Michael,
First of all, thank you for your very generous gift. This will not just be a one time Christmas present for the lucky winners, but it is a gift that can potentially continue to give for a very long time due to the knowledge and opportunities a Summit like this can create for someone. I'd love to throw my hat into the ring for this one.
I've worked hard for everything I have, which makes it awkward for me to tell someone "why me", why I should be considered for such a gift. A little background: I'm a 33 year old Registered Nurse working as the night shift charge nurse on the neuro unit at a Children's hospital in Atlanta, GA. I've worked here for almost 11 years now. I just got married last month and I have a 9 year old son.
Helping others -especially sick children- has always been a passion of mine. But the rewards of this job also come with a fair share of physical and emotional stress and exhaustion. I feel like I am now reaching a point where I want to start helping myself and my family plan for our future. I think real estate provides the perfect opportunity for that.
I was eight years old when I realized the potential in real estate investing. My mother worked long hours to provide for me, and we had just moved into another rental house. Her parents and brother also moved in with us because they needed someone to take care of them. She was not in a position to be able to buy a home and explained to me the difference between renting and buying a home. That's when the light bulb went on! "You mean we have to pay this man each month to live here, and when we're ready to move the house is still his and we get nothing?" I said. "Whether we live here one year or 30 years, it's still his and he just moves somebody else into the house and collects their rent? When I grow up, I can just buy some houses, let other people live in them and pay them off for me!"
That's when it "clicked", and I haven't given up the dream ever since.
My grandparents have since passed away, but my uncle still lives with my mom along with my aunt. My uncle has been battling cancer for the past 5 years or so and my aunt moved in this year after her husband passed away. My mom is still taking care of others all these years later and I want her to be able to stop working and enjoy retirement... and finally be able to take care of herself. Again, real estate offers the perfect opportunity for this.
How will this Summit help me? I'm pretty new to this game. I currently own one rental property and one rehab property that I just can't seem to get finished. My three month flip has turned into an eleven month saga becasue my 9 year old son was assaulted by his stepfather this summer and my rehab funds have gone towards attorney's fees as I'm trying to get custody of him. After I finally get this house finished and sold, I want to continue to build a rehabbing business. Eventually I want to use some of the rehab profits to start purchasing some multi-family units for buy and hold. Finally, I want to ease myself out of nursing. I won't quit it completely because it's a great job to be able to "fall back on" if need be, but I won't miss the long hours and heartache for the kids. The incredible knowledge and networking I could gain from the Summit would provide me with a great headstart towards building my businesses and securing the future for myself and my family.
If you've read this far, thank you!
Michael, I'm sorry if this turned out longer than what you were requesting. It doesn't look like I'm going to have any extra funds at this point to make it to the Summit, but if somehow I can figure out a way to make it, I'd love to shake your hand and maybe share a beverage with you to thank you for your generosity towards whomever the winners may be. Thank you for your consideration and good luck to any future entrants.
Andy Bankston
