Who would have ever though that seven years ago when I purchased my first investment property that I would be building a NEW house from the ground up?  Well its happening and it is starting with the foundation.

Below, is the FOUNDATION of one of my current rehab investments in Capitol Heights, MD, which will be done July 2009.

 

 

 

In 2002 I bought a 3 bedroom 1 bath house in Capitol Heights from a local investor that was guiding me through the real estate investing process.  At that time I was only focused on the money and not on the opportunity that was being presented to me of building wealth and securing my financial future via real estate.  All that I knew was my mortgage was 1200 and someone was going to pay me 1500.  That was 300 dollars a month positive cash flow and that was fine with me.  After a few bad tenants and several late payments I found myself in court week in and week out just to evict people.  But I never gave up.  I did what most will not do and that was to ask somebody for help.  Instead of sending myself into the poor house I had that same investor mentor me on how to buy and sell houses for major profits.  After a little bit of drama, and much elbow grease, I sold the house and made a few bucks.  Then, a light went off in my head; I could actually make money buying, renting and selling houses.  That started my foundation.

The BEFORE pictures of one of my successful rehab investments in Capitol Heights, MD.
 

Over the next seven years I bought, rented or sold over 20 properties.  Some I owned outright, others I partnered with other investors.  Majority was residential single family homes but I even purchased a barber shop and beauty salon with a two bedroom apartment above them.  I learned how to “buy right” and “build right” by ensuring that I got the properties at the right price and installed the best low maintenance materials my budget would allow. 

The AFTER pictures of one of my successful rehab investments in Capitol Heights, MD.
 

Now with 13 properties in my portfolio, amidst a great investor’s real estate market, I have built a foundation and it really set in when I decided to build my first property from the ground up!  These opportunities have allowed me to coach and mentor others on how they can build their foundation today in real estate and lead a path to their empire, whatever it may be, and the proof is in the property.  Real estate can be the means to an end, or the end of all means.  For me it is the latter.  I finally found a profession that I am good at, I love, and I can make a ton of money doing it. 

For me its not about the fast cash but it’s the building of equity so that in a few years rents from several properties will substitute my salary and one day my retirement.  Houses with no mortgages will be able to fund my children’s education and family vacations.

We often hear in the newspaper, the news, and just about all media that the real estate market is terrible.  Now that is just foolish!  Interest rates are at an all time low, properties are dirt cheap and are craving for the investor to grab them up and add good value.  The opportunity is there for all of us.  Whether your dream is to have a real estate empire, open a beauty salon, franchise a business, or to fire your boss and become your own, real estate is the tool that can provide your financial freedom.  Why not begin today?  I did!

Marcus Thomas: The Best Real Estate Investing Coach…..PERIOD!!
Website: http://www.realestateinvestingcoaches.com
Coaching Email: marcus@helpfulinvesting.com

Twitter: @ RE_Investing, @RE_Coaches
Facebook: Marcus Thomas
Email: helpfulinvesting@gmail.com
Blog: http://www.dcmdvainvesting.blogspot.com

Other sites:
General Information: http://www.helpfulinvesting.com
For the New Jack Investor: http://www.realdealinvesting101.com
For the Experienced Investor: http://www.realdealinvesting201.com
YouTube Video: http://www.youtube.com/helpfulinvesting

This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 5th, 2009 at 4:13 pm and is filed under Business. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.