Today we’d like to introduce you to William Harris.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
In 2005 I was working for Hewlett Packard and got laid off. At the time I had several rental properties and I remember doing all the work on all the deals I purchased. I fondly remember my Realtor did little to no work, so I decided to get my real estate license. At the time I loved looking for deals, meeting and talking to contractors to discuss rehab budgets. The before / after look and feel of a flip once it was completed still gives me a high to this day……
Now I try to epitomize integrity, energy, hard work, and creative service in every real estate transaction. I have been a full-time agent/broker since 2005. I’m a 17-year Real Estate industry veteran. I have worked in every aspect of the industry representing sellers, buyers, and investors in both the residential and commercial market.
I use my experience and foresight to proactively address details before they become an issue. Four words I live by are integrity, commitment, passion, and fun. To date, I have created several millionaires through Real Estate. I advise my clients to go after the UGLY deals that are most often overlooked. Once the UGLY deal has been rehabbed my investor can flip it, refinance and pull some cash out then rent it, or live in it for two years. If you live in a property for two years then sell it, you can avoid capital gains tax. I love Real Estate because the possibilities are endless, if you are willing to take calculated risks.
I know a lot of people are asking, is it still a good time to buy? In my opinion yes because even though interest rates are high, rent rates are higher. When interest rates go back down and they will, you can refinance and get a lower monthly mortgage. A landlord will never lower your rent, only raise it…..
I’m an active member of the Atlanta Real Estate Commission. I have made a high-level commitment to my real estate education, having been mentored and coached by several of the most highly acclaimed real estate experts and coaches in the industry. I graduated from North Carolina A&T State University with a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, then obtained my MBA in Business Administration from Strayer University.
Later this year, I will be releasing my first Book detailing the importance of Home Ownership.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I have encountered several struggles during my Real Estate Journey. From the 2010 Real Estate Collapse, to now dealing with low inventory.
Dwelling on problems causes stress and hampers productivity.
I see problems as opportunities to get better and enhance my skills.
I was an Investor before and lost it all during the 2010 Recession because I was over-leveraged in Real Estate.
Now my clients benefit from my past failures because I tell them to have a diverse portfolio (Stocks & Real Estate).
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about The Harris Team?
We focus on single family, multi-family, & new construction investment opportunities.
On every transaction, our goal is to under promise and over deliver. I specialize in flips and sensitive situations for example (help an owner sell a house with a horrible tenant, by advising them on how to get the tenant out legally).
My investors are very happy because I’m constantly locating solid off-market deals and they are experiencing record returns in this market.
One of my client’s project was recently featured in Urbanize
https://urbanize.city/atlanta/post/downtown-home-for-sale-townhome-mechanicsville?utm_source=Urbanize+Newsletter&utm_campaign=b6331449da-news-atlanta-daily-2022-03-08&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f2c8779a36-b6331449da-199588942
Currently; I’m dealing with several couples that are now getting divorced due to COVID19. These deals are usually very sensitive because they generally don’t want the neighbors to know they are selling. I keep the matter private by selling the house off-market. Even if the house is not showroom ready, I can still move the Property for an amount higher than the owners expected. If all the money is tied up in the house no problem. I structure deals where the sellers get paid at closing, then the buyer holds a small amount of the seller’s proceeds and lets them rent back the house from them. The buyer is happy because they were able to purchase a home without a bidding war. The sellers are happy because they can now pursue their new life with a nice amount of money in the bank.
Not everyone is breaking up though.
Some people are moving because they didn’t have kids before but after COVID19 they do now. They are selling because they need more room for their expanding family. COVID19 forced couples to fall out of love or further in love which equals kids.
Our Goal at The Harris Team is to create WIN-WIN scenarios.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up I was heavy into Star Wars. Return of the Jedi was my favorite movie for years.
My family would take me to the movies but they would not let me watch a lot of TV.
They Called TV the idiot box and they made me run outside.
Funny, to this day I don’t watch a lot of TV and I exercise daily.
Two out of my Three favorite shows now are Star Wars produced;
My Favorite shows currently are;
The Book of Boba Fett’, The Mandalorian, & Billions because I love seeing how whales move on Wall Street.
Growing up, I had an entrepreneurial spirit and my parents helped me cultivate it.
As a kid I used to cut my family’s investment properties grass, I was lucky because my dad had two trucks and let me drive one.
That truck helped me make the Dean’s List in college. My dad was smart because he knew I didn’t care about school but I did care about wheels! My Dad was always forcing me to think outside the box. I remember him making me do the math when I cut a yard that took 30 minutes, as opposed to working somewhere for minimum wage. He taught many valuable lessons at an early age.
It’s strange because when I was younger, I knew I was going to do Real Estate and attend North Carolina A&T. My Uncle Ralph was in Real Estate and had several Porches (he still does to this day by the way). Also, his sons Mark and Kirk had Proches back then and they were into Real Estate too. Kirk just got a new 911 and I can’t wait to see how fast it can go 0-60+ mph. Getting into Real Estate & attending North Carolina A&T have been two of the best decisions of my life. A&T is and was much more than a university, it provided me with the tools that make me successful today.
Looking back, I can see I was blessed with a loving, nurturing family that stressed education and finances. My family really exposed me to a lot when I was younger, that people in the neighborhood where I grew up still haven’t experienced to this day.
I tell my Mom and my Step Mom THANK YOU ALL THE TIME!
They always ask what I am thanking them for. Now that I’m older, I can’t put my gratitude into words…….
Contact Info:
- Email: billsellsatl@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.theharristeamrealty.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theharristeam_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheHarrisTeam.ATL
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheHarrisTeam_
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSIyd2Y-NVnMZDSb8raWYfw
Image Credits
raybphotography.org
