From Engineer to Investor
Breex Lee began his career in the shipyard industry. For 15 years, he worked long hours as a mechanical engineer, managing large projects and teams of over 200 people. His role took him around the world—from Houston to Norway—while he also helped his company set up a new branch in Penang.
Despite the achievements, something felt off. After completing a master’s degree in NTU, Breex received a pay raise of just $100 a month. He had invested two years of effort and $20,000 in fees, but the return didn’t match the sacrifice. That moment became his turning point.
The First Step into Property
Frustrated with his career ceiling, Breex looked for financial alternatives. He explored courses and books on wealth building, eventually discovering property investing.
In 2012, he bought his first property in Johor Bahru—a small walk-up apartment worth RM75,000. It was a fearful first step, but once he completed the cycle of buying and renting, his confidence grew.
Within two years, he scaled up aggressively, acquiring 20 properties in JB.
Why JB?
Johor Bahru was the right entry point for Breex. Prices were lower compared to Singapore, making it accessible. The city’s proximity to Singapore created a steady rental demand, especially from Malaysians commuting across the border.
Breex also had roots in Penang, but he chose JB because it was close enough to monitor, visit, and understand the market. One of his key lessons: invest where you can stay close to the ground.
Lessons from 20 Properties
Through his journey, Breex gained clarity on what works and what doesn’t:
- Pick the right projects. Not every development makes sense. Oversupply can drag down yields. He focused only on projects that fit proven checklists and met clear rental demand.
- Leverage is key. Property allows financing, meaning investors can control large assets with smaller upfront capital. Rental income, when structured correctly, covers the bank loan.
- Mentors cut years of mistakes. Breex credits his growth to mentors both in Malaysia and Singapore. They provided frameworks, checklists, and the push to overcome fear when making big purchases.
- Confidence compounds. The first property brought fear, but after a few cycles, he was able to commit to multiple units—even buying three in a single day.
- Not every deal works. New build projects often took longer to yield because hundreds of owners released units at the same time. Still, property is forgiving if fundamentals are right.
Crossing Into Singapore
After building his JB portfolio, Breex faced a personal decision. His wife preferred to raise their children in Singapore due to safety and education. That meant he needed Singapore-dollar income.
In 2017, he attended property classes under mentor Marco. Within two years, he built a Singapore portfolio of nine properties. The rental income covered his family’s living expenses, allowing him to leave his engineering career for good.
Beyond Property: F&B and Redevelopment
With financial freedom secured, Breex expanded into other ventures. In 2019, he co-founded Goro Japanese Cuisine, combining his wife’s love for Japanese food with a partner chef’s expertise.
But his most ambitious project is Sri Inda Court in JB. Once a run-down condominium, he and his partners took over, repaired its facilities, and redesigned it for Malaysians and Singaporeans who commute daily across the Causeway. The project now offers 160 rooms, laundry services, private transport, and soon, a café and event space.
It’s a live example of how adding value transforms property into a thriving community asset.
Extracting Golden Nuggets
Breex Lee’s journey from engineer to investor offers clear lessons:
- The first step often feels the scariest, but action builds confidence.
- Property works best when guided by checklists and strong mentors.
- Rental income can fund freedom, but only with the right fundamentals.
- Proximity matters—invest where you can understand the market deeply.
- Value-adding turns properties into communities, not just buildings.
Breex’s story proves that with clarity, courage, and community, even an engineer with a modest pay raise can build a thriving portfolio and a legacy.
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