investment property — Sarah’s first home in Atlanta, GA in 1998.

I am going to date myself here, but I bought my first home in Atlanta, Georgia on April 24, 1998. I was so excited to move from my tiny apartment where I had to trek two flights of stairs to get my groceries from my car to my kitchen, to my quaint fixer upper in Home Park, a neighborhood that was on the up and up, but wasn’t there yet. My list of DIY projects was long, and my budget was tighter than tight, but I was ready to make this house mine. Now I know it is hard to imagine but this all took place before the age of Google, so I had to get creative to figure out how to do things like re-finish the original heart of pine floors, patch plaster walls, do something with the ancient pastel pink, avocado green and bone white tile that was installed half way up the kitchen walls … and there were no cabinets in the kitchen with the exception of the sink base with a sink that was probably new in my grandmother’s early days. I think the appliances that were too!

Even so, I was positive that these temporary inconveniences were outweighed by the positives of homeownership, and they were. I was no longer paying rent … and, as a newly employed consultant at Ernst & Young, I had the added benefit of writing off my mortgage interest on my taxes which offset income. My interest rate was a whopping 7.5% on my adjustable-rate loan (which was actually considered low), but I didn’t care. I was officially a homeowner!

After completing my home improvements, I began the effort of furnishing my sweet home on my shoestring budget. Craig’s List was my Facebook Marketplace. I found a comfy blue and white striped sofa with a matching oversized chair and ottoman, complemented by side tables, and accessorized with knick-knacks that I scavenged at the Pottery Barn outlet. I have such fond memories lounging on that sofa snuggled in a blanket with vanilla scented candles from Pier One burning with Sarah McLachlan tunes playing in the background savoring a glass of wine.

In addition to the benefit of my newfound independence, I was living for FREE! I quickly found two roommates that covered the majority of the costs of my home, the mortgage, mortgage insurance, homeowners insurance and taxes were funded by the rent… so I was basically living expense free except for utility bills, which were split three ways. Because my living expenses were so low, I was able to build up my savings to fund my next real estate deal. I was “house hacking” before house hacking was a thing! Less than one year later, I bought the duplex across the street, the first of hundreds of rental properties I have owned over the past 24 years.

Buying my little house at 453 Calhoun Street was the first step in my real estate wealth building journey. I currently own millions of dollars worth of real estate and have created a life that I love as a real estate investor, builder, and realtor. My path has not been a straight one … my family and I have weathered many ups and downs and market cycles. But I will tell you, some of my most amazing opportunities and treasured relationships have come from what others have considered “horrible” markets. I am excited to share with y’all the good, the bad and the ugly parts of my journey as a real estate girl, mama of four sweet and sassy girls, wife of a serial entrepreneur, and someone that strives to see the gift in every moment.

It doesn’t seem that long ago that I was asking myself basic questions about real estate, overwhelmed by all the things you need to do to buy a home. The list was long! I knew I wanted to own a bunch of homes, but even saying the words out loud sounded like crazy talk… I wasn’t even 25 and I didn’t have any money. But I figured it out … it took lots of time and effort and I made lots of mistakes along the way, but I did it! And you know what, you can too.

If you want to take your first step in real estate, I would love to be a resource for you. Please contact me with any questions you have … I am a firm believer that the only dumb question is the one you don’t ask. I look forward to connecting!