Interview Tuesdays with Nicolet Nathan | Real Estate Investor

Welcome back folks,

Today's Interview Tuesdays will be with the real estate investor queen, Nicolet Nathan.

She is an up-and-coming real estate investor who is currently on the market to buy houses in the Dallas, TX area. She is a recent graduate from the University of North Texas with a BBA in Fashion Design and Marketing. She is multifaceted with her designs being featured in college fashion shows, and previously owning her own custom-made masks business. She has always been passionate about real estate and has decided to dive headfirst into making her real estate dreams come true.

I had the opportunity to interview her this month to ask her about her real estate business, her advice for future real estate investors, and how her journey in real estate is going.

So, if you would like to also dip your toes into the real estate waters or get to know another queen doing her thang in her respective industry, then continue reading.

Nicolet’s Interview 

Tasha: Tell me about yourself and your new real estate venture

Nicolet: My name is Nicolet. I graduated from the University of North Texas with a double major in Marketing and Fashion Design. I had a corporate marketing job and realized it wasn’t the best fit for me. During that time, I learned that you could make a career out of real estate without being a real estate agent, which led me to create my own real estate business, Helpful Homes Investment. I decided to rebrand the company and change the name to Nicolet Buys Homes because It would be easier to remember. I am currently looking forward to growing my brand recognition.

Tasha: What made you pick to go into real estate?

Nicolet: I loved watching HGTV in high school, especially the Property Brothers, the House Hunters, and Flip or Flop. I’ve always loved anything that had to do with houses. I still love watching room tours on Youtube. I also had inside influence within my household, since my dad is a real estate agent, himself. I did have fears about going into the real estate industry, so I never made plans to go into it until this past year at my last job. I was sitting at my previous job listening to the Rich Dad Poor Dad audiobook. It was discussing employer’s lack of incentives/ pay raises offered to employees because they feel like the employees have nowhere else to go and won’t quit for financial reasons. They won’t leave the position for those reasons despite the circumstances at work not being in their favor. A line stuck out to me about how rich people make the money work for them while poor people work for the money. This situation was similar to the one I was experiencing due to the company I was working for not showing me that they valued my work and how it contributed to the company’s success. This podcast audiobook also touched on the benefits of real estate, but not in-depth. I started looking into real estate and found out about real estate wholesaling. It’s how you can get started in real estate investing with little to no money. This interested me so much that I started my company and quit my job.

Tasha: What Interests you the most about the real estate industry?

Nicolet: I like how I have the opportunity to offer nice homes to people who would more than likely not qualify for mortgages through Owners' Financing. I can finance homes for people like immigrants, low income, people who have experienced foreclosures, or evictions in the past. It’s a great place to be in a position to give people nice homes because everyone deserves to live in a nice neighborhood. I also learned that most people who reach millionaire status became that way due to their real estate ventures. There is so much opportunity and space for everyone in real estate because people will always need homes.

Tasha: Is there any advice that you have been given that has helped you in real estate?

Nicolet: The best advice that has been given to me is to make calls because it’s the easiest and fastest way to find a deal. I also learned that consistency and following up is key to success in this industry as well.

Tasha: Is there any advice you can offer based on your personal experience?

Nicolet: These three are pieces of advice to help you if you are starting off in the industry 1) don’t quit your job until your real estate income is higher than the money you are making from your job 2) everything costs money, have a some money saved up 3) don’t give up or get discouraged, someone will say YES.

Tasha: I noticed that you have another business, how has that business been going?

Nicolet: It was going good, I made between 80-100 masks for the business. I decided to quit the business because it was taking up all my time that I could’ve been using to jumpstart my real estate business. I enjoyed the business because I enjoyed helping other people. At the time, It was hard to find masks but now masks are easily available for people to purchase elsewhere.

Tasha: Do you have any other ventures besides real estate and the previous custom made mask business?

Nicolet: I am currently focused on my real estate business, but I am interested in doing Airbnb in the future. I would like to have it up and running by next year. It will come in handy when people start traveling again after the COVID-19 risk has decreased and made it safer to travel.

Tasha: How have you been able to balance your business and other ventures?

Nicolet: It hasn’t been easy due to the procrastination bug I developed in the 6th grade. I want to focus on keeping myself accountable for my goals and the tasks I need to accomplish to succeed this year. I am working on that every day and making sure to not let fear hold me back from going for it.

