Welcome back, friends. As we close out 2024, it’s the perfect time to conclude our look at real estate investors. Over the past year, we’ve discussed the various types and their unique approaches. Before diving into the final category, let’s take a moment to recap what we’ve covered.
- Wholesale Investors: These are the folks behind those “We Buy Houses for Cash” signs on street corners. It’s an easy entry point into investing, requiring minimal knowledge. However, that lack of knowledge often leads to trouble on most deals.
- Flip Investors: Think Chip and Joanna Gaines or your favorite HGTV shows. Flip investors buy, renovate, and sell homes. While it can be lucrative, it’s a constant hustle to find the next deal. Trust me, I’ve been there—it’s exhausting!
- Big Box Investors: Companies like Opendoor and Blackrock are shaking up the industry by buying properties in bulk. While some worry they’ll buy everything, these firms focus solely on spreadsheet-driven metrics, lacking the vision to see the potential in “diamonds in the rough.”
- Buy-and-Hold Investors: These are the patient lions of the jungle, holding properties long-term for appreciation or rental income. Some are proactive, but others fall into absentee landlord territory, neglecting their properties and the communities they’re in.
Now, it’s time to talk about Real Estate Strategists, a category we at MCM proudly call our own.
Why “Real Estate Strategist”?
You might wonder why we created a separate category for ourselves. Couldn’t we just call ourselves buy-and-hold investors and move on? Not exactly.
Here’s why: Over my thirty years in Fort Worth real estate, my career has been anything but static. I’ve worked in every role mentioned above, gaining firsthand experience in each. Early on, I started as a wholesaler, finding deals for investors and flipping them for profit. Once I struck out on my own, I tried everything—renovating and flipping houses, selling property bundles to wholesale funds, and more. Ultimately, I found that buy-and-hold investing provided the best returns, which is where I focus most of my efforts today. But along the way, I learned something important: real estate isn’t just about the property—it’s about the people and communities behind it.
What Sets Strategists Apart?
In my opinion, what distinguishes a Real Estate Strategist from other types of investors is the mindset. I’m not criticizing my fellow investors—I work with many great ones, and I even train new ones at MCM University. However, I’ve seen firsthand how some investors buy properties and then neglect what happens next. When homes are left unoccupied or poorly maintained, the entire neighborhood can suffer.
At MCM, we’re committed to creating solutions for people. Real estate isn’t just a financial transaction; it’s deeply emotional and tied to the health of our communities. Strong, thriving neighborhoods lead to appreciation—and that benefits everyone.
Here’s how we do things differently:
- Putting People First
We prioritize the seller in every transaction. Whether it’s an overwhelmed family dealing with an inherited property or a homeowner in a tough spot, we approach every deal with patience, respect, and transparency. - Providing Tailored Solutions
Every house we buy serves a purpose. Maybe we’ll add it to our rental portfolio. Perhaps we’ll match it with another investor who can unlock its potential. Either way, the focus remains on solving problems, not just collecting properties. - Building Trust
Over the years, realtors, investors, and homeowners have come to us with deals no one else wants to touch. Why? Because they know we’ll handle these situations seamlessly, offering fair terms and sticking to them.
It’s About More Than the Transaction
Being a Real Estate Strategist means thinking beyond the immediate deal. It’s about building relationships, improving neighborhoods, and creating win-win scenarios for everyone involved.
When you focus on solving problems, not just flipping houses or building portfolios, your work becomes not only more meaningful but also more sustainable.
So, whether you’re a seller looking for real solutions, an investor inspired by this mindset, or a realtor looking for a trusted partner to help your clients, let’s connect. Because at MCM, our business isn’t about properties; it’s about people.
