It’s almost time for the trilogy to be complete. That’s right, HOLD—the third and final book in our Millionaire Investor Series—is prepping for its grand entrance this fall, and we can’t wait to share the wealth building power of the trifecta with you!
A strong financial future is key to a successful business venture or stress-free retirement. But simply having money won’t get you there—building wealth will. And with the October release of HOLD on the horizon, our author experts are ready to teach you how to start your journey.
Over the next five weeks, we want to formally introduce you to each of our HOLD specialists in the “HOLD Meet the Authors Series.” Every Thursday we will feature a new author and give you an extended insider look at our first-rate wealth building team. And to kick us off, we’re letting Gary start the intros with a sneak peek of his foreword:
HOLD Foreword by Gary Keller
I will never forget my first investment property. Why? It taught me one of the most important rules when it comes to real estate investing—cash flow is king.
It was 1984. I had just finished taking my first real estate investment class and was excited to apply what I had learned. So when a well-located condo came across my radar at a price point I could handle, I jumped. Six months later, the market dropped, the value of my investment plummeted. I saw several of my neighbors sell at foreclosure for about a third of the price I’d paid. But I couldn’t afford to lose money—especially in year one.
So, I didn’t. I held on.
Long story short, I held that property as an investment for sixteen years and never lost a cent on it. In fact, not only did it continually cash flow, but once the market reemerged, the value had increased so much that I sold my first real estate investment for a terrific financial return.
The moral of the story is worth repeating: cash flow is king. As long as a property cash flows, it is a worthy and lucrative piece of your wealth-building portfolio that will lead you to financial freedom. This is such an important investment fact to remember, we actually thought about titling the book “Cash Flow.”
The truth of the matter is money is everywhere. You just have to know where and how to look for it. You wouldn’t step over a $100 bill on the sidewalk. Yet, most likely, you pass by thousand-dollar deals every day on your way to work or the gym or the grocery store.
"HOLD" will teach you how to spot the extra cash cleverly hidden in plain sight.
In 2005, we wrote the best-seller "The Millionaire Real Estate Investor" to provide an insider view on real estate being a rewarding place to invest your money. “Anyone can do it. Not everyone will … will you?” was our slogan, and readers from all walks of life—stay-at-home moms, entrepreneurs, CEOs—got it, and wanted more.
Two years later, we partnered with Rick Villani and Clay Davis to write the best-seller "FLIP." Rick and Clay were definitely it for the flip side of investing. At the time, they had more than fifteen years in personal real estate investment experience, plus over 1,000 flips with clients, and interested investors wanted to know how.
"HOLD" completes our investor trilogy by teaching you how to find, analyze, buy, manage, and grow investment properties long term for financial return. And, holding true to form I thought, “Who better to co-write with than people who have learned, lived, and perfected the HOLD strategy?”
Enter Steve Chader, Jennice Doty, and Jim and Linda McKissack.
Jimmy and Linda hit my radar in the early ‘90s, when they were looking to reinvent their financial futures. From day one, I knew they were destined to be successful investors. Their commitment, accelerated learning curve, and integrity were sure signs that I wanted to be in business with them.
In the same vein, I met Steve in the late 90s at MegaCamp. He was one of a small group of real estate professionals who attended, and he stood out as not only a bright guy but, even more than that, a focused achiever. He quickly joined the leadership ranks among agents and continued to excel, independently finding outside talent to team up with. Welcome Jennice.
If there is one thing she knows, it is property management. Having worked as a longtime property manager, Jennice, at the time, had many years of behind-the-scenes, firsthand investment experience. Thankfully, she was able to learn her lessons watching others’ mistakes. So, when the opportunity arose to partner with Steve in property management companies along with personal investments, her “I spy” goggles were already on.
Twenty-some years later, the four have morphed from pupils to professors in the classroom of wealth building. As their personal journeys have continued to grow, so has their passion for helping others begin their own tracks to financial freedom.
"HOLD" is more than a step-by-step strategy for increasing your wealth. It’s a road map to building your financial future. And, Jimmy, Linda, Steve, and Jennice have more than paid their dues as HOLD experts through finding their own proven paths to financial freedom. If you follow the route they’ve plotted for you here, I know you too will be several steps farther on your wealth-building journey.
I want to congratulate you on buying this book. You are in great hands!
Gary Keller
Cofounder and Chairman of the Board,
Keller Williams Realty, Inc.
