Rob Sayre
Nearly a decade of buy-and-hold and fix-and-flip investing in Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley — and the author behind What the 1% Know.
Investor, author, and longtime Lehigh Valley resident
A Colorado native, Rob Sayre moved to New York City in 1982 and then to Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley in 1988 to build a career in publishing at Rodale, Inc. Now semi-retired, he has spent roughly the last decade as a real estate investor — holding rental properties and flipping homes across the New Tripoli and greater Lehigh Valley area.
Alongside investing, Rob is the author of four books and writes a regular newsletter for a loyal monthly audience. He volunteers on affordable housing and environmental issues, and is a Tai Chi practitioner and Master Gardener. His work blends a practical, numbers-first approach to real estate with a publisher's eye for telling a clear, honest story.
Buy-and-hold rentals and value-add flips
Rob invests primarily in two ways: buy-and-hold rentals that build long-term income and equity, and fix-and-flip projects that return tired properties to productive use. His focus is the Lehigh Valley market he knows firsthand, with an emphasis on fair deals and properties that strengthen the surrounding community.
Buy & Hold
A portfolio of rental properties managed for steady cash flow and lasting value — the foundation of Rob's long-term investing approach.
Investor Property-Finding Service
A new project with partner Jeff to help investors find off-market properties — including free access to Rob's real estate book for members.
Explore DealHunterYour Local Guide to Real Estate Success
In the Himalayas, Sherpas are trusted guides who know the terrain, understand the risks, carry heavy loads, and help climbers reach the summit safely. Real estate investing is not much different. Every market has its own challenges, hidden obstacles, and local knowledge that can make the difference between success and failure.
Sherpa Services provides investors with a trusted local connection to the people and services needed to move a project forward efficiently and profitably. Whether you are buying from a distance or expanding into a new market, we help navigate the local landscape and connect you with reliable contractors, inspectors, property managers, title companies, lenders, insurance providers, municipal contacts, and other essential resources.
For a flat fee of $400 per property, investors gain access to local expertise, vetted service providers, and practical guidance throughout the acquisition and renovation process. Our role is simple: help you avoid costly mistakes, save time, and move confidently toward your investment goals.
Like a Sherpa guiding climbers up a mountain, we know the route, understand the terrain, and help carry the heavy loads—so you can focus on reaching the summit.
The Numbers Behind the Need
The need for new housing options is growing rapidly. More than one-third of U.S. households headed by someone age 65 or older are now housing-cost burdened, meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing. More than 12.4 million older households face this challenge, and 6.7 million spend over half of their income on housing costs.
Older renters face even greater pressure. Nearly 58% of renters age 65 and older are housing-cost burdened. Many live on fixed incomes that have not kept pace with rising rents, insurance, taxes, and utility costs. Researchers also warn that Americans over 50 are now the fastest-growing segment of the homeless population, with homelessness among older adults projected to rise dramatically over the next decade.
Veterans face similar challenges. While veteran homelessness has declined significantly over the past decade due to targeted programs, tens of thousands of veterans still experience homelessness or severe housing insecurity each year. Affordable housing remains one of the most important factors in preventing veterans from falling into homelessness.
I am looking for others to partner with to build affordable housing — investors, contractors, realtors, and city and county officials. Here are two examples of local leaders stepping up:
What I've written
Four published books spanning real estate and small-business storytelling — with more to come.
What the 1% Know
Rob's flagship real estate book and a key credibility piece, packed with reader reviews. A revised, updated edition is currently in the works.
View on AmazonLocal Luminary Collection
Three co-authored books profiling roughly 77 small-business owners and their stories, published through Bright Communications' Local Luminary series.
Meet the PublisherWait, What? — Rob's Substack
Rob writes regularly on real estate, business, and the things that make him stop and say "wait, what?" Subscribe to follow along and join his monthly readers.
Get in touch
Have a question about real estate, the books, or a possible collaboration? Send a note.
Rob's monthly mailing-list signup also lives at the top of the page.