What made you want to start investing in real estate?

Question

I have different a motivation for everything I do.  I wanted to start investing so that I could create wealth by means of cashflow.  I knew that generating positive cashflow each month by renting out my properties would be something I would like to do.

I also thought of my children and wanted to leave the property for them if they ever want to keep the cash flow coming in or just out right sell them.

I wanted to know what your motivation was for getting into investing.

Toby Munk · Answer

I just started to buy land in Colorado and have not stopped ever since. I like the leverage of land but obviously cash-flow is an issue in this style of investing.

I saw that the recreational values offered by locations close to ski resorts will be growing as people retire. The market was undervalued and still is.

Mark N.A · Answer

Real estate is one of the great 'meritocracies'.

One does not succeed based on looks, height, weight, religion, gender, ethnic origin or political correctness.

Success comes from much hard work, a lot of learning, more hard work, some brains, and probably a little bit of luck as well.

I like the fact that there are so many approaches that can work.  I like the fact that I can run my business in a way that suits me and fits my personality.

Unlike the stock market, where tens of thousands of analysts are analyzing most every stock out there, real estate is an inefficent market where a determined and savvy investor can search out and exploit market opportunities before the herd discovers them.

I feel like there should be an American flag waving behind me right now with the Star Spangled Banner playing in the background, but to me real estate is what America and capitalism are all about:  with some hard work, determination, guts and grit _anyone_ can succeed in this great land of opportunity.

I am blessed to live in this time and place.

Account Closed · Answer

How did I get started? I bought a couple of acres because I needed a place to keep my horse.

I paid $9,500, and that piece of land is current worth about $4.5 million.

Cash flow really isn't everything (it did take 40 years)

Account Closed · Answer

I'd have to say my Grandma got me interested...

Read my BiggerPocket article on how my Grandma got me started

What Grandma Taught Me About Real Estate
http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2008/06/23/what-grandma-taught-me-about-real-estate/

I continue because I can do some good for foreclosure victims...and it's the only retirement vehicle that will keep pace with inflation.

And I get to "play" Warren Buffett...

Adrian G. · Answer

I got in to real estate because I wanted to have all the time in the world along with the money, cars, and women, vacations, etc. So far I have accomplished everything. Only thing left is to acquire large apartment buildings like 50-100 units and see how long that takes me.

Mz Daizy · Answer

As a receptionist for a RE Investment firm I saw all the loan officers and Re agents wearing the best suits driving the best cars and always networking, doing lunch, putting together deals and seemingly happy with never being in the office.  I was stuck in the office doing all of their calling escrow companies, title companies, typing their listings for the MLS and getting not even close to the happiness and "stuff" they had...I said hey what's wrong with this picture?!?!? I'm just as smart, driven, deal negotiating as they are and then I set out to put my money where my mouth is.

Got to make it happen

Greg Shaw · Answer

I am being forced to retire in 4 years, due to pension claw backs by the company, and because my company provides such a poor pension already I needed a way to supliment my income. I have no desire to be rich I am only interested in maintaining my present standard and my rental investments will do that.

Timothy W. · Answer

I started investing because I had to.  I saw what it did for people.  Once you start eating the spice and your eyes turn blue - you can't go back.

Daniel Kirkpatrick · Answer

Wanting financial freedom from the 9 to 5 grind.  I just don't know how people can be okay with becoming corporate rats.  I simply could not stand it.

N/A N/A · Answer

Really, it was when saw our first Landlord doing it while working a 9-5 in SoCal back in the early 1980's.  We thought, WOW, what a concept!  We pretty much renovated "our" home for him, he was willing to pay for material as long as we did the work.  It was a win win!  We had a renovated house to our liking, he had a great tenant, and a beautiful home when we left.  We only did that once then bought our own home & did the same.

We knew we wanted to be landlords, but we are "slow and steady" people.  When the timing was right for us and we could afford the risk, we took the plunge.  Once we got the bug, it has been hard to stop!  Win-win is our way of landlording :)