Stay off the Highway!

[Lisa Miller]

I've sold a few, built a few, purchased a bunch, rented a few, flipped a few and lived in many homes. There was a period when we would be moving before dust bunnies developed. My children were master packers and I could have my 3300 square foot household wrapped, boxed moved and unpacked in less than 2 weeks. I kept every box, broken down ready for the next move.

My children were running joist by age six. My son hung out in the trusses while my daughter balanced the plank from dirt to full basement foundation wall. They have painted, used power tools, measured and cut siding, placed trim, dug ditches, cut sheetrock, pulled carpet, filled dumpsters, swept roofs, raked yards, cleaned driveways and gutters, built walls, hung new cabinets, hung notices, sat in court, and so much more; if they knew it or not learned more hands-on Real Estate than any book could teach them.

All that said, my 23 year old daughter wants to get into the business. Her question to me... What's the first thing I do? I thought I already taught her everything I knew. When in reality she was having fun while I was working.

So the advice I gave her...

Stay Off The Highway!

Ok she didn't get it either. Highway's are for point A to point B. Real Estate is everything in between. Take a different route to work every day. Leave earlier in the morning and get home a little later at night. Drive down roads you never new existed. Make note of the areas, write down addresses of homes that need to be rescued, FSBO, for rent, vacant. Get familiar with road names, towns, little stores. Stop and talk to store owners; ask directions to that house that's for sale, even if there is no house. They will lead you somewhere. Tell them you are looking for a home to purchase. Ask if they know anyone who needs/wants to sell. Post your business card from your day time job; write across the front in black sharpie, LOOKING FOR A HOME TO BUY. The seller sees your card and that you have a real job making you a viable buyer.

I've always told my children to be the Driver of their life not the passenger. Now I'm telling my daughter to literally drive. Turn off your GPS and drive down every road and when your done, do it again. You will meet people and when talking with them you will know where they live just by the street name. When sellers want meet you at their property, you will know where to go.

Real Estate is not easy but I've always felt time spent getting to know my area's neighborhoods is an investment towards owning a property within them.