When I first started working with Raul Torres, my situation was simple—basic tax returns.

Over time, I moved into real estate. I began purchasing, remodeling, and deciding whether to sell or hold. Each property required a different approach, but I didn’t always treat them that way.

There’s an old saying—don’t fall in love with your properties.

I did.

My first remodel was a small 1940s home. It was a low-cost entry, but I approached it as something enjoyable—not as a financial decision. I added upgrades that made the property beautiful, but didn’t necessarily make sense financially. In a sale, you don’t always recover those costs. In a rental, you don’t always need them.

It was a costly lesson.

At the time, I was not operating with clear financial discipline. I had stacks of receipts, used multiple credit cards, and often addressed the numbers after the fact instead of before decisions were made.

Around the same time, I identified a strong investment opportunity in a duplex. I understood the numbers—purchase price, projected income, operating expenses, and return on investment—but understanding and execution were not yet aligned.

The pattern continued.

Another property—over 100 years old—presented itself. Beautiful, full of character, and again I approached it emotionally rather than strategically. More capital went into the property than the financials supported.

Throughout all of this, Raul Torres, CPA, remained consistent.

There were many times he sat me down and told me directly—I was losing money.

I knew he was right.

But my ego, and my attachment to the properties, got in the way. I saw what I had built. I saw the quality. But the numbers told a different story.

2 + 1 does not equal 4.

Then COVID hit.

The impact was immediate. Rental income stopped. Tenants could not pay. The financial pressure became real.

And through that period, Raul Torres and his team never stepped away. They stayed engaged, patient, and professional.

Over time, that consistency changed how I operate. Today, I approach every property with a clear financial lens—looking at hold versus sell, understanding cash flow, and considering tax impact before I move forward. I still appreciate the properties, but I no longer make decisions based on that alone. I understand the difference between something that looks good and something that performs, and how that affects both short-term results and long-term wealth. Years later, Raul Torres, CPA and his team continue to handle my financial affairs, and as I move into the next phase of business, I do so with clarity, confidence, and a better understanding of how to use the numbers to guide growth.

That is the difference between filing taxes…

and working with someone who stays with you through the decisions that matter.