In just 12 months, childhood friends Connor Swofford and Pieter Louw have acquired a 24-unit rental property portfolio in Buffalo, New York. The duo manages their growing real estate business as a side hustle, dedicating only a few hours a week by leveraging a streamlined, low-cost technology system.
Their success highlights a modern approach to real estate investing, where strategic partnerships and digital tools minimize time commitment while maximizing growth. Swofford, who lives in Charleston, South Carolina, and Louw, based in Buffalo, have built a system that allows them to manage nine properties remotely and efficiently.
Key Takeaways
- Connor Swofford and Pieter Louw acquired 24 rental units across nine properties in Buffalo within one year.
- They manage the portfolio as a side hustle, spending an average of 12 combined hours per week.
- Their operations are powered by a $20-per-month tech stack, including Baselane, Asana, and ChatGPT.
- The partnership leverages Swofford's organizational skills and Louw's on-the-ground construction expertise.
- Their strategy focuses on the BRRRR method (buy, rehab, rent, refinance, repeat) for value-add properties.
A Partnership Forged in Friendship
The foundation of this rapidly scaling enterprise is the distinct yet complementary skill set of its founders. Pieter Louw, a 31-year-old real estate agent with a background in construction and engineering, manages the hands-on aspects of the business in Buffalo.
"I'm very good at the boots on the ground, knowing the construction side of things," Louw explained. He oversees property renovations, visits job sites, and shows apartments to prospective tenants.
Meanwhile, Connor Swofford, also 31, operates as the venture's organizational backbone from his home in Charleston. A startup consultant by trade, Swofford focuses on optimizing their workflow, managing finances, and handling the big-picture strategy.
"Connor is an absolute menace when it comes to organization and the bigger picture things," Louw added, highlighting the synergy that makes their long-distance partnership effective.
The BRRRR Method
Swofford and Louw employ the BRRRR (Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat) investment strategy. This approach involves purchasing undervalued properties, increasing their value through renovations, renting them out to generate cash flow, and then using a cash-out refinance to pull capital out for the next investment. This method is central to their ability to scale quickly.
Despite the portfolio's growth, both partners are committed to keeping it a side project. They hold virtual meetings twice a week for about 30 minutes to sync up on their holdings and evaluate potential new deals. The cash flow generated is used to fund vacations, supplement retirement savings, and plan for their children's education.
The $20 Technology Stack Driving Efficiency
A key element of their success is a carefully selected suite of software tools that automates and streamlines their operations. This "software stack" costs them only $20 per month and is the engine behind their low-touch management style.
Baselane: The Financial Command Center
The only paid tool in their arsenal is Baselane, a platform designed for landlords that combines business banking, bookkeeping, and rent collection. Swofford noted it has become an integral part of their workflow.
"All of our rent collecting happens there; they notify me if someone has not paid; I check all of our expenses through there; I do all of our categorization through there," Swofford said. They also use the platform to pay contractors and benefit from the high-yield savings account for their business funds.
Data-Driven Decisions
The financial reports generated by Baselane provided a crucial insight that reshaped their acquisition strategy. After analyzing property performance, they realized that two-unit properties in the Buffalo market were less profitable than larger buildings. As a result, they now focus exclusively on acquiring properties with three to 10 units.
Asana: Managing Projects and Maintenance
For project management, the pair relies on the free version of Asana. They use it to assign tasks to the contractors working on their renovation projects. This creates a clear and trackable system for their rehabs, which are a core component of their BRRRR strategy.
When tenants submit maintenance requests, those tasks are also logged and assigned through Asana, ensuring that nothing falls through the cracks and that responses are timely.
ChatGPT: The Virtual Assistant
The partners use ChatGPT for a wide range of communication and problem-solving tasks. The AI chatbot assists in drafting professional emails to tenants, contractors, and other business contacts.
They also turn to it for quick answers to landlord-tenant legal questions. Swofford mentioned using it for guidance when they had to navigate their first eviction, helping them understand their responsibilities versus the tenant's.
"That's literally all we have. We pay 20 bucks a month for Baselane and everything else is free, as of right now," Swofford stated.
Scaling with a Human Touch
While technology is central to their efficiency, Louw emphasizes that their approach to being landlords is rooted in respect. He believes that investing in a positive landlord-tenant relationship pays dividends.
"When they see that you're respecting them, they tend to be respectful back as well," Louw observed. He has learned that tenants who feel valued are more likely to take better care of the property, reducing maintenance issues and turnover.
The ultimate goal of their tech-forward system is to enhance their ability to be responsive and effective landlords. By automating administrative tasks, they can focus more on clear communication and addressing tenant needs promptly.
What began as a "little fun thing" between friends has evolved into a significant asset. "It's grown into something bigger than I think we might have both expected it to," Louw concluded. As they continue to scale, their lean, tech-driven model serves as a blueprint for modern real estate investing, proving that a large portfolio doesn't always require a large time commitment.
