Why the HUD VASH program became my real estate companies primary

[Elizabeth Clyde]

I have a couple older real estate advisers and some own around 10-17 properties.

They always stress business practices that guarantee their ROI…because they remember buying properties at 500-5,000 and really making huge profits by buying low and waiting years and years to sell…and they still kept buying expanding territories and moving underneath the radar not ever really knowing until the next world catastrophe would hit but always ready for whatever.

Recently, one of them told me his company made so much the irs came in to even verify the legitimacy and he said he sat their while they went through every paper and receipt his wife of 30+years kept and they are still together to this day making big bank…the advice was, “Always find a way to work with government entities and always have your paperwork in order.” 

When many businesses were locked up (forced to close their doors, “force: coercion or compulsion, especially with the threat of violence”) paying tenants with good jobs were just devastated (some I agreed not to evict if they simply would vacate and in 3 cases I had to do this and it worked out great for both parties I only had my attorney involved once and the tenants vacated the next day) it was honestly as if a wave of depression in their spirit was being sensed, relatives passing, and I could feel as a business woman and a wife and mother I needed to restructure my real estate business with consistent on time payments and secured at a rate that maintains my living standards.

I was explaining some of my tenant responses to another adviser and she began buying houses for her grandchildren. She said her goal was one each, and she has 14 grandchildren and counting…she has exceeded her goal and recently had a health scare at one of her commercial units she fainted and they said it was from dehydration but everything is much better now for her enjoying her family time…we all must pace ourselves and take good care of ourselves that is something else a lot of my advisers stress, health is golden.



I digress, she said, "Elizabeth, you need to call HUD and ask to speak with their veteran homeless department, they have case workers that help maintain the process." She looked me square in the eye and said, "Not one of your homes can afford inconsistent payments because you are running a business. Buy low and rent to veterans only for the next two years, until all this stuff calms down. You have got to get AHEAD OF IT."


So I am on year two of renting to HUD VASH voucher holders because I do not know what the future holds but I do know that government entities will usually have resources available for renters. The HUD VASH program is also not income based it is for any veteran that is at risk of experiencing homelessness from the foreclosure on the mansion to the soldier that has lost his way on the street, this program is well supervised and I’ve spoken to case managers who want to make sure I feel comfortable renting to whom they send my way. Some are in programs that provide employment and pay the deposit so it takes about 5-30 days to process I would say 14 days until payment of deposit and first months rent on average—as utilities must be placed in tenants name and maintain on during the entire lease with a 12 month, currently only one of our properties includes utilities and that one has highs and lows in a vacation area yet tight, think Paris apartment in front of the beach and that will describe it…


My real estate business has afforded me the opportunity to do many great things. I keep recalling my award by the WNBA as Woman of the Month for my efforts in the community with about 10 of my community children staring back at me. I now have two sons with my amazing husband who served in the Air Force and that also helped me feel like I’m giving back to the program that America stands on.


I also have an opportunity to run a successful nonprofit that is fostering a love for literacy and STEM across all ages, Clyde Publisher’s. We have a Family Star Gazing event at Shelby Farms on April 14th for National Look Up At the Sky Day and my organization will be awarding the STEM Teacher and STEM Student of 2022 with a few surprises from 5-8 food trucks, science games, and miniature horses I believe what I do in real estate affords me a unique opportunity to plan fun give back efforts that families can attend.  This event is also in honor of children’s STEM book called, “Champion and Dominion Explore the Galaxy”

I know a lot of mothers are always looking for an industry that keeps us present with our children or providing the quality of care that is important to us and real estate has done that for me since I was 21. 

I also know the importance of staying on top of your company finances and you can only help so many people which is why the profit must be guaranteed, all of it and it’s created credit leveraging opportunities I couldn’t have dreamed of because it’s a balance of quality and quantity, I am not in a race to own the world, but I am going to take my time owning what’s important for me and my family.

Lastly, I was a 2012 Memphis Links Debutante and it was a deep requirement that we go into society and help anyone we can with whatever we can however we can.

I took it a step further and asked myself could my real estate business help me create a life of living and giving, receiving and giving, and is this the flow to life?


Well, I’ll just say it doesn’t hurt to have a business in the United States of America. The American dream for me is complete self sufficiency with effective and efficient money making systems that are accurate every time like a machine…I work alongside my husband who manages all contractors and I handle our tenants and of course we come together for finance to stay on top of what is going on.