In this episode, Steve and Tom break down the exact three-step blueprint that built Steve's $18 million property portfolio from scratch. This isn't theory, it's the real framework used by everyday investors to create serious wealth through residential property. They deconstruct the Foundation Principle (getting your first 4 properties), the Acceleration Principle (scaling to $7.6M in 10 years), and the Diversification Principle (pivoting to commercial for passive income). Learn why boring beats flashy, how to use different lending tiers strategically, and why the right market timing matters more than perfect execution. Whether you're aiming for $4M or $25M, this episode shows you the exact math, mindset, and milestones needed to get there. 0:00 - Introduction: The $18M Portfolio Challenge 1:43 - Why High Earners Have Zero Net Worth (The Paycheck Trap) 5:41 - Step 1: Foundation Principle - Building Your First $2M in 10 Years 8:10 - The 5-Year Grind: Saving Your First $100K Deposit 12:01 - Rent-Vesting Strategy: Why Your Dream Home Kills Wealth 15:10 - Tier 1, 2, 3 Lenders Explained: Unlocking Hidden Borrowing Power 17:22 - The $1M Decision: Why 2% Extra Interest Rate Doesn't Matter 20:00 - Holding for a Full Cycle: The Power of Doing Nothing 22:40 - Step 2: Acceleration Principle - $2M to $7.6M Portfolio Growth 24:31 - Strategic Team Building: Broker, Accountant & Timing 28:53 - Why Property Doubles in 7-10 Years (Market Cycle Mechanics) 31:00 - Developments vs Set-and-Forget: The Numbers Don't Lie 35:10 - Step 3: Diversification Principle - Scaling to $23M with Commercial 39:00 - Breaking Down the Numbers: $10M Equity After 20 Years 42:16 - The 10-Year Exit Strategy: $100K Passive Income at Age 35 44:13 - Commercial Property Cashflow: 6.5% Net Yields Explained 47:10 - Final Framework Recap: Foundation → Acceleration → Diversification 49:07 - Why Boring Established Properties Always Win