Creating Opportunities. Building Relationships. Leaving a Legacy. My journey into real estate investing began in 2008 after a corporate layoff forced me to explore a new path. After reading Rich Dad Poor Dad, I became fascinated by real estate investing and committed to learning the business. What started as a challenge quickly became a passion. Over those 18+ years, we utilized multiple investment strategies, including residential rentals, owner financing, lease options, wholesale transactions, commercial real estate, fix-and-flip projects, and note investing. Within just a few years of getting started, we built and self-managed a portfolio of 30 rental units. Before real estate, I spent 36 years in consumer finance helping individuals meet their financial needs. That experience taught me the value of relationships, trust, and creating solutions that benefit everyone involved. That philosophy continues to guide me today. I believe that if only one party wins in a transaction, it wasn't structured correctly. The best opportunities create value for everyone involved. There is plenty of opportunity available for those willing to learn, work hard, and help others succeed along the way. Today, Backstop Investments is expanding its focus into private lending and real estate finance. The new division is called Backstop Capital. While we continue to enjoy owning and operating investment properties, I have discovered that I enjoy the lending side of the business even more. Through our partnership with a private investment fund and institutional lending relationships, we help investors identify financing solutions that support a variety of real estate investment strategies. This chapter is especially meaningful because it is becoming a family business. My son Briggs and I are working together to grow this part of the operation, combining decades of investing and business experience with a new generation's technology skills and fresh perspective. We enjoy working with investors at all stages of their journey, especially those who are just getting started. Helping people learn, grow, and build confidence through real estate investing is one of the most rewarding parts of the business. Whether you're an active investor, a referral partner, or someone exploring your next real estate opportunity, we welcome the chance to connect. If your real estate needs include: fix & flip, bridge financing, long-term rentals (DSCR), ground-up construction commercial real estate, or exploring turnkey modular solutions We should talk.