Stewart Hsu

If there was one thing I learned from my good friend, Carlos Vaz, it would be summed up in 3 words.

Make it Happen

It’s his motto and I am converting over to this attitude.

If you like inspirational stories, here is one for you:

One of nine brothers and sisters, he grew up in Brazil the son of a farmer/butcher.  His parents had a 1st grade education, they could not read or write.  He grew up in very humble surroundings.  English is not his native language.  He admits he’s not the smartest person, but what he may lack there, he more than makes up in effort, determination and heart.  He came to the U.S. 11 years ago with a couple grand in his pocket — just enough for him to sign a lease and get started.  When he arrived he had no paying job, no income and no family or friends to welcome him to a strange new country.   Fortunately for him, he did bring his dreams and his determination.

Fast forward to 2007 

I met Carlos at a Texas Multifamily research conference in Nov 2007.  He introduced himself to me as an apartment investor.  At the time I had 2 apartment communities and he had none.   ‘He calls himself a multifamily investor, but doesn’t own any properties?,’ I remember thinking to myself. Everyone starts somewhere and he started with near $0.  Incredibly enough, in 2008, in perhaps one of the worst lending environments ever in the U.S., he closes on 7 apartment communities, for a total of 1200+ units, in the span of 7 months.  His cumulative gain (appraised value less purchase price) on these properties is in the many multi-millions.  No joke.

And this is his first year in the multifamily business.  Wait until you see what 2009 brings.

Make it Happen!

Are you ready to convert?