Issue #27

30 January 2026

Welcome to Path Finder: Our Journey in Real Estate and Adventure

Reader

Homestead Update: Progress… on Ice

We’re officially getting our homestead set up, even if Mother Nature has other plans right now.

We now have a small flock of Appleyard and Muscovy ducks, and they’ve already brought so much life (and personality) to the property. We’ve got T-posts, fencing, and materials ready to go, and I’ve already started a DIY coop using recycled pallet wood.

That said… the ice has us at a complete standstill. The ground around our house is frozen solid — basically an ice rink — and I know many of you are dealing with the same thing right now. So, for now, we’re staged and waiting. Sometimes progress looks like preparation, not action.

A Major Milestone: UK Tenants Are Officially Moved In

This month also marked a huge milestone for us: tenants have officially moved into our UK home.

We bought that house in 2022 and lived in it for exactly three years. It was such a special place for our family — from the koi pond to the greenhouse — and leaving it was truly bittersweet. At the same time, we’re incredibly excited to see another family begin making memories there, just like we did.

Full Transparency: Rentals Aren’t Always “Passive”

I want to be honest here, because rentals aren’t all rainbows and sunshine, especially at the start.

• We moved out 12 November 2025
• Tenants moved in 26 January 2026
• That gap meant covering:
  • The mortgage during vacancy
  • Utilities
  • Prep costs and small odds-and-ends expenses
• On top of that, when you use an agency, the first month’s rent often goes toward:
  • Initial setup fees
  • Management fees

Even with tenants in place, we’re still slightly out of pocket on the mortgage for the first month — and that’s normal. This is the part people don’t always talk about.

And honestly? We’re still incredibly grateful and excited. This is a long-term play, and getting over that initial hump is a huge step forward.

What’s Coming Next: PCS Claims & Moving Reality

In the next few issues, I’ll be breaking down the process of filing a claim for damaged household goods from our move.

We had:

• Multiple damaged items
• A large patio couch that’s completely missing (neither side of the shipping process claims to have it)
• Trash found inside packed boxes, including snack wrappers from food we provided to the movers

It’s beyond frustrating. The military puts these contracts in place to support families, yet it feels like every PCS comes with some kind of mishap — through no fault of the family. I’ll walk through what we’re doing, what we’ve learned, and what I wish we had known sooner.

Spotlight: A Founder Building Something Special

I met Shelby Hastings last year at a real estate retreat, and her energy, vision, and community-first approach immediately stood out—so I invited her to share what she’s building, in her own words.

​Shelby Hastings is a Michigan-based entrepreneur and real estate developer and the founder of BeauVista Partners. She is currently developing The Haven of Cadillac, a luxury glamping and outdoor hospitality resort in Northern Michigan.

Designed as a true pause from everyday life, The Haven blends elevated accommodations—including modern cabins and geodesic domes—with a service philosophy rooted in “unreasonable hospitality.” The resort is being created as a destination for rest, reconnection, and meaningful moments, while celebrating the natural beauty and community of Northern Michigan.

As the project moves toward construction, Shelby welcomes thoughtful conversations with values-aligned partners and collaborators. You can follow the journey and behind-the-scenes progress on Instagram at @shelbymhastings.

Closing Thoughts

Whether it’s frozen ground, first-month rental math, or navigating PCS fallout — this season is a reminder that building anything worthwhile is rarely linear. We’re grateful, moving forward, and sharing it all as we go.

More soon 🤍

— Kimber

🔗 Get info or a quote here (supports my partnership with TransGlobal Auto Logistics):
• go.tgal.us/kimber-news​

🔗 Stay in the Loop

I can’t wait to bring you along as we make this transition—new home, new land, new opportunities to turn every step into progress.

👀 Until then, you can explore past issues, digital downloads, and more right here:
👉 https://linktr.ee/Thepathlessjourney​

Until next time, keep building, keep learning, and keep finding your path. - Kimber