When I graduated from College I purchased a Town House in 1987. Got married in 1990 and after 7 years living in the Town House brought home a GMC Dually 4-Door and it would not fit in the Garage. Told my dear Wife it was time to move. Reluctantly she caved in and we built a house for 134K and sold the Town House for 90K leaving the closing with $9.87 in our hands we decided to split a Cheese Burger and Fries at Wendy's with the money instead of buying a 12 pack (keep in mind this was after making payments on 2 properties for 18 months).
Fast forward to April 07 I get a call from a realtor telling about a dream come true. 28.87 Acres less than 10 miles from our business. For 25 years I have searched high and low for 20+ acres within 15 miles to build a modest house and a nice shop and all I could find was multi-million dollar lots surround by fences with Beans planted, Power Lines overhead or Pipe Lines running under it. No trees...no nothing.
To my surprise the elderly couple that lived there since 1946 and purchased the "1/4" (40 acres) for $600.00 (at $10.00 per month) and wanted a quick close on the property. I drove my Wife out there, her arguing the whole way we don't need to move until she saw it. 28.87 acres of solid mature Oaks with a run down hand build house from used lumber with Pole Shed on it. She fell in love with it.
I met the owners that day and to make a long story short helped them fix their car and the deal was basically done. While standing in the entry way also the Eating Area I noticed a picture sitting on a table. A picture of a Super Pro Car in the Winners Circle. I inquired who that was. The Elderly couple said it was their Son-in-Law and Daughter from Surprise AZ Butch and Stephanie Warner. We talked a little about racing and Robert, the elderly gentleman and I were soon friends.
From April until July 4th weekend when they left for Augusta GA I went there every night and weekend we weren't racing and helped them clean and organize the place. We hauled 18,900 lbs of scrap steel, 64 tires and 100 cubic yards of concrete block from the property. Robert's health was poor, mentally sharp as a tack but physically shot. He said he would get tired watching me work. To this day I call him and his wife weekly to see how they are doing and give them updates on the "farm".
After taking possession of the property I was offered 3 times what I paid for it. I told the guy they don't make dirt anymore. I also made a promise to Robert and Margaret I would take care of their land and make them proud. My Wife and I have also become good friends with Stephanie and keep in touch.
The crew comes out at least every other weekend for Team Building Activities like Chain Sawing 48 inch Dia Trees, Splitting Wood, digging holes with a Backhoe and Bonfire Supervision to make room for an 18,000 sq ft shop...oh, and Deanna's (my Wife) house.
It was the best investment I have made yet. Now if I can get 75% of the Tax Assessment of the current house I will have come out far ahead on the house deal.
There is more to an "investment" than money!
Fast forward to April 07 I get a call from a realtor telling about a dream come true. 28.87 Acres less than 10 miles from our business. For 25 years I have searched high and low for 20+ acres within 15 miles to build a modest house and a nice shop and all I could find was multi-million dollar lots surround by fences with Beans planted, Power Lines overhead or Pipe Lines running under it. No trees...no nothing.
To my surprise the elderly couple that lived there since 1946 and purchased the "1/4" (40 acres) for $600.00 (at $10.00 per month) and wanted a quick close on the property. I drove my Wife out there, her arguing the whole way we don't need to move until she saw it. 28.87 acres of solid mature Oaks with a run down hand build house from used lumber with Pole Shed on it. She fell in love with it.
I met the owners that day and to make a long story short helped them fix their car and the deal was basically done. While standing in the entry way also the Eating Area I noticed a picture sitting on a table. A picture of a Super Pro Car in the Winners Circle. I inquired who that was. The Elderly couple said it was their Son-in-Law and Daughter from Surprise AZ Butch and Stephanie Warner. We talked a little about racing and Robert, the elderly gentleman and I were soon friends.
From April until July 4th weekend when they left for Augusta GA I went there every night and weekend we weren't racing and helped them clean and organize the place. We hauled 18,900 lbs of scrap steel, 64 tires and 100 cubic yards of concrete block from the property. Robert's health was poor, mentally sharp as a tack but physically shot. He said he would get tired watching me work. To this day I call him and his wife weekly to see how they are doing and give them updates on the "farm".
After taking possession of the property I was offered 3 times what I paid for it. I told the guy they don't make dirt anymore. I also made a promise to Robert and Margaret I would take care of their land and make them proud. My Wife and I have also become good friends with Stephanie and keep in touch.
The crew comes out at least every other weekend for Team Building Activities like Chain Sawing 48 inch Dia Trees, Splitting Wood, digging holes with a Backhoe and Bonfire Supervision to make room for an 18,000 sq ft shop...oh, and Deanna's (my Wife) house.
It was the best investment I have made yet. Now if I can get 75% of the Tax Assessment of the current house I will have come out far ahead on the house deal.
There is more to an "investment" than money!
