Hao Wu on How to Achieve a "Four-Hour Work Week" via Real Estate

What does freedom really look like? For Hao Wu, it looks a lot like balance—between minimalism and abundance, ambition and stillness, investing and giving back. In this episode of Selling Greenville, Hao shares how he built a life of freedom through real estate, disciplined investing, and intentional living—one that mirrors the mindset behind Tim Ferriss’s The 4-Hour Workweek (minus the palm trees and laptop shots).

How to Achieve a "Four-Hour Work Week" via Real Estate

When it comes to how to achieve a “Four-Hour Work Week” via real estate, Hao Wu is living proof that less hustle can mean more freedom. Born in China in 1985, Hao’s journey began far from the Upstate. After his father was blacklisted for joining pro-democracy protests, Hao and his mother escaped to the United States, settling in Tennessee before he later joined the U.S. Army to earn his citizenship.

Those years of discipline, frugality, and focus shaped everything that came after. Hao learned to live simply—saving nearly everything while the army provided housing, healthcare, and meals. By the time he finished his service, he had accumulated around $150,000 in savings—enough to buy freedom in the form of real estate.

From Stocks to Stability

While deployed, Hao invested in the companies he actually used—EA, Activision Blizzard, Apple, Google, and Amazon. Those “blue chip” bets did well, but as markets began to wobble around 2015, Hao decided to cash out. He didn’t want paper wealth; he wanted a steady income and control.

That’s when he discovered Greenville. Back then, duplexes and triplexes were selling for $40,000 to $100,000—a shocking bargain even for that time. Everyone told him the market was overpriced (“No way rents can rise that high!”), But Hao saw what they didn’t: Greenville was just getting started. He bought a duplex in Sans Souci and a triplex near Judson Mill, each generating $3,000–$4,000 in gross rent.

Within two years, his cash flow was enough to live comfortably on roughly $2,000 a month—less than many people’s car payment.

Purpose Over Profit

For Hao, the goal was never to get rich. It was to stay free. He built his portfolio slowly, buying properties that met his “2 percent rule”—a ratio where the monthly rent equals at least two percent of the purchase price. He expanded cautiously into other upstate areas like Berea, Gaffney, and Spartanburg County, never chasing deals that didn’t fit his formula.

But what makes Hao different isn’t his discipline—it’s his heart. Two of his units in Greenville are reserved for veterans struggling to find housing. He partners with organizations like Upstate Warrior Solutions and serves on the board of Mental Health America of Greenville County. “Capitalism,” he says, “should come from a place of abundance. When you have enough, you give.”

Investing with Intention

Unlike investors who chase every new listing or flip, Hao’s approach is calm, strategic, and deeply personal. He views real estate as just one pillar of a diversified, values-based portfolio.

His guiding principle: you can’t control the market, but you can control your mindset.

While others panic during slowdowns, Hao buys. He calls it “blood in the water”—times when uncertainty drives prices down, creating long-term opportunities. He prefers small, steady deals over big, risky plays, and he avoids the noise of speculation.

And while many investors fear debt, Hao sees it as a tool—something to be used wisely, not avoided blindly. “Not all debt is created equal,” he says. “A loan on a house isn’t the same as a loan on a mattress.”

Minimalism as a Strategy

If wealth is freedom, minimalism is Hao’s superpower. He owns his home outright, keeps expenses under $1,000 a month, and tracks everything through spreadsheets and LLC structures. He doesn’t buy clothes often (black coats and white shirts never go out of style), doesn’t overspend on groceries (“Whole Foods doesn’t sell happiness”), and turns nearly every trip into a business expense.

But it’s not austerity—it’s clarity. By reducing noise, he’s amplified joy. “I don’t live small,” he says. “I live light.”

The Human Side of Networking

Despite his minimalist lifestyle, Hao is a maximalist when it comes to people. His network isn’t transactional—it’s transformational. From board game nights and hiking groups to philosophy meetups, he sees every connection as a chance to learn, grow, and collaborate.

He’s intentional about his time, doing weekly, monthly, and annual reviews to measure where he feels “most seen, most valued, and most fulfilled.” For Hao, relationships are the truest form of wealth. “Your network,” he says, “is your net worth.”

Working Less, Living More

The irony of Hao’s life is that his calendar is full—but on his own terms. His days are packed with meetups, travel, reading, and mentoring, but there’s no boss, no time clock, no panic.

In the past few years, he’s lived for months at a time in Mexico, Thailand, and Europe. He maintains his real estate portfolio and investments remotely through trusted partners and systems he’s built and tested. “You can’t know if your life is sustainable until you stress test it,” he says. “If you can leave for two months and everything keeps running, you’ve built it right.”

This year, he’s planning another two-and-a-half-month journey across Malta, Berlin, Ireland, and Spain—part travel, part connection, part curiosity.

Where to Find Hao

Hao isn’t hiding. You can often find him at Greenville’s philosophy meetups, board game groups, or community events listed on Meetup.com. He’s passionate about mental health, veterans’ advocacy, and the importance of genuine human connection.

To reach out to Hao Wu, listeners can contact him through Stan McCune at Selling Greenville for an introduction.

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Bottom Line

Hao Wu’s story isn’t about escaping work—it’s about redefining it. Through intentional investing, minimalist living, and community-driven purpose, he’s built a life that balances prosperity with peace. His version of the “Four-Hour Work Week” isn’t about doing less; it’s about doing what matters—and leaving space for life to happen in between.

Greenville may be known for growth, but Hao’s story proves something even bigger is possible: growing a life that feels truly free.

Ien Araneta

Journal & Podcast Editor | Selling Greenville