Your Riches Are In The Niches? What the heck is that supposed to mean? Aside from the rather catchy title, this concept has been in and out of my consciousness for the last year or so. Let me explain.
I have been in and around the real estate industry since I was 10 years old. Let’s just say that equates to as many decades that I have fingers on one hand. I started by helping my Dad and Uncle Ernie paint and clean their rentals. They would tell me that if something is clean and in somewhat decent shape someone would buy it or rent it. My Dad was and Uncle Ernie continues to be wise beyond their years. Although my Dad is now in Heaven, Uncle Ernie is still an active real estate broker in San Francisco. He is loved beyond words and most of his business comes from referrals. At age 92, he now has 68 years of experience. I am both happy and proud that he was one of my first mentors. Let’s get back to the title of this article. Please don’t misconstrue that “niches” are the “shiny objects” that one chases as they aspire to make “millions in the real estate business” or the “get rich quick overnight” syndrome that plagues each and every one of us by advertising and emails that bombard our mailboxes on a daily basis. Niches, by the definition I am referring to, are “a situation or activity specially suited to one’s character or abilities.” Okay… well, I love things that fly thanks to my career Air Force pilot Dad. Rockets fascinate the heck out of me so my 26-year stint with NASA was the most incredible experience of my life.
And real estate seems to be in my DNA since a great majority of my family is made up of Realtors, General Contractors, Developers, and the rest just love living in homes! (Just kidding, I had to account for the rest of my family!) Strangely enough, I was able to find interesting intersections on how and why I am where I am now. I learned about rehabbing houses and managing rentals when I was relatively very young. I’ve always had a love of art and things of beauty instilled in me by my parents. I learned about honor and integrity, doing the right thing even when no one is looking from my parents too. I learned about service above self when I would spend countless hours, days, weeks, and months sleep deprived while helping launch Shuttles, satellites, and being a part of our nation’s space program during both exciting and devasting times. I also saw first hand what it was like to see my friends and colleagues lose their jobs after the Shuttle Program ended. They also lost their homes and their marriages too. The suicide rate climbed during those dark years.
I vowed that if I EVER got into a position where I could help people find a place to live and keep their homes, I would do it! I have been a long time investor even during my years at NASA. My husband and I became quite successful at the “Buy and Hold” and “Fix and Flip Game.” Thanks to a couple of “Un-Reality” TV shows, I knew immediately my “niche” had to change. Suddenly, everyone was an investor/rehabber/wannabe. The “buy and hold” and “fix and flip” market and inventory dried up, and I realized that I needed to diversify after I evaluated what the market was doing. Either that or go belly up. One always has to evaluate their situation and strategy or end up on the same path as the Duck-billed Platypus. Now the niche part. I have always “zagged” when everyone was “zigging.” I found out about investing in real estate notes and was both intrigued and amazed I could “be the bank!” The banks are where all the money is. They loan money at double digits and give you single-digit returns for opening an account with them. No wonder they give away Dum-Dums at the teller window! There is enough distressed debt to go around for everyone. There are so many ways to win by helping banks get rid of their bad debt, helping homeowners keep their homes, AND get greater than average returns on your money sitting idly in the bank waiting for the bank to make more money off you! Isn’t it time to change your “zig?” If you want to learn more, please call, text, email, or courier pigeon a message to me. Let’s talk!