Net Worth Update January 2017 – Karl the Real Estate Agent (+4.74%)

Welcome to the Million Dollar Journey January 2017 Net Worth Update – Team MDJ edition. A select group of readers were selected to be part of Team MDJ which was conceived after my million dollar net worth milestone was achieved in June 2014. Karl the Real Estate Agent was selected as a team member and will post net worth updates on a regular basis. Here is more about Karl.

  • Name: Karl
  • Age: 35
  • Day Job: Employed as a Real Estate Agent Full Time.
  • Family Income: $150,000 (Personal full-time job); $TBD (Income from consulting company); and, $100,000 (spouse full time job).
  • Goals: Mortgage paid off by 36 (done!), million dollar net worth by 40.
  • Notes: Almost all of net worth is in the real estate market (principal residence). Starting to invest in the markets now.

Even more changes in the last 6 months. I have parted ways with some of my savings to purchase a stake in a consulting firm. The idea has been on my mind for a while so I took everyone’s advice and ditched the Porsche (with a slight loss) and took that money to buy in.

So far in just 2 months it has proved money well spent and is going to allow me to increase my annual earnings substantially. I’m on track to re-coup my investment inside of the first 4 months and forge ahead from there. I decided to do this as a way to help protect myself and my income from the looming correction in the real estate market. I was also drawn to the benefits of being able to operate as a corporation. So I have seen a dip since the last update but I am still in a now in a good position to make the most from 2017 and massively to my net worth through investments.

Personal income is up substantially with this insane housing market (Yes I know the correction is coming). I sold my rental property recently when the mortgage renewed and took that money along with some savings and paid our house off completely!! We are super excited. Never thought I would get there on the timeline I set for myself. Goal #1 complete. Right after I had the opportunity to purchase a property to flip. With the market continuing to rise, the flip turned out a lot better than I had
originally planned which netted my corporation a hefty profit. Furthermore, I have also taken on holding a second mortgage which pays 12%/year for a one year term as well as setup and discharge costs. This investment is secured against the property.

Goals for 2017 – With a rise in my wife’s earnings due her crazy work ethic as well as with having our home paid off I’m super excited for what the year should bring. We are currently able to live off my wife’s wages completely and as such we are hoping to save as much of my wages as possible. We have some projects around the house that we have put off while we pushed to get the house paid for and they now need addressing. That being said nothing will be paid with credit.

In regards to investments 2017 looks as follows.

TFSA – Both to be maxed in contributions
RRSP- Waiting to see how the taxes look this year but I will be finally contributing again.

That really is my focus this year. Finish up around the house and save like crazy.

I welcome everyone’s comments and feedback.

My spouse and I currently live in our fourth personal residence since entering the real estate market in 2006. We used to move around town when I was able to find a decent deal to buy. That has all changed now with two kids (6&8), so now my real estate
investing is done outside our principle residence. I currently own one rental semi-detached 3 bedroom in my personal name.

In terms of savings, I’m automatically making bi-weekly deposits into my TFSA to max out the year but I still have plenty of room left. However, my wife’s account hasn’t been fully funded over the years. I’m looking forward to learning more about investing in securities and transitioning away from rentals as they are extremely labor intensive investments that take a lot of time away from my family.

The biggest financial challenges that we face are a lack of budgeting and a lot of  discretionary spending. Having the majority of our household income being commission based and somewhat seasonal has been a battle since day one.

Net worth numbers:

Assets: $752,800(-39.9%)

  • Cash: $2,500 (-37.5%)
  • Registered/Retirement Investment Accounts (RRSP): $8,300(+12.2%)
  • TFSA: $22,000 (+15.2%)
  • Business Account : (0)
  • SAVINGS ACCOUNT : (0)
  • Rental Property 1: SOLD FOR $290,000
  • FLIP PROPERTY 1: $432,000 SALE PENDING
  • Collector Car: $45,000
  • Holding Second Mortgage @ 12%: $60,000
  • Consulting Business: $60,000
  • Principal Residence:$600,000 appraised 2016 (+9.00% )

Liabilities: $39,500(-93.1%)

  • Principal Residence Mortgage : $0 Paid in Full
  • Rental Property 1 Mortgage: $129,541
  • Rental Property Line Of Credit: $20,000
  • Principle Residence Line Of Credit:$480,000
  • MasterCard: $4,500 (+125%)
  • Wife’s Car: $35,000

Total Net Worth: ~ $713,300(+4.74%)

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FT

FT is the founder and editor of Million Dollar Journey (est. 2006). Through various financial strategies outlined on this site, he grew his net worth from $200,000 in 2006 to $1,000,000 by 2014. You can read more about him here.
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Al
7 years ago

Karl what type of consulting firm did you get a job with? It looks like a decent source of secondary income!

