I work for a company that makes promotional products and I do the overseas purchasing. I've been with them for 18 years and have seen them through good and bad times. I was on a 4-day work week for a year and a half after the economy crash, but we all survived.
It's funny that real estate has been in my family for years, yet I have only discovered it a few years ago. My father had a real estate business with my uncle for many years, and even though my father and uncle are no longer with us, the business was passed down to my cousin who now runs it.
I have a small 2-bed house and from the moment I bought it, I thought of it as a starting over house and knew that I would sell it to move into something larger and in a better neighborhood. Then the economy crashed and I realized that I couldn't get my money out of it by selling. As I started to look into alternatives I began to realize that houses on the current market were going for incredibly cheap! And if I wanted to buy a better house, then NOW was the time to do it! Then late one night I was watching TV and there was this ad and this book to buy.....and it's all history after that.
My goal for the future is to flip a few houses and make enough money for a large down payment on the house of my dreams that I will retire in. Then I will work on buying and holding so that I possibly CAN retire.
I bought my first investment property in November 2009. That was supposed to be a fix n flip, but it turned into a rental because of a low appraisal. I learned a lot and just kept going. It's been a struggle and no, I didn't quit my job after the first year. I am slowly gaining momentum and have so much more experience than I did when I started.
Fast forward to 2014. This year ended with 12 completed deals and my first Lease Option that was also a probate deal. I'm gaining momentum and I know 2015 will be a great year.
Are you in my area? Sign up to be on my buyers list: http://buyphoenixproperties.com/
Hi Margaret
Just wanted to say hi & welcome you to the DG site Don't hesitate to ask me anything about REI to help you on your way to success, so ask away & stay in touch on your progress...
Everyone Can Make A Difference!
John A.