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In America, stocks and bonds are often considered the go-to investments — but Pat Neal, whose net worth is estimated at $1.2 billion, doesn’t own a single one.
Why? “I like controlling my own future,” Neal told Forbes.
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Instead, he reinvests in his own company: Neal Communities, the land development and homebuilding business he founded in 1970. Since then, the company has built 25,000 homes across Florida.
Neal did dabble in stocks early on. In the mid-1960s, around age 16, he bought 100 shares of Iowa Beef Packers and doubled his money. But that success didn’t last.
In the early 1970s, his first stockbroker urged him to buy 100 shares of Florida-based Delta Corporation at $28. After briefly rising, the stock tanked on bad earnings — and kept falling. The broker encouraged Neal to double down and he did.
“He asked me to buy an average down at $14. I bought that and I rode it down to $0,” he recalled. That broker later left the business to become a butcher.
After faring “just as well” with his next broker, Neal walked away from the stock market entirely — and focused on his real estate business instead. That’s where the real money started rolling in.
Neal’s investment strategy is simple but effective: spot opportunities before the crowd. He and his sons would spend their days scouting properties, calling contacts, reading obituaries and staying plugged into local developments — all in the name of making smart land purchases.
“My investment strategy is to buy land ahead of growth,” he said.
And that’s exactly what he did.
In the late 1980s, Neal bought 1,087 acres at the LeBamby Hunting Preserve in Sarasota County for about 10 cents per square foot.
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“They didn’t know the interstate was coming,” he recalled. “And when the adjoining roads got through, I was able to sell some of the property at $57 a square foot.”
More recently, in 2014, he and his son John purchased foreclosed land from the City National Bank of Florida at just $6,000 an acre. After developing the property, they sold portions in 2024 for $250,000 an acre.
His comment? “They didn’t know the value of their property.”
Of course, not everyone has the time, expertise or capital to buy large parcels of land before they boom. But today, getting into real estate is easier than ever — no matter how big or small your starting budget.
Crowdfunding platforms like Arrived have made it easier than ever for everyday investors to gain exposure to America’s real estate market.
The process is simple: browse a curated selection of homes that have been vetted for their appreciation and income potential. Once you find a property you like, select the number of shares you’d like to purchase and then sit back as you start receiving any positive rental income distributions from your investment.
If you’ve ever been a landlord, you know how important it is to have reliable tenants.
How do grocery stores sound?
That’s where First National Realty Partners (FNRP) comes in. The platform allows accredited investors to diversify their portfolio through grocery-anchored commercial properties without taking on the responsibilities of being a landlord.
With a minimum investment of $50,000, investors can own a share of properties leased by national brands like Whole Foods, Kroger and Walmart, which provide essential goods to their communities. Thanks to Triple Net (NNN) leases, accredited investors are able to invest in these properties without worrying about tenant costs cutting into their potential returns.
Simply answer a few questions — including how much you would like to invest — to start browsing their full list of available properties.
If you’re aiming to build a real estate portfolio like Pat Neal’s — without relying solely on instinct and spare time — a modern, all-in-one wealth management platform like Range can help you take a smarter, more strategic approach.
Designed for high-earning households (typically $200,000+), Range brings together investment management, tax planning, estate planning, retirement guidance and insurance optimization — all in one integrated platform.
Real estate investors will find Range especially useful. Whether you’re acquiring new properties or optimizing existing ones, Range helps you:
Choose the right structure for each deal (e.g., 1031 exchanges)
Forecast how property decisions affect cash flow and liquidity
Plan long-term strategies around lending, refinancing and ownership