Tasha: COVID 19 doesn’t seem to be getting any better, how has this impacted real estate?

Nicolet: In the beginning, people were not buying real estate for about 2-4 weeks, unless they were buying cheap properties. It did bounce back after the first couple of weeks and people are actively buying houses and moving despite COVID-19. I think the only thing different is that there are virtual showings and masks are required to see the property.  I do know some people have lost their jobs or businesses and are going to have to downsize or sell their home in order to avoid foreclosure. I hope that those impacted negatively can sell their homes or get back on their feet before being evicted. I also want to be a resource for people to learn about all the options they have in these situations, even if I’m not their buyer, I still want to help.

Tasha: Are there any realtors you look up to for inspiration or encouragement?

Nicolet: I have quite of few actually. I look up to Ricky Carruth because he is an awesome realtor, who sells over 100 houses by himself every year and offers free classes for realtors on how to dominate the real estate industry. He provides awesome tips and is a great source for those starting out in real estate. I look up to Joshua Smith, he has a great podcast and has no ads, so it’s easier to just listen straight through. I look up to Quintavius Burdette, he made $500,000 his first year by cold-calling and keeping himself accountable through his own 4-point system. I look up to my current boss, Joe, who is a broker and has his own rental properties. I learn a lot from him on the daily about the ins and outs of real estate. I look up to Pace Morby, he is a great source of knowledge about real estate. He does these 24 hour Q&A’s where he will stand up for 24 hours and answer any real estate questions you have for him and doesn’t make you sign up for his course to receive this vital information. This led me to sign up for his mentorship program, which I find rewarding and well worth the price. I have a couple of others as well, such as Sandra Nesbit, who is a wholesaler and has her meetup group where she helps other investors learn how to be successful. Her co-star Freedom Johnson is a real instate investor, who offers tips and advice for how to navigate the real estate industry. And lastly, my dad, who is a great real estate agent and is always available to guide me and help when I need him.

Tasha: How has being a black woman in your industry impacted you, or if at all?

Nicolet: I don’t think being a black woman has impacted me at all in this industry. Every event I have ever been to, everyone has always been so friendly and helpful. I’ve seen a lot of black successful wholesalers who have inspired other black people to do the same. So, when I go to these events, I see a lot of other people who look like me. There tend to be a lot of black people getting into wholesaling due to the low barrier to entry; however, when I own more properties and start doing higher level real estate ventures, I feel that I may experience discrimination due to being black, a women, or both.

Tasha: Any advice for fellow black queens?

Nicolet: Don’t be afraid to call people and reach out. It’s better to start now than to procrastinate, so don’t be afraid to get yourself out there. Watch who you decide to invest in or pay to be your mentor because some of these programs are expensive and not helpful. Do your research. And lastly, get everything in writing when working with another realtor or broker investor.

Tasha: What kind of impact do you want to make in the real estate industry?

Nicolet: I want to do something similar like Ricky Carruth, an honest and helpful agent. I want to be an honest buyer and provide my clients with all the information needed to be successful in their home selling experience. I also want to be the best wholesaler possible, where I can sell everything that comes to my business. I want to help wholesalers, and make sure that no contracts are canceled, and everything is closed out.

Tasha: Where do you see yourself and your business ventures in five years?

Nicolet: I want to have five rental properties for section 8 housing for people in nice neighborhoods that will make them feel safe in their own homes. I want to be able to finance homes for those who can’t such as immigrants, self-employed, etc. I also want to have an Airbnb and have paid off my student loans by then. Lastly, I want to try house hacking where I buy a duplex, live in one side, and rent the other side out. This will make it where I live free because the other rented side will pay for the full-duplex.

Tasha: How can people connect with you to sell a home to you?

Nicolet: They can put their information on my website selldallashousequick.com. They can also call me (214) 206-3552 or follow me on my business page NicoletBuysHouses or my Instagram page @NicoletBuysHouses.

End of Interview.

I would like to take a moment to thank the brilliant Nicolet Nathan for being apart of my Interview Tuesdays series and highlighting the benefits of being in real estate. Real estate is a booming industry and has created more millionaires in this century than any other industry.

So, if you’re into real estate investing or want to sell a home, please connect with this queen below.

Nicolet’s Information

Instagram: @NicoletBuysHouses

Facebook Page: Nicolet Buys Houses 

Website: selldallashousequick.com

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