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Real Estate Investing is among the most accessible means the average person has today to become financially independent and creating generational wealth. Blue Chariot enables investors to do WELL (financially) while doing the GOOD of providing quality affordable housing - often times improving neighborhoods in the process by rehabbing distressed homes into rental properties. At the same time, we make it possible for those desiring a less active role to also benefit by passively participating in Real Estate Investing as Private Lenders.

MEET THE OWNER, BLUE CHARIOR MANAGEMENT, LLC

Jonathan Taylor Smith

Entrepreneur, Podcaster, Real Estate Investor / Landlord & Property Manager, Licensed Real Estate Agent / Broker & REALTOR® — Providing Professional Real Estate Insight and Advice for Sellers, Buyers, Renters / Tenants & Landlords in Raleigh / Durham (Triangle), North Carolina.

J.T. founded Blue Chariot in 2015 to engage in the Business of Real Estate Investing + Realty / Agency and to perform the Service of Residential Re-Development. Blue Chariot benefits people and Triangle Neighborhoods by Rehabbing Distressed Houses into Rental Properties — while helping Home Buyers, Sellers and Renters (one house at a time).

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Understanding Double-Digit Returns in Real Estate Investing for North Carolina Savers

December 09, 20250 min read

Understanding Double-Digit Returns in Real Estate Investing for North Carolina Savers

The world of investing can feel like a puzzle sometimes, especially if you’re trying to use your savings or retirement funds in a smart way. When those funds are sitting around, not growing fast enough, or at risk because of market ups and downs, it can be frustrating. If you’re looking for a way to give your money a real boost, real estate might be the answer. In the Triangle and Triad areas of North Carolina, there’s a way to make your money work for you that you may not have tried before.

Are Your Savings Not Growing?

Lots of people have cash or retirement funds. Some may be in bank accounts getting little to no interest. Others might be invested in stocks or other areas where they experience big ups and downs. With inflation making prices go up, your money might not be growing fast enough to keep up. If your funds are not bringing you a good return, you’re not alone.

Traditional investments sometimes feel too risky or just not worth it. You need an option that doesn’t just keep pace with inflation, but beats it, and brings in better returns. What if there was a way to put your money to good use without all the hassle?

Real Estate as a Solution

In North Carolina, investing in real estate through private lending can yield big benefits. This means lending your money to help real estate investors who buy, fix up, and sell or rent properties. What makes this a good choice?

  • Double-Digit Returns: By lending your money for real estate projects, you can earn between 10% to 15% returns. It’s like being the bank, where you lend money that’s secured by a valuable property. This provides extra peace of mind.

  • Protection with Real Estate: Your investment is backed by real estate, valued at more than the loan itself. This means there’s a real asset behind your investment, reducing the risk involved.

How It Works

Investing this way means focusing on certain strategies. Here’s a breakdown:

1. Private Lending

You're the lender. Investors borrow money to buy and/or fix up properties. They promise to pay back more than what they borrowed (double-digit interest), giving you solid returns. Plus, these loans are secured by the property itself.

2. BRRRR Strategy

This stands for Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, and Repeat. Investors buy homes that need work, fix them up, rent them out, then refinance to pull out equity and do it all over again. By lending money for such ventures, lenders can enjoy solid returns, thanks to properties increasing in value and creating rental income.

Why Choose This Route?

These types of investments typically offer lower risk compared to the ups and downs of stocks. Since your investment is secured by real estate, you have more control. It’s different from buying properties yourself because it’s more passive. You still let your money grow without getting into the nitty-gritty of rehabs or managing the properties.

Additional Benefits

  • Tax Advantages: Investing through self-directed 401(k)s can mean enjoying tax benefits. This makes private lending not only good for returns but also potentially lighter on taxes.

  • Consistent Growth: Instead of watching your investments go up and down sharply, real estate provides steady growth.

  • Regional Opportunities: North Carolina, especially the Triangle and Triad areas, offers growing markets. This means a demand for housing and opportunities for real estate to appreciate in value.

How to Get Started

To get started with real estate investing through private lending:

  • Learn and Connect: Reach out to local experts who understand the market and can guide you. Tools like real estate meetups and consulting with title attorneys can also be effective.

  • Evaluate Deals Carefully: Look into how secure each potential investment is. A good deal means low risk with high returns that are worth your time and money.

  • Use Your Funds: Whether you have savings or retirement funds, you can especially benefit from self-directed retirement accounts designed for real estate investments.

What If This Trend Changes?

Real estate markets do change, but investing with sound backing from real estate means enjoying far less volatility than with stocks. Even if conditions shift, having secured assets gives stability.

This method allows you to enjoy high returns with calculated risks. And with an asset as stable as real estate, the value of your investment is less likely to hit big dips than in the stock market.


In conclusion, investing your savings or retirement funds through real estate-backed lending could be the answer to not just keeping up with inflation, but outpacing it with confidence. By tapping into North Carolina’s growing real estate market, you can enjoy consistent returns while feeling secure about where your money is going. As you explore potential high returns, you can find comfort in knowing exactly how and why your investment is growing.

J.T. Smith - Blue Chariot

RealEstate #RealEstateInvesting #PrivateLending #PrivateLenders

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J.T. Smith

Jonathan Taylor ("J.T.") Smith is a Licensed Broker, Property Manager / Landlord and Real Estate Investor with Blue Chariot Realty & Management - covering the Triangle & Triad areas of North Carolina.

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