I saw it in a faded magazine ad — printed months ago, long forgotten by most. Back then, in 1999, I was living in an office building, crashing where I could. When that fell apart, I moved into a wholesale retread warehouse, then finally landed in the W.O.W. building.
A few friends checked on me. I had no home, no money, and almost no hope. But I scraped together $95, mailed away for a packet — and I waited.
The Mysterious Beginning
The ad wasn’t flashy. It didn’t scream success or promise riches overnight. It simply said something like:
“Make money from real estate — even if you’re broke.”
That’s all it took to get my attention.
I mailed off my money, not even sure if I’d get anything back. But I was willing to risk it.
Back then, survival meant finding a warm place to sleep and praying my next small gig would cover groceries. But something about that ad stirred a deeper desire.
Not just to survive — but to rebuild.
A Life in Transition
The W.O.W. building was supposed to be temporary — just another stop in a string of places. I had already lived in an office and a tire warehouse.
But my body was giving out.
I had an undiagnosed liver condition. Every time I looked in the mirror, my skin had a strange green tint. I had lost my job, my wife, and my home. I felt sick, weak, and ashamed.
But underneath it all, something refused to quit.
The Turning Point
The packet arrived while I was doing odd jobs for Jay to help cover the rent. I didn’t open it right away.
When I finally did, I realized it wasn’t just a stack of papers like I expected — it included a well-bound book titled Charter Financial, clear instructions, and everything I needed to begin. That was the moment the journey started.
I didn’t know it then, but that name would mark the first milestone on my path into the world of real estate notes.
Lessons from the Journey
Jay paid me $430 a month. Rent was $125. Heating? Just $24. Groceries ran me around $75 — plus electric, gas, insurance, and the usual little things that eat at your wallet.
After all that, I had just enough left to place a few classified ads in the paper:
“I Buy Notes.”
But no one called. Not one.
Eventually, I ran out of money. But something had shifted:
For the first time in months, I had tried.
And in that trying, a seed had been planted. That’s what this business — and life — is about: planting seeds, even when you don’t see the harvest yet.
That little $95 packet may have looked simple, but it opened my eyes to the creative power of owner financing — a strategy clearly explained in this Investopedia guide. If you’re holding a note, understanding this concept could shape your next financial step.
A Message to You
Whatever you’re going through, look forward.
What may feel like the hardest decision today could become tomorrow’s greatest blessing.
That little moment of courage — that small investment of belief — could be the spark that changes everything.
I didn’t know it then, but that one small decision to open the packet led me to you.
If you’re holding a note, maybe today’s your moment to open a new door too.
📞 Have Questions?
When you’re ready to talk, I’m here to help
👉 Visit my homepage to learn how the process works and schedule your free consultation.