Going Cold Turkey

 I'm writing this blog to get my thoughts out and to hopefully provide humor and insight into our process as we start our adventure into full time real estate fix and flip investing...  

So... let me introduce myself.  My name is Amanda, I live in Santa Cruz, CA with my equally entrepreneurial husband (Aaron) and our two small kids (Finn and Avenly).  Aaron is currently a corporate pilot, I'm a stay at home.  We split time on the investing business when Aaron's home.  And our kids... well, they're just really cute... and expensive.

We are blessed that Aaron has such a well paying job.  However, the past 2 years have basically been hell.  We don't have family in the area and my husband travels ALL.THE.TIME.  Our daughter started asking a year ago "when is daddy coming home", "why is daddy always gone" and through tears "I just wish daddy could be here".  IT SUCKS.  

We've been trying to launch a real estate investing career for a year solely through the MLS but have not been able to flip a single house (even though we've been in and out of escrow half a dozen times).  The market is insane, like if the distressed houses in the bay area were a dead animal and investors were scavengers, the vultures have gone turbo charged and they all came out of hiding at once and have swarmed to this one animal.  ITS CRAZY!  Like 12-30 offers on one house within a day or two and 75% of them all cash and bid up like way above asking price.  I think people have lost their minds...  I should point them to a good mental hospital... I'll let you know how that goes...

So, fast forward to 3 months ago.  We decided TO GO COLD TURKEY.   

We are moving our family to Colorado where I'm from and Aaron is not going to look for another flying job.  Wait, what?!!!  We are launching a massive marketing campaign and we're just. going. to. make. it. happen.  Not a slow easing in sort of transition.  Not even a rapid easing in transition.  COLD TURKEY.  You're crazy, you say.  You've lost your mind with all the other bay area investors, you say.  Irresponsible, foolish, careless, stupid...  Nothing I haven't heard (well, mostly have seen on the reaction on people's faces).  But the thing is, I DON'T CARE.  I'm going to make my life what it should be and I'm not afraid to take a calculated risk.  'Cause you only get one of these lives and it isn't very long.  And I'd rather be the idiot who chased after my dream and failed than be the risk-adverse who stays in a dead end job that is sapping their joy and making their families miserable.  So we're just GOING TO MAKE THIS WORK. 

Ok, that was my brave speech, how did it go??  Here's the other side:  I'm FREAKING terrified, I've got 2 small kids, I'm moving back in with my parents and I must be totally crazy!!!  Ok, done...

Now for the more encouraging part (my shameless way to try to bring you a little bit back to my side).  Aaron is a real estate broker, my background is in architecture and construction management.  We are building our campaign before we get there and the big AND:  we have a year's worth of living expenses.  Ok, so not so risky...  but its still A BIG DEAL, right???  

So follow me, if you find it helpful (and hopefully a little humorous), on my detailed adventure into a whole new, entirely exciting and equally terrifying life.

Ok, now its your turn to skewer me.  Have at it...