Why Real Estate?

Every new Real Estate Investor should ask themselves one simple question; why am I doing Real Estate?The first reason that all investors will give is, of course, the money.And money is a good reason, but it isn’t a motivator, nor does having it necessarily mean having a happy and fulfilling life.The honest answers, however, will be different for everyone.I think every investor should take half an hour or so to really, honestly answer this question.This question is the single most important motivator for investors, new and old alike.I’d like to share my reasons.

1.I have been in the corporate world for the last 12 years; I am a systems engineer.Yes that is working on computers; No I will not fix yours for free.In my 12 years, I have worked hard for many companies, and have reached the top of the pay scale for what I do.What does that mean?I have gone nearly as high as I can go without changing what I do.This also means that someone else dictates how much money I make in a year, and someone else can decide that my efforts are no longer needed.Yes I have faced the uncertainty of lay-offs, and budget cut-backs.I have been put in this position four times over the course of my career, and the last time I faced it, I promised myself that never again would my fate solely rest in someone else’s hands.You see I am the sole provider for my family, which we will discuss next.

2.I am a father of three boys.I enjoy being active in their lives.We like to play video games together, we play cards together, among many other things.Over the years I have been many things for my kids; Coach, cub scout leader, and most recently Karate blocking dummy.I have also been gone a lot.I work in IT (again no I won’t fix your computer for free) and I keep very long hours.At some times in the past I have put in 100+ hours in a week; granted it was the exception not the rule, but still even averaging 50+ hours a week, you miss out on many things.Don’t take this the wrong way, I’m not whining, I made my choices; I am just explaining my why.

3.My mother’s health has deteriorated over the last few years, and she lives 5 hours away from me.I want to be able to leave any time I need to should she need something or maybe just to surprise her once in a while.

4.I like to be able to give back to those who need help, it gives a good feeling.I know when I was young and dumb, a lot of people helped me in many various ways.I like being able to do the same for others that are going through hard times.

5.And finally I do this so that my wife and I can (eventually) travel the world like we have always talked about.I have always wanted to tour Europe from the back of a motorcycle, and my wife, well she’d prefer I not ride (she’s a worrier), but she wants to see new things, and go new places.She keeps whispering something about a Hawaiian vacation, but I pretend not to hear (oops hope she doesn’t read this post).

I have many other “Whys”, but you’re probably tired of reading.Yes I look forward to the payday, just like any other investor, (I hate the “robbing Peter to pay Paul” mentality), but the money isn’t my motivator.The money doesn’t keep me out trying to put deals together day after day.It just isn’t a big enough reason.I see it as the means to achieve the end I want.I am a goal oriented individual, and I will keep looking forward to my goals and watch them get closer and closer.When I eventually pass them by; I’ll have to make new ones to strive for.

Please tell me some of your "Whys", I'd love to see what motivates others.