Success Stories
Everyone loves a good success story. They serve to motivate and inspire us to reach for our goals, and remind us that greater things are possible in spite of adversity.
Here are success stories submitted by our readers, some of whom have taken our courses and some who have not, but all of them have achieved success in real estate investing.
If you'd like your story to appear here, feel free to send us a message on our Contact Us page.
Real Estate Investing Is The Tool
In January of 2008 I went to listen to Darren Weeks speak to a crowd of people in Grande Prairie and was completely blown away by what he was saying, this whole concept of investing in real estate was new to me but made complete sense. Like everybody I want to be finacially free, but I also have a 3 year old daughter with severe Cerebral Palsy, she is very demanding on my wife and I, physically, mentally and finacially.
I thought to my self WOW real estate investing is the tool I need in order to be able to stay at home and spend time with my family as well as provide my daughter with the quality of life she deserves. I immediately started reading Robert Kiyosaki and advisor series books, and also went to Darrens 2 day intensive real estate workshop in Edmonton. That is where I heard about Spirepoint, I really like what they have to offer and read thier monthly newsletters. I wished that I lived in Ontario so I could take more of thier courses. Since Darrens workshop I have teamed up with 2 business partners, one of whom also has a child in a wheelchair with muscular dystrophy. We have started our own real estate investment corporation, started a website www.trifectaventures.com and have aquired 6 doors between us. While our immediate plan is to aquire more rental houses for cash flow, our ultimate goal is to build multi-unit accessable living buildings for people in wheelchairs and with special needs. Although we have not quite reached our goal yet I feel we have accomplished alot in a short amount of time and are on the right track to one day reach our goal, And we owe it all to Darren Weeks and Spirepoint Properties. Thanks again
Sheldon Dietz - Grande Prairie, Alberta - www.trifectaventures.com
Ready, Aim, Fire!
The first time I read Rich Dad Poor Dad back in 2003, I knew real estate investing was for me. Just three months later I bought two properties: one fully rented triplex and a single-family fixer upper. I sold both properties within eight months and made over $60,000. The best part was that my investment was all borrowed money - lines of credit, lender holding the mortgage... no cash out of pocket!
Since 2003, I’ve been the driving force behind purchasing 60 rental doors, four commercial condos and I also built two custom homes to sell. Together these properties totalled over $5.8 million. Increasing property values are continually building equity and cash flow is reinvested. If things go as planned, I expect to be out of the Rat Race by winter 2009.
There are always ups, downs and surprises. You must have a plan and be able to adapt and change as needed. There are always hurdles and obstacles one has to overcome! I’ve made many mistakes, some of those classic first-timer errors, and learned from them. That’s key. If you learn from a mistake, it’s not a failure, its gained knowledge.
Now that I have had some experience buying and selling some bigger deals (16 unit apartment blocks) I have been trying to create wealth and make money out of a vision. I have been working on a $20,000,000.00 + development now for almost 2 ½ years now. From a bare piece of raw land of 2.5 acres with a vision to create a small community of 144 - 2 bed 2 bath condos. On this site there will be six three storey, 24 suite buildings with underground parking. Believe me when I say there have been some hurdles at a few different levels of Government, council’s committees and residents. But I persevered and today a lot that has never been anything is now the largest project in the city of Brandon, Manitoba. Now we have started digging for the second building and foundation work will be underway soon while the first building is getting the final touches for move in dates.
My latest project involves an 88 acre parcel of land just 40 Km’s from Winnipeg that I have picked up with a conditional use for a trailer park. I met with the head planner for the area on Tuesday, June 30 and he is in favour of my proposed changes and will be presenting for me at this month’s council meeting to convert this piece of land to money making 280 lot trailer park.
Giving back is huge for me. I’ve volunteered at numerous Fast Track events, coach hockey and soccer and service on the board of directors for Linden Christian School and The Grant Memorial. Doing any real estate deals that fill a community need is another way I like to give back. I’ve prospered from others who have given and I give so others can prosper. It doesn’t get better than that.
Remember, have a dream, dream BIG, believe in yourself and NEVER give up! Learn and do... take action. Ready, aim, fire!
Marco Silvestri - 204-981-0353 - www.silvestricapital.com
Joint Venturing All Our Properties
We started investing in Real Estate in September 2007. To date we purchased 3 condos, and 1 house on our own. With our partners we have purchased 2 apartment buildings (one 24 unit and 1 18 unit) that are in the process of being condo converted. And with those same partners we have purchased another 11 properties. All are rented except the one we just finished renovating. Recently we set up two of our rental units as Executive rentals and increased our revenue by about 60%. We offer tenants an opportunity to own through our Rent-To-Own program.
And...this month we will be closing on a strip mall. How did we do it? Other than four properties on our own - we have joint ventured all our properties. Are we excited?? You bet. I read your newsletter every month and get many great ideas. It is so inspiring to read your success story as well.
Warren Keep - Saskatoon