Why are you investing??

Question

I come to think a lot of why people want to invest, particularly in RE.

I have "worked actively" since I was very young with selling candy on the bus to working at a carwash when I was legally able to, to building a couple businesses from the ground up. Its all the same. Go to work and do a J.O.B.

So I will tell you why I currently invest in real estate and plan to in a great magnitude. ---> Freedom. I want to get systems in place and to minimize my actual hands on and babysitting of other that go with an actual JOB.

I want to get to the point in the next few years (under 3) that I have the luxury, if I want, to surprise my son and pick him up from school.

To be able to go back to Maui for a few weeks if I wish.

To help other motivate and guide others that have no idea that they dont have to bust their butts from sun up to sun down just to get a paycheck and make it to the next.

To spend time with family even if it is sitting at the table and playing a card game.

I could go on forever, my point is my reason is to be able to enjoy life before it is gone.

What is your reason why you invest in Real Estate?

Bill Gulley · Answer

There `are many avenues to self satisfaction. Besides the rush of an auction or getting a deal, there is more. RE can be very gratifying.

Really helping a young couple buy their first home, making it work for them.

Solving problems for others and really saving them from what they saw as devastating or an impossible situation like losing a home.

Helping others getting started in some business guiding them to success.

Being involved in community, providing safe and affordable housing, no hand out but a real hand up.

Assisting people to get back on track in their lives from homelessness.

Providing housing solutions through redevelopment cleaning up blighted areas for a better community.

Forming relationships with professionals and laypersons that seek your advice is gratifying as well.

Having the opportunity to pass on your experiences and knowledge, teaching others how to fish is also gratifying.

It's not all about the money, it's more about your contributions in life, to your family and your community.  :)

Bill Gulley · Answer

Starting out, it was about making money, further in when things become stable you get the freedom of time but the nose is still to the grind stone. Then comes financial freedom and later security. Then, it's all about the game, winning a deal, making a tough loan, putting a deal together that stumped others or taking down a property that others tried to get for decades. It's all about the game, it's just the thrill of the deal, it's fun! :)

Aaron Junck · Answer

LOVE IT!!!

This is exactly what I wanted to see come out of this post---> motivation other than just money alone.

I heard a while ago that you will never be wealthy if you are trying to reach wealth by just a monetary figure. You need to have a purpose or reason other than money to do it.

@Michaela Graham great post! Sooo do you invest in Detroit :)lol

Bill Gulley I really enjoy seeing what you have to say on all of the Forum posts. Its great to see what great can come out of real estate!

Denise Madrid · Answer

Waking up when I want to, to manage MY business.  Not waking up when I HAVE to, to make someone else rich.  I want to work hard for my money and not have to rely on anyone else!

Providing for my family while teaching my kids (when I have kids) how to invest when they are still young so they too, can have entrepreneurial & investing skills. I want to raise my own kids and not have a nanny.  Even if I have to have them tag-a-long with me to my properties or meet with clients etc..

Spending quality time with my friends and family!

Meeting and networking with like-minded people, instead of listening to co-workers complain about their job and their boss.

Endless VACATIONS!!!

Passive income!! Being able to have money work for me, instead of me working for money.

Finally having time to perfect my Ballroom/Latin/Tahitian skills and doing performances or competitions like I've always dreamed =)

Opening up my quality second hand clothing boutique so I can pick and/or trade my clothing whenever I want.  I love fashion but I'm not the big brand name type, but I'll look just as good as the rich people.. haha =p

Designing and building my dream home is one of my goals.  I've created a list years ago of what I want in my dream home and I will make it happen!

My business partner and I believe in tithing and decided to donate 10% of each of our investments, but one of our other goal is to start a charity for children.

Helping other investors reach their investing goals!

PAY IT FORWARD!

Michaela G. · Answer

In the lat 80's I watched an infomercial by Dave Del Dotto and was amazed to learn that there was a way to utilize both sides of my brain and have fun and make money with it.

I love to design. Turning something from 'yuck' to 'wow' makes me happy. SO, I got into renovating and selling. I happened to have done my first on in a neighborhood of Victorians. I lived in that house and really fell in love with the drama of the historic homes. They're so no 'cookie-cutter'. 'Character' is the one word that buyers are looking for. I did maybe 1 house a year and made about 100k each. Was good enough for me.

Money is never enough to motivate me. Probably because I grew up in Germany, where people weren't really judged by how much money or other things they had.  I am simply not interested in doing something for money, if it doesn't have an aspect that I really enjoy doing.

Later on I got into wholesaling vacant lots in a particular neighborhood that was a warzone in the '90's and the city tore all these decrepit houses down. Now there was new construction and builders were jonesing for lots. I really, really enjoyed the intricacies of trying to trace the present owner and then finding them or their heirs. Anything I could get under contract I could immediately sell to builders.

I was in California when the market crashed and found that houses in the above neighborhood were selling for 10K, so I started buying sight-unseen. I liked the idea of buying cheaply and helping rebuild the neighborhood. I also knew that this zipcode was ground zero for mortgage fraud in Atlanta, which most people didn't. I knew that the low prices weren't just because of the crash, but because there were so many houses involved and all the banks wanted to wash their hands of them. I loved the idea that I knew stuff that others didn't ;-). Most people that look at the neighborhood just think it's a warzone. It really isn't bad. While I have great cashflow, there's something called the Beltline right next to this neighborhood, which is being built in the next few years and that will really create a big increase.

Anyway, I am not in it to make money, money, money. I won't do a deal unless there's good profit. But I am not interested in doing a deal unless I have some other enjoyment with it. I have a nice life. Work very little. Started a few other businesses, that all only require a few hours per week. And am about to start something else. I prefer to enjoy the journey to just concentrating on the destination.

Darren Flater · Answer

I agree with the freedom to do what I want when I wan't. I also enjoy the game. Keeping my ears open and buying the property that all the realtors thought was junk and making it a solid cash flow property.

Michael Seeker · Answer

It's fun!

At the end of the day, I want money and freedom.  But I'd be bored to tears if I spent the rest of my life on a beach.  I really enjoy the challenge of finding properties, fixing them up and making the neighborhoods I invest in better off than how I found them.

Patrick Snyder · Answer

I like the idea of taking something that nobody wants, adding value, making it attractive, and having people decide to spend their hard-earned money on it because it's something they really like.  I also like the cash-flow from rentals (when tenants pay) and the freedom that most investors have (or are working towards).  Spending a few months on a project to see it come to fruition is quite satisfying, as well as financially rewarding.

Aaron Junck · Answer

Thats awesome Michael Seeker ! You have a purpose and your able to enjoy what your doing it sounds like to achieve that. :)

Aaron Junck · Answer

Haha  I totally know what you mean Bill Gulley .

I too love a great challenge. To be able to get an adrenaline rush out of doing something that others could not see or could not think outside the box and see the potential is great!

Why are you investing??

Why are you investing??

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