Karl
7 years ago
Reply to  Al

Al I would love to expand on my consulting gig but unfortunately it would be too easy for my identify to be sourced.

Leighton
7 years ago

Thanks for keeping us up to date on your progress. I always like to see where other like-minded individuals are at with their progress towards their goals.
You sound quite confident in you post that there is going to be a real estate correction. What are your reasons for having such a strong opinion about this? Also, what city are you in? Thanks.

Karl
7 years ago
Reply to  Leighton

Leighton,

My feelings and predictions on the real estate market are solely mine and I have as much hope of being right as the next guy.

That being said I was in the industry during our last quick correction in 2008 and after seeing and living through a quick 6 months of real estate turmoil I need to protect my lifestyle against it.

My biggest reasoning though for seeing a correction is being east of Toronto we have seen a huge influx of foreign money into our market which has pushed prices through the roof and at the same time increased the amount of single family rental homes 10x in the last 2 years.

Perfect example : House sells for $800,000
Up for lease the day after it closes for $2400 a month
Taxes are $7000 a year.

Doesn’t add up to me. What goes up must come down, and when it does there is lots of money to be made. :)

john
7 years ago

Amazing job. If you’re able to stay out of debt, live off your other income, and then bank/invest everything else –it is incredible.

Karl
7 years ago
Reply to  john

Thanks John.

That’s the plan and its a constant source of struggle. Just need to keep the compound interest calculator on my computer and not autotrader lol

alexa katz
7 years ago

This is so inspiring. Thank you so much. I was exploring the topic on how to not waste all that money on a wedding. I definately agree it is better to invest it or do something more productive.

Karl
7 years ago
Reply to  alexa katz

Alexa,

I’m glad you find it inspiring. All the credit goes to the frugal trader. Without my accountability to this blog I can honestly say I would be no where as close to my goals. I’m not perfect and still waste alot of money but this keeps me from staying off track for too long.

I’m excited for what 2017 can bring me.

Leo T. Ly
7 years ago

It’s great to know another fellow realtor blogger (I am also a realtor). Good thing that you are settling down on your principle residence as the CRA may make you pay capital gain tax if you buy and sell too often. It’s all in the opinion of the CRA when they audit you.

Matt
7 years ago

Good post. Are you investing in index funds across global markets to protect against local downturns? Diversification is key for long term consistency and risk reduction.

Karl
7 years ago
Reply to  Matt

Matt,

Plan is to invest in Blue Chip Canadian Dividend paying companies to take advantage of DRIP and tax advantages.

Even from what I own now I’m more of the passive investor and with time on my side my #1 concern right now is getting my money into the markets asap.

Karl
7 years ago
Reply to  Karl

After doing some online research I have decided I’m going to be going the Vanguard route.

My ability to earn money is much better then my ability to try and get an extra 1-2% on my stock account so I have decided to just focus on being frugal and getting the money working in my Vanguard Dividend Fund.

Samantha
7 years ago

It looks like you are doing very well, and I think it’s smart that you are trying to diversify out of real estate, as a huge correction is indeed coming.

The Financial Tech
7 years ago

Well done Karl, you’re on the good way to get 1m of net worth.

My Own Advisor
7 years ago

Very well done Karl. If you’re able to stay out of debt, live off your wife’s income, and then bank/invest everything else – you’ll be set for life within another 10 years.

Mark

Forebiz
7 years ago

Sounds like you are making some better choices. You seem to like taking some big risks which is OK if you are willing or able to lose. I also did an investment on a second mortgage years ago thinking it was a no brainer (also 12% annual paid monthly). When time came to repay initial investment things started looking shady. I was eventually repaid in 6 months including interest but a short time after that other similar investments they had started to fail. My father in law lost $500K and many others lost as well. Lesson to learn is if it sounds to good to be true it generally is. I can almost guarantee that the appraisal on the property you have is overvalued. I’ve included a link to the company in question with one of the lawsuits that proceeded. This was not the property my father in law invested in, he chose not to go to court because his lawyer said they would win but the company had nothing so winning nothing would cost him in legal fees.
http://www.canlii.org/en/ab/abqb/doc/2013/2013abqb317/2013abqb317.html
Also check this article out. Be safe out there.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/advisers-view/investment-scam-artists-broaden-their-arsenals/article27630374/