Whether you love him or hate him, there’s no denying that Elon Musk’s real estate moves are… well, interesting. Right now, the guy’s a walking headline—controversial tweets, DOGE activities, Mars missions, electric cars—but he’s also made smart decisions in the real estate world.

In 2012, Musk snagged a Bel Air mansion for $17 million, and that was just the beginning. Over the next few years, he scooped up more properties in the area, turning his real estate portfolio into a multi-million-dollar empire.

Fast forward to 2020, and Elon decides to flip the script: he sells every single property. Gone. Just like that.

Now, by the time the dust settled, Elon walked away with a fat profit. Yep, while the world was scratching its head about his minimalist move, he was cashing in on those deals.

It’s a reminder that sometimes the biggest risks pay off in unexpected ways. Elon’s real estate game wasn’t entirely about living in luxury—it was about making smart investments, then knowing when to pivot.

And if a guy who’s juggling space exploration and electric cars can pull it off, maybe there’s something to be learned here.