Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Summers.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I set out on this journey into real estate when I was 19. It was 2011 and I was getting ready to have a baby. I decided it made the most sense to buy a house rather than rent a three bedroom apartment. So, that’s what I did. My mortgage came to $500/month for a three bedroom vs. $1,300 for a three bedroom apartment.
During the home buying process, I looked at many foreclosures that had been destroyed before finding my home. I closed on my house the day before I gave birth to my son.
After seeing the condition of a lot of those homes, I decided I would begin a business working with REO Agents (agents who listed bank owned properties), and help them revitalize the home to sell at market price. Fast forward to 2018, I decided to get licensed as a Real Estate Agent so I could be the one selling the homes and rebranded my company as a property management company.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Of course not. I was 19 years old with a newborn baby and freshmen in college. I had a lot of responsibilities and the money wasn’t consistent. I ended up acquiring a lot of credit card debt because I lived off my credit cards throughout college.
My biggest challenge was keeping employees working for my company when I didn’t have enough work to give them for 40 hours a week. Then, when I did have work, I had to call everyone I knew to see if they were available that day. I ended up doing a lot of the work myself but I mean, I get gully so it was all good.
Please tell us about Lauren Summers Real Estate.
My focus has been on first time home buyers. I strive to open the eyes of my peers and help them realize that they are throwing away about $20,000 in rent on average each year. That money could be applied towards the equity in their home which is their assets and net worth.
What sets me apart is that I’m looking to help those who don’t know where to get started. Many Agents do not want to help buyers in the early stages because if they do not purchase a home, in the end, the agent doesn’t make any money and it’s a waste of their time. But I’m here to help, so as long as they’ve learned something and I’ve been able to alter their mindset about finances, I’m satisfied. Whether they buy a house next month, next year, or five years from now, or just tell their friends.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
If I had to start over, I would have put more work in at the beginning to earn more opportunities, take on more jobs, and create consistent income for myself and my employees. It took me a long time to realize you have to get comfortable being uncomfortable. I needed to knock on doors every day and seek more opportunities.
Contact Info:
- Address: 815 S Peachtree St
Norcross, GA 30017 - Website: Laurensummersrealestate.com
- Phone: (404)933-1896
- Email: lauren@laurensummersrealestate.com
- Instagram: @laurensummersrealestate
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaurenNicoleSummers
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