When I began my career in real estate in 1992 I was still in college and not completely sure which direction I would go within the real estate.  Quite frankly, I wasn't fully engaged into getting into the real estate business for my career until 1993 when I switched majors from the PPA program (a professional accounting degree) to my eventual Real Estate/Finance major. 

In 1994, upon graduating from The University of Texas at Austin, I went to work at Keller Williams Commercial, Shopoff-Gurkin, for Doug Gurkin.  Doug was one of the two brokers who owned KWC and much of the business that he had done over the prior few years had to do with helping investors, many of whom hailed from California, buy investment properties, mostly duplexes and fourplexes, in the Austin area.  Most of them had purchased their investment properties between 1989 and 1992 so by the time 1994 rolled many of them had experienced significant gains on their property's valuation and were looking to exit the market, via a 1031 exchange, and reinvest somewhere else.

If you've very much of what I've blogged about you've probably noticed that I enjoy studying and discussing market trends.  Much of this interest was sparked during my time at Keller Williams Commercial and during my previous time at Brock Consulting Group.  Even with my dealings with my clients who are looking to sell and buy a home, I bring that extra ingredient of analysis to the equation and take pride in making sure my clients get a good deal for whichever side of the deal they are on.

This takes me really to one of my main goals in real estate - to help my clients achieve financial security through their real estate transactions. 

It starts with the first time homebuyer, who moves from renting to owning their first home.  The statistics show that the average net worth of a renter is less than $5,000 whereas the average net worth for a homeowner is over $170,000.  Its a fantastic feeling to help someone find that first home, at a good price in a solid neighborhood, and know that they've just taken a monumental leap toward increasing their net worth and financial security.

From there the next step many of my clients take is moving up.  In en effort to help my clients financial situation I typically offer a move-up program to my clients.  Many time moving up in price range can make the percentage increases in the market have a bigger effect on your bottom line net worth.

After that, most of my clients start to consider buying an investment property.  It really is a fantastic idea for someone who really is looking to increase their net worth and provide a future income.

Recently I went to an investment class and I will share more on buying an investment property, the art of getting in with no net first year cash cost as well as 100% financing in my next blog.

If you have any questions feel free to contact me off of the West Elm website or email me at Brink@WestElmProperties.com .