Russell Holmes

I first joined Bigger Pockets in 2017 as a way to learn about real estate investing. At the time I ran a mobile service business that had nothing to do with Real Estate. By February 2018 I had my Real Estate License and hung it with EXP realty. Great place for a newbie to start RE as a side hustle. I ran my business by day, and learned by night. Luckily I had schedule flexibility allowing me to give any RE clients full time efforts despite it not being my full time income. By June 2019 I was full time RE and closed the doors on the 12+ year old service business. Many many sales were to follow of Single Family, multis (2-9 units), brrrrs, flips, rehabs, rentals, and long nights crunching numbers. Within 3 years, I had grown tired of the Retail Sales Brokerage rat race, the limitations of a retail sales brokerage, and the fluff spouted by those gunning for 'top agent' status at the expense of following through after the sale. I made quite a lot of money for quite a few out of state investors in 2020-2022, but as materials, mortgage rates, and labor rates all climbed, several clients' true colors showed through, they talked a good talk, but didn't follow it up with genuine trust or honesty. Altogether it led to making me realize I was giving my all to some folks who wouldn't do the same in return. I was just a means to an end for the money-hungry and chose to go a different way. I couldn't see more good tenants and good contractors get plowed over in seeking higher paper returns. I stepped away from Bigger Pockets, out of state clients, local meet ups flooded with 'wholesalers' and took a more local and human approach to real estate. We had two JV Brrrrs under our belts and a loyal local clientele. I started turning down out of state folks who wanted to bleed me dry of knowledge and skill, only to turn around and fumble their own decision making. I could only reiterate information so many times before realizing the true self starters would go learn all of that and come to me for collaboration and not spoon-fed knowledge. It was due time to reign it in and focus on what I'd like my future to look like for my family (my wife and 5 kids deserve it!) rather than always chasing deals for OOS investors. I got my RE Broker's license in December 2022 and launched an Indy Brokerage: Backbone Brokerage LLC. My office is at my house, in an addition we owner-permitted and I've personally done nearly all trades on. I don't have any agents or staff by choice. I'm not trying to beat any big name brokerage at their game, I was trying to create my own thing so I could stop waiting on brokers and staff to do their job. My brokerage is quite literally a way to 'hang my shingle', broker real estate, and have nobody but the State overseeing me. Many who get broker's licenses aim to reinvent the wheel, but for me, it was meeting the requirements to simply run my own show without having to wait on others who tend to never do the job they're supposed to. Due to the recent NAR settlement, I'll be discontinuing my NAR membership and becoming a Thompson Broker and/or MyStateMLS affiliated. Licensed with the state, but not funding bias national organizations and lobbying groups. I took some time away from Bigger Pockets, local meetups, and making Real Estate my life, it was too much to juggle it all. I've bought and sold for existing clients, SOI folks, and family, and I've had a lot lower stress thanks to making some changes in who I will and won't jump for. My wife and I purchased 9.46 acres of beautiful property in early 2024 on amazing seller finance terms. It is in Umatilla/ Lake Co FL, right in the path of progress with 700' of road frontage, a 40x60 metal building, bathroom building, well, and plenty of natural peace and quiet.. For now, we've launched a gourmet mushroom grow operation, an edible plant nursery, and a HipCamp campsite to help cover the land expenses. Long term it'll likely be prime development property. Mid-term we may partake in a minor lot split to sell 1/4 or 1/3 of the property, almost like a BRRRR with land. Still 'in' real estate, but exploring some of the outer niches away from the oversaturated core of BRRRRs and sales that occupied the first 3-4 years of my career. That gets old after a bit, :). If you're looking to collaborate on something unique in the central FL area, reach out and connect. Starting a business venture that needs a broker involved? Reach out, I always love new business ventures! I'm still taking limited buyer and seller clients, but I'm far from the 'typical realtor' ready to jump for everyone that claims to want to purchase. If info can be gained from Google, BP, and reading, I don't need to be the one spoon feeding the info, I like working with self-starters who wish to collaborate on a higher level than the basics. But if you've consumed all of the available info and want to dive in on creative approaches beyond the general, let's talk. Land trusts, JV BRRRRs, seller finance, additional dwelling units, Accessory Dwelling Units, future land use zoning overlays, lot splits, lets talk. If you're looking for a typical Realtor ready to host an open house or show 47 cookie cutter houses, sorry but...that ain't me! I like doing my own thing, having fun, and making a difference. I actually care about tenants as much as I care about property owners. If they are great tenants, I will not screw them over for a profit. There are many ways to make a profit and be a decent human. If you care more about people and doing good, while aiming to make money along the way, great. But if you put your bottom line above ethics, morals, people, and seeking truth, feeling like everyone on your 'team' is replaceable.... I'm better off without your stress on my plate. Life is short, enjoy it and be a good human.