with mortgages.* We get this question a lot: Should I pay off my rental properties or use the cash flow to keep scaling? Many investors believe you need a dozen or more rentals to become financially free. So, in today’s show, we’re going to show you the *overlooked math behind having five paid-off rental properties,* and *whether it’s worth it to keep scaling* to over a dozen doors. I’ve modeled out both scenarios (pay off rentals vs. buy more) to see *which gets you to financial freedom faster,* which leaves you with a *bigger net worth,* and which *pumps out more cash flow* so you can do what you want with your time. We’re *using real, inflation-adjusted numbers* : $400K home prices, $250/month cash flow, 30-year loans. These are the types of deals we’re buying even in 2026. So *which scenario would Dave pick?* Dave has a clear answer on the option he thinks is best for most real estate investors, and what to do if you pay off your rental properties but want to scale slowly when the right deal arrives. If you’ve got some cash burning a hole in your pocket, *this is the episode to hear* before you make a move. Episode Show Notes: https://lnk.to/biggerpocketsYT Join BiggerPockets for FREE 👇 https://www.biggerpockets.com/signup?utm_source=owned_media 🎉Join us at the BiggerPockets Conference October 2-4 in Orlando. Buy tickets: https://biggerpockets.com/bpcon2026 Let Us Know What You Thought of the Show! https://www.BiggerPockets.com/Podcastfeedback Grab Dave’s Book, _Real Estate by the Numbers_ : https://store.biggerpockets.com/products/real-estate-by-the-numbers?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=none Sign Up for the BiggerPockets Real Estate Newsletter: https://www.biggerpockets.com/email-subscribe?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=none Find Investor-Friendly Lenders: http://biggerpockets.com/findlenders _BiggerPockets Real Estate_ - 1128 - How to Buy 5 Rental Properties in Just 5 Years https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/real-estate-1128?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=none Connect with Dave: https://www.biggerpockets.com/users/davem27?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=none 00:00 Intro 01:34 Pay Down vs. Buy More? 02:48 Home Price, Cash Flow, Etc. 03:47 Scenario 1. Scale to 15 Rentals 08:18 Sponsor: Baselane! 09:17 Scenario 2. Pay Down 5 Rentals 12:18 Which Makes More Money? 15:59 What Dave Would Do