This story reminds me of myself a bit, it was June 1997, & I had just turned 19 earlier that year. I had just bought my first house! Years earlier I had been working hard, I was 14 when I got my first PT job, at 15 I was picking up as many hours as I could get. Riding the UTA bus after school every day… By 16 I was at it Full Time, I bought a car, kept working, kept going to school, at 17 I was headded out on my own, soon in an apartment and trying to push through with a FT graveyard job, school in the morning with work release for a part time job in graphic design in the afternoon. (Really I was just a grunt in a screen printing shop.) Sleep was something I got a couple hours at a time. I figured out pretty quick the schedules & getting credits for HS graduation were just making it harder so I talked to the Guidance Counselor about graduating early & she said with the work release periods I would actually need to take some home courses just to make it in time with my class (June ’95), I had to work, so I went to Salt Lake Community College and aced the GED exams then left HS the second month of my senior year.  In a more perfect world, leaving HS early for a 4 year college would have been ideal but that was not the path laid out for me. Luckily I met a great girl early on who has been there with me the entire time, she possesses the same work ethic & had the same challenging childhood as I had. She and I came together to beat the odds and have created a very happy life for ourselves.

Probably the most significant factor was getting that house. The empowerment & feeling of accomplishment, at 18 & 19 years old set us on a path for great success. I worked hard to make that house the nicest home on the street, countless hours & hours on projects & improvements. My wife put in her hours too, while also working & going to college.  I was progressing very well in my employment as well reaching higher management in a grocery/retail setting, then a change to commissioned positions & ultimately self employment.  Owning that first home was our rock, it kept us focused and safe and made those opportunities possible.

Of course, if knowing then what I know now I would change a few things, small things but again that first step is what has brought us to the heights we have reached today.   

In the past twelve years I have purchased three homes of my own, sold that first one, have retained the second in Las Vegas as a rental property  & live in the  third but I have helped hundreds of home buyers & sellers with their purchases, sales, & mortgage needs over the years. If you know me or have ever met me then you would know I am a dedicated friend & trusted advisor, if you haven’t & would ever like to talk to my friends, colleagues, or past clients just let me know & I will get you in touch.

Watch this great video and let me know if you know any young people who are ready for this kind of success.

Thank you!

Kristopher Furrow Realtor^®- Associate Broker

Underage Homeowner

Before she was old enough to legally drink alcohol, Denise Tejada bought a house in the San Francisco Bay Area, one of the most expensive real estate markets in the country. Her brother Wilmer bought his first house when he was 21 and now he’s planning to invest in a second property soon.

Watch the video to find out how they did it.

Posted by Brett on October 8, 2009 at 04:30pm Source YouthRadio.org