ABOUT THE BOOK
This book is part of the SMART book series, The SMASRT concept stands for strategies to maximize assets and reduce taxes. This book is the first in kind that rigorously studies and applies the SMART family wealth building concept: Buy, Borrow, and Build. It goes far and beyond the existing buy-borrow-die framework.
This book contains three parts:
● Part 1: SMART Family vision board with the BBB mindset. It covers a four-pronged approach for buy-borrow-build: brokerage account in S&P 500 index fund; brokerage account in Berkshire Hathaway Class B (BRK.B); cash value whole life insurance; and real estate portfolio. It uses 50-year data to explain the power and art of diversification and compounding interest.
● Part 2: Four Engines to Power the Buy-Borrow-Build Strategy. It covers (1) securities backed line of credit (SBLOC collateralized by S&P 500 index fund), (2) SBLOC backed by BRK.B, (3) life insurance backed line of credit (IBLOC) backed by big-four whole life insurance companies (Guardian, MassMutual, New York Life, and Northwestern Mutual); and (4) home equity line of credit backed by real estate properties (and HELOC alternatives such as all-in-one loan and debt service coverage ratio loan).
● Part 3: Tax treatment of the loans borrowed under the buy-borrow-build strategy: decode the IRS tax code. It details the IRS interest tracing rule. It provides practical analysis of the IRS interest tracing rule applied in SBLOC, IBLOC, and HELOC. It also updates the readers of how OBBB (One Big Beautiful Bill) integrates well with BBB strategy.
In addition, this book has a companion book, called The SMART Family Wealth Guide: Buy, Borrow, and Build case studies.
EARLY PRAISES
“Real wealth is not built by comfort, shortcuts, or entitlement. It is built through discipline, patience, and the willingness to do hard things early in life. Become a Homeowner and Real Estate Investor Before 25 delivers this message clearly and honestly. This book does not promise easy money or quick wins. Instead, it challenges young people to think long-term, take responsibility, and build real assets step by step.
If more young people followed the mindset taught in this book, we would see fewer handouts and more hands raised to build, learn, and lead. This is the kind of financial education our next generation needs.”
- Dr. Thomas Forbang
Ph.D. | Real Estate Developer | IT Consultant | 2018 National & International USA Yoga Champion
“Time is the greatest asset a young person will ever have, yet it is the one most often wasted. Become a Homeowner and Real Estate Investor Before 25 understands this truth. This book is not about getting rich fast. It is about getting started early, staying consistent, and letting time do the heavy lifting.
I have seen too many people wait for the ‘perfect moment’ to buy their first property, only to realize years later that the cost of waiting was far greater than the cost of starting. This book teaches young people what schools rarely do: ownership creates freedom, income replaces stress, and action beats intention every time.”
- Dr. Maxwell Adekoje
Real Estate Investor | Mentor | Author of Just Eat the Worm
“Most people are not held back by a lack of opportunity. They are held back by fear, impatience, and a mindset shaped by short-term thinking. Own a Rental Under 25 challenges that mindset head-on. This book teaches young people to think strategically, act intentionally, and use leverage wisely rather than living paycheck to paycheck.
Real estate rewards discipline, delayed gratification, and consistency. Those lessons are missing in today’s culture of instant results and easy credit. This book does not glamorize shortcuts. It teaches responsibility, mentorship, and the courage to take the first step even when it feels uncomfortable.”
- Brett Korade
Luxury Real Estate Advisor
LAB Realty Group | Keller Williams
Washingtonian’s Best 2025
EXCLUSIVE PERKS FOR EARLY SUPPORTERS
When you buy a ticket to my launch, you’ll receive:
A signed paperback or eBook at publication
A handwritten thank-you note
Your name in the Acknowledgments (“Special Thanks to…”)
Access to my private Author Community for behind-the-scenes updates
Early excerpts, including the Introduction, with a chance to give feedback
A vote on the final book cover and title
A bonus worksheet or toolkit inspired by the book
Exclusive launch event invite (virtual Q&A or celebration)
A sneak peek at future projects and offers
Join this journey—your support means everything!
OTHER WAYS TO SUPPORT
Some people may not be able to contribute, but that doesn't mean they can't help:
Please share my book on WeChat, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn with your friends, family, and network. Please use #FinancialLiteracyForYoungPeople #FinancialFreedomForFamilies #BuyHouseUnder25 and tag me as well as my publisher, Gifted Books, so we can help amplify your efforts.
Please recommend my book to five (5) friends, family members, or co-workers who you think would enjoy it via text or direct message on social media.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Mike Nie is a Christian father, tax strategist, and financial educator with over 27 years of experience helping families turn everyday decisions into lifelong opportunities. His experience includes: (1) Audit and Advisory Director at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLC (PwC, 10+ years); (2) Audit Inspection Leader at the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (4 years); and (3) Staff Accountant at a federal financial regulatory agency (12+ years). His credentials include Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®), and Enrolled Agent (EA). Other credentials include Financial Risk Manager (FRM®), Sustainability and Climate Risk (SCR®), Risk and AI.
As the Owner of Smart 1040 LLC (www.Smart1040.us), Mike specializes in faith-based, family-centered tax planning, with a focus on proactive strategy, not just tax filing. He can be reached at Help@Smart1040.us.
Mike published two books: (1) The SMART Family Tax Guide: 101 Ways to Keep More of What You Earn, and (2) A FLY Guide to Real Estate: Owning and Managing Property When You’re Under 25. The second book was co-authored by his sons, Chris Nie and Kevin Nie. Both books are available on Amazon.com.
Olesia Soukhoveev is a co-author of the Buy, Borrow, and Build Book alongside her stepfather, Mike Nie. She is a 2026 graduate of Washington and Lee University, where she earned her degree in Economics. She holds a life insurance license and currently works as a Financial Analyst at Fisher Autoparts. Olesia is passionate about sharing the financial knowledge she's learned from her life insurance license and her stepfather, Mike Nie, to help younger generations build lasting financial security and prosper for the long run.
Outside of work, Olesia is navigating one of life's biggest milestones: buying her first home straight out of college alongside her fiancé, Nick. Together, they share a full and active life — running, hitting the gym, playing piano, singing in their church choir, dancing, and leading youth ministry side by side. Olesia also treasures time with friends and family and loves to travel.