From Veteran To Visionary: Oscar Erazo on Taking Action in Real Estate Before Feeling Ready

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Sometimes the most impactful real estate stories are not about the biggest deal. They are about the moment someone decides to start, even when life feels uncertain.

In this episode of PropStream Pros, host Burton sits down with Oscar Erazo, a real estate entrepreneur, father of two, and U.S. military veteran who went from “no real estate experience whatsoever” to building momentum through wholesaling, then pivoting into a mission-led model centered on assisted living.

Oscar shares what pushed him forward during a difficult chapter of life, how he learned the basics fast, why micro wins matter, and what “wealth” means to him today.

Watch the complete PropStream Pros episode featuring  Oscar Erazo below.

From Zero Experience to First Deal

When Oscar entered real estate in 2019, he had no prior experience, no understanding of industry lingo, and no clear roadmap.

What he did have was conviction.

As Oscar puts it, “I didn’t know the language. I didn’t know how to talk about real estate. I just knew I wanted to be in it.”

While navigating a life-altering transition and rebuilding as a single father, he made a decision that changed his trajectory. He chose to invest in himself and take action before he felt ready.

He was learning in motion. As Oscar says, “I would hear a term on one call and try to use it on the next one. Half the time, it didn’t even make sense. But I kept going.”

That persistence paid off. After countless rejections, he secured his first deal, structured a joint venture partnership, and closed his first wholesale transaction.

It was not perfect. It was not polished. But it was a proof-of-concept for him.

One of the most powerful lessons from Oscar’s journey is what he calls the importance of micro wins. Long before his first deal closed, progress was happening quietly.

As Oscar explains, “You don’t know what you don’t know until you need to know it.”

Each small improvement built confidence. Each adjustment sharpened his approach. Over time, those micro wins stacked into a macro win.

For new investors, it is a critical reminder. Momentum often builds quietly before it becomes visible. The breakthrough usually comes after a series of small, unglamorous improvements.

Military Lessons That Built a Business Mindset

Oscar served in the U.S. Navy from 2005 to 2013, including deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan as a combat medic attached to the Marine Corps. The lessons he learned there now shape how he builds and leads in business.

One principle stands above the rest: you cannot do everything alone.

As Oscar explains, “If I tried to handle every injury myself, I could only save one person. But if I trained my team on the basics, I could help ten or fifteen.” That mindset directly translated into how he later pivoted his entrepreneurial journey.

His military experience also shaped how he handles pressure. In high-stress situations, panic is contagious. So is calm.

As Oscar puts it, “You have to calm yourself first before you can calm anyone else.”

His philosophy is simple: slow is smooth. Smooth is fast.

Building a Purpose-Driven Assisted Living Portfolio

Oscar began his real estate journey in wholesaling. It gave him experience, confidence, and momentum. It proved he could build something from nothing. But as he grew in the business, he started reflecting on what had always mattered to him.

Service.

From volunteering as a kid to serving as a combat medic, helping others had always been a constant in his life. Real estate gave him an opportunity to restart. But he wanted to channel that opportunity into something more directly tied to impact.

That reflection led him to pivot into licensed assisted living operations in California under two categories:

• ARF (Adult Residential Facility), supporting adults ages 18 to 59 with mental disabilities.
  
• RCFE (Residential Care Facility for the Elderly), supporting seniors who require daily living assistance.

As Oscar explains in the episode, this business is not just about real estate. “You’re not dealing with properties. You’re dealing with people.”

Each home requires emotional intelligence, operational systems, caregiver coordination, communication with families, and steady leadership. It is real estate built around responsibility.

Wholesaling built his foundation. Assisted living aligned with his purpose.

Redefining Wealth and the Legacy He Wants to Leave

When Burton asks Oscar what wealth means to him, the answer is simple.

Time.

Time with his kids. Time being present. Time laughing, even if it means embarrassing himself just to see them smile. Growing up broke, serving in war zones, and rebuilding his life reshaped how he defines success. He has seen how quickly circumstances can change. He has seen how fragile life can be.

Money can be rebuilt. Time cannot.

That perspective leads to the most emotional part of the conversation. Burton asks him what he would want his children to hear if they watched this episode 20 years from now.

He tells them he loves them. That everything in life happens for you, not to you. His greatest fear is not death, but failing to give them the foundation to become the greatest versions of themselves.

It is not a business answer. It is a father’s answer. And it is a reminder that for Oscar, real estate was never just about income. It was about creating options, presence, and a legacy his children can build from.

To hear that moment in his own words is worth watching the full episode.

Lessons for New Real Estate Investors

Oscar’s journey offers clear lessons for anyone starting out in real estate or navigating a major life transition. Here are a few takeaways from his story:

Oscar’s path proves that real estate is not just about transactions. It is about transformation.

A Message to His Military Friends and a Closing Reflection

Oscar also shares a direct message to those currently serving:

Your role in the military is something you do, not who you are. You are not limited to the title you hold today or the uniform you wear. When you transition, you are allowed to evolve. You are capable of building something new, expanding beyond what you are doing now, and stepping into opportunities you may not even see yet. And you are allowed to ask for help along the way.

When asked about the future, his focus returns to his children. For Oscar, real estate is not just transactional. It is generational. It is about creating something that serves others and provides a foundation his kids can build on.

His journey proves that you do not need experience to begin. You need commitment, consistent action, and the right support.

If you are ready to take that first step, start by committing to learning. Surround yourself with the right mentorship, equip yourself with tools like PropStream that give you real data to act on, and stay persistent even when progress feels slow. Growth in real estate, like in life, comes from stacking small wins and being willing to evolve as you gain experience.

To hear Oscar’s story in his own words, watch the full PropStream Pros episode.

Follow Oscar Erazo's Journey: