You’ve heard me say that there’s no such thing as a born real estate investor. Folks, I was W-R-O-N-G!
On June 18, 2008, at 8:13 a.m., at the Cartersville, Georgia hospital, Chad and Terrah Whitlock – though it was Terrah doing most of the work – gave birth to Harper Anne, a born real estate investor!
Understand, Chad and Terrah aren’t trying to control Harper’s life. Harper is welcome to become any type of real estate investor she chooses: single-family homes, apartment buildings, commercial property or trailer parks – it’s all good!
Why do I say Harper Anne is a born real estate investor?
As Terrah lay on the birthing table (now, I don’t know what a “birthing table” is, but I’m guessing that it’s a table with a built-in catcher’s mask and mitt), the anesthesiologist was trying to help with the pain Chad was feeling in his hand as Terrah applied a crushing vice-like, I’m-going-to-have-a-baby-and-it’s-your-fault grip.
To get her mind onto something else, the anesthesiologist asked Terrah what she did for a living. Terrah replied that she was a real estate investor. Dr. Ribot, who was delivering Harper, announced that he too was a real estate investor. Terrah and Dr. Ribot began jabbering away about houses and deals. The first words Harper heard – and you’ll want to get a tissue because this is real emotional stuff – were about the virtues of owning single-family rental homes!
Doesn’t this touch your heart? Talk about a magical (sniff) moment. If Harper isn’t a born real estate investor, then I don’t know who is!
By becoming a real estate investor at such an early age, how will Harper’s life be affected? In a word: Freedom! Harper will never have to punch a clock for a living. Better still, before she’s thirty, she’ll be a real estate millionaire and be able to do what she wants, when she wants.
Don’t get me wrong – this isn’t a “silver spoon in your mouth” thing. Harper will have to work her tail off for everything she gets. While her peers are sitting around playing video games, Harper will be sweating buckets as she cleans out and rehabs investment properties.
For example, the other day, while out making offers, I happened upon a rental property owned by Wes and Bonnie Mullinax, our realtors. The tenants had moved out, and the property was in need of landscaping and cleaning. Jordan, their daughter, was loading trash into the truck. Cooper, their son, was in the flowerbed swinging a pickaxe. Talk about an education!
By the time Harper turns eighteen, she’ll probably own three or four rental homes, and like Jordan and Cooper, know more about business plans, the tax code and balancing bank accounts than do most adults.
If Harper Anne could talk, I think her first words would be: “Let’s get started!”
Do you seek real-world real estate investing information? Go to BillandKimCook.com. It’s packed with free creative deal structuring techniques and strategies. Bill and Kim Cook have been investing in real estate since 1995. Their portfolio consists of single-family rentals, a small mobile home park, plus notes and options. If you have questions, give Bill a call at 770-815-8727.
