Eric Van Kirk

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Profiles:

I am an actively licensed Realtor in Southwest Florida. I moved here in 2004 and have been on vacation ever since. Being close to the beach is a truly wonderful thing.

I got started in real estate a few years ago as I was watching more and more late night infomercials since I had just moved to Florida and had yet to meet anyone. I was drawn in by those late night infomercials. Needless to say I bought some and actually ended up learning some valuable information.

I was, fortunately, quickly priced out of the market as I had no money to put down so I was in that ever elusive search for a seller willing to fully finance a young, so I think, bartender with a desire to learn all he can about real estate investing at 100%. I found one and bought. I paid $285K for a 2400 sqft duplex. Not terrible at $118 a sqft but in retrospect I could have done so much better.
I rented the other half to a friend of mine who brought along his friend to live with him. The friend has a dog. I didn't allow pets, but this is a friend of my friend, who is also now my tenant, so they kept the dog, no deposit. I spent the next two years living in one side of my investment while I had sudo roommates, whom I rarely charged much rent living on my side. There are many things I will not repeat again.

Within that time I went to seminars, networked at local investors meetings, and read as much as I could on investing and how to do it properly. I learned even more. Unfortunately, Murphy reared his ugly head. A lost payment by the bank, fatal blow to a great credit score, and the collapse of the real estate market at the time I was scheduled to refinance have been a slippery slope we are still sliding down but seem to be coming to a smooth ending.

I am very interested in creative financing like owner financing, subject-to, lease options, and anything I can imagine to help get the deal done.

If you are, or know anyone who is interested in buying a primary or secondary home, looking for a good investment with some good, positive cash flow? If you would like to partner on a quick-turn or a long term rental please feel free to contact me.
I am also always open to advice as well as constructive criticism. I can never stop learning as I love real estate and intent to be investing for the rest of my life.