Illinois investor is a member of Carleton’s Millionaire Elite.

Joe C. was a full-time siding contractor before he purchased Carleton’s No Down Payment® program. Now he owns 62 units, has a net worth of $1.2 million, and a monthly positive cash flow of over $10,000. “I always wanted to be a millionaire,” Joe states. “And amazingly enough, it’s attainable for the average person.”

Seeks brighter future
He became a real estate investor because he wanted to change the way his income was produced. “In the construction business,” Joe says, “if I wasn’t present at the job site, no income was generated. With real estate, income can be generated in my absence. The rent keeps coming in.” Construction work had always been seasonal and he had to work long hours from dark to dark. He was worried about getting older and also about being able to move scaffolding as he aged. Joe says that he didn’t want to be 65 and living on just Social Security.

Time off with pay!
He still works hard as a real estate investor, but it is always his choice. Now he can take time off and still get paid and the money is there for retirement. “If I put all the money I made in the past in a pot, it would never have added up to $1.2 million,” Joe shares. “The initial investment in the course was minimal, but the result of it plus Coaching has helped to make me a millionaire.”

Property “gems”
Joe calls all his favorite properties “gems.” “It’s almost hard to pick your favorite because it is almost like your kids. “I purchased a four-unit building about five years ago no money down a contract- for-deed purchase in relatively good condition,” he adds.
He paid $140,000 for it. When he went to refinance, it appraised at $232,000!
“I like that building; it always stays rented. I get $800 a month positive cash flow from it, and in just five years it appreciated $90,000,” he beams.

Favorite technique
“My favorite deals now are literally the zero-money-down deals where not only does money not come from a different source, but none of the money will actually change hands at the transaction,” Joe points out. “And this can unfold in different ways. One way is just plain zero money down. We’re not going to offer a down payment when there is not one required. We’re going to give a note or [buy on] a contract for deed and begin to make the interest payments on it 30 days from the day we sign the papers.”
He adds that there may be some expenses associated with the transaction, but that he recoups them with the first month’s rent or with the security deposit.

The good life
Joe now has a new Land Rover and lives in a new home with a steam room, a Jacuzzi®, and a swimming pool. And it’s all paid for. “Six months ago, I had a closing where I walked out with a check for $35,000,” he reminisces. “I don’t think there’s anything better than real estate investing.”