All Forum Posts by: Anthony Hulse

I must have an entrepreneurial mindset, because I keep coming back to running a business.

Long story short, I quit teaching when my son was born with severe disabilities. I got into the mutual fund and insurance business and earned enough so my wife didn't have to teach, and I could be home whenever my son (and later my other kids) needed me. We also got the trips to Hawaii, the fancy car etc., etc.

In 2008 as you know the industry found itself up the creek without a paddle, and at the same time I started to suffer the effects of a chronic illness I didn't previously know I had. My business suffered badly, and I lost money, and nearly lost the family home.

I got my health back and I decided to go back to teaching and really enjoy my role as a High School teacher. I absolutely love the job and would hate to have to quit. However, I have that itch to scratch: I miss some aspects of my old business, including the ability to write your own paycheck.  I also have family goals that I would like to achieve, including getting my kids on the property ladder, and looking after my son with down syndrome for the rest of his natural life so that he never as to rely on the state.

I have a motorbike riding buddy who has experience in real estate and who is now a mortgage broker, and so have committed to work together.

So, I'm excited to be here, and have a ton to learn, but I'm looking forward to the journey.

BTW having read more on this site I realize that 90% of the people who express interest in this business do nothing. More to reassure myself than anyone else, but I quit a good job as a school administrator to go into business, and was making good money, until 2008. So I was successful, and learned how to take risks, run a business, and all about the `numbers game`. When I quit I got trails and renewals for life, so at least it gave me a small income.

However, I hung on for a year too long, got sick which cost me big time (un-diagnosed hemochromatosis - if you are Irish get tested), and then decided to go back to teaching to save the house and the family. I had to get re-certified etc. Now I`m back teaching I love it, and will not quit: it's very fulfilling .

So, I`m going to keep my day job. But I`ve learned enough about making money on my own pen`to know I can do this. And I want to do this. And my business buddy has been through thick and thin with me, and is now a mortgage broker, having been in realty before.

I want to say thanks again for so much input and advice, and encouragement. I'm going to take my time and figure out my goals, get to some local REIA meetings, network, find a lawyer to get set up properly, network, and do lots of homework. I've ordered Secrets of the Canadian Real Estate Cycle: An Investor's Guide, by Don R Campbell, but I sense that the best deals are probably in the US.

I'm going to go back over this thread and check out any of the hints, leads, tips or insights that you have given me.

 HeHe - some very like that!

OK - my personal financial goal is to care for my kids. 

One is handicapped and will need care all his life, so I would like to purchase a fourplex type building so he can live in one with a carer, and the rents pay for all his costs etc. A fourplex in Calgary will cost about 800K

My two other kids will go through University - one ones to be a veterinarian. I would like to pay for that and get them on the property ladder. Starter condos here are north of 300K.

I lost money in my previous business before going back to teaching 3 years ago and so lost all (250K) of my pension. I have that to make back.

 Ultimately: I'm trying to make money - so I need to find the market I want to work in, and the best strategy for that market.

Here in Calgary the median house price is 525K - but with the price of oil that's going t drop.

Maybe/probably there's better markets in the US.  The biggest US city to me is Seattle.

Wow, what a lot of helpful answers. I really appreciate it. 

I left the seminar yesterday after 28 people had signed up to spend thousands for more training knowing that it was right to leave, but having that doubt in my  mind (planted by the multi-millionaire presenter) that I was about to become a loser.

And 18 hours later I have a ton of info and the advice of some great people.

Thanks.

Well, thanks for the reassurance. I guess I'll read your posts ;)

I thought something smelled because we kept getting tip of the iceberg info with no meat.

This company did have a cool online portal to find different kids of property - eg., foreclosed, divorced, tax liens, peak buyers etc. Are the similar sites a person could join?

I was at one of those seminars with a business buddy that are advertised from time to time. Info seemed great. They wanted 2K for the next level of training - we coughed up. Again, great info, and really whet my appetite and opened my eyes. But then they wanted 40K to get to the next level of training. Huh?

How many people are successful when going it alone or with a buddy without a system behind them? A better question may be whether MORE or LESS people are successful with a system behind them?