Marko Agbaba's Long-Term Wealth Building Strategies

At 29, Marko isn’t just building housing, he's building a legacy through discipline and intentional growth. The founder of Agbaba Holdings builds student rental real estate projects across Windsor, Ontario, and is now expanding into multi-unit residential dwellings that fit into a larger picture of building the City of Windsor to become a true city.

Recently, Marko stopped by the SCELTA office to record an episode of the DIAL IN Podcast, where he shared his approach to staying DIALLED IN.

His playbook? Focus, fitness, systems, and long-term wealth building strategies grounded in consistency.

The Mental Game of Real Estate

"Your job becomes making great decisions. That’s what you’re paid for."

Early in his journey, Marko realized the importance of making space to think. As his work evolved, he carved out time not just to build, but to build better through thoughtful, informed decisions. As his team scaled and his projects multiplied, he traded late nights on-site for early mornings in books.

He reads an hour a day, every day. Whether it be psychology, physics, leadership, or economics, it’s all input for the next high-leverage decision.

"Knowledge compounds. The answer you need today might come from a book you read five years ago."

Marko DIALLED IN for a focused session with SCELTA.

Focus Starts with Fitness

"The ship only goes as far as I take it."

Before he starts fielding calls, Marko makes time for movement. Whether it’s workouts or walks, the idea is simple: protect your clarity.

He does 75 Hard once a year, and uses a simple daily tactic from its creator Andy Frisella: the Power List.

Each morning, he writes down five critical tasks. Not "urgent" tasks. Not "nice-to-haves." Just the five most important levers to pull that day.

Focus Starts with Fitness. Every Sunday, the SCELTA team runs hill sprints at our local park.

"Even if I did nothing else, if I nail those five, the business moves forward."

Discipline isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing the right things, on repeat.

Marko's long-term wealth building strategies

"I want to be wealthy, not rich."

There’s a reason Marko holds his builds instead of flipping them. It’s not lack of ambition, it’s strategic design.

His real estate philosophy centres on cash flow first. He compares it to dividends: predictable income that builds a stable base. That base allows him to expand, retain staff, and make bold plays while others hit pause.

"Even during the boom, I didn’t buy for a year and a half. I waited for the right swing."

This slow-growth, high-discipline strategy means he doesn’t rely on one-off wins. He doesn’t chase, he doesn’t burn out... he builds.

Energy Inspires Execution

Marko’s style also shows up on site.

"I used to sleep on hardwood floors during deadlines. Once the trades saw that, they started showing up early. Staying late. Working Sundays."

Like Alexander the Great at the front line, Marko doesn’t delegate intensity, he models it.

And when it’s time to zoom out, that same intensity turns inward: fitness, sleep, and removing distractions.

"Even a high-maintenance girlfriend can derail your mental clarity. You have to guard your focus."

Why It Matters Now

In a fast-moving industry full of uncertainty, Marko’s approach stands out. It’s not about staying busy, it’s about staying clear.

• Daily learning: To stock the decision bank.

• Daily movement: To maintain energy and clarity.

• Five-task focus: To drive forward no matter what.

• Cash-first growth: To ensure flexibility during any market cycle.

  
  

"Stress comes from inaction. You already know what you need to do. Just do it."

Long-term success isn’t about how fast you grow, it’s about finding your rhythm. Marko’s found his.

Want to stay DIALLED IN to what's happening on your job sites? Check out our SCELTA RealTime field management software.