Often people ask me what made me want to invest in Real Estate, especially at a young age.  My response often is very puzzling, I simply tell them, “because I am crazy.”  At least that is what everyone was telling me at the time.  I heard everything from, “you don’t know what you are doing” (which was partly true) to “do you want to fix toilets all day?”  I soon found out that repairing a toilet, or even replacing one, was a very simple and inexpensive task.  You see, when I started investing in Real Estate, times where not so good here in Michigan.  We had high unemployment, high interest rates, a declining job market; sound familiar?

Then, a few years later when things started turning around with the economy and the housing market, the homes I purchased and cash flowed years earlier were increasing very rapidly in value.  Guess what people were telling me, “You were lucky to have purchased those homes when you did, you have the flexibility with your time, you don’t have to work for anyone and you are financially independent”.  The people telling me I was lucky were stuck in jobs and careers they disliked.   I soon realized the word ‘Luck’ was a loser’s excuse for a winner’s success.   There was nothing “LUCKY” about my years of hard work and dedication to what I believed in.

Now in this declining Real Estate Market with unprecedented uncertainty I am purchasing properties.  Guess what people are asking me.  “Are you crazy?!!”  I just smile and say,  “Yes!”

Chris Yatooma, President

Real Estate Investors Association of Oakland