Mitch Stephen - My Life & 1,000 Houses: Failing Forward to Financial Freedom

Failing Forward to Financial Freedom

By Mitch Stephen

Smashwords Edition Copyright 2011 by MitchStephen

All rights reserved as permitted under theU.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may bereproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by anymeans, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without theprior permission of the publisher.

Lone Horse PublishingBMI P.O. Box 171174,San Antonio, Texas 78217

210-669-7183

Dedicated to Tommi Stephen

Who has changed more for me than anyone Iknow.

Thank you for letting Me chase my dreams.

Read What Others say aboutMy Life & 1,000 Houses By Mitch Stephen

Mitch Stephen presents something uniqueadecisive strategy that incorporates integrity and compassion into adetermination to succeed.

Here is an insiders look at the highs andlows of becoming one of the most respected real estate investors inTexas. Every investment association should recommend My Life& 1,000 Houses to its Members.

Tom Hennigan, Founder, National Real EstateInvestors Association

Theres no shortage of books on buildingwealth from real estate.

Hundreds of textbook-type offerings presentall the business basics you could ever need, and plenty of how-toadvice to go with them.

This is not that book.

Mitch Stephen delivers a unique andpractical guide to real estate success, one that examines thebigger picture. My Life & 1,000 Houses describes Mitchspersonal journey as a real estate entrepreneur, from his earlystruggles to his phenomenal successsuccess he achieved just onehouse at a time.

More than 1000 houses later, Mitch deliverswhat few real estate books do: the personal insights of anentrepreneur who not only knows what to do but does it. Plus, hegoes beyond the boundaries of business, revealing how hisexperiences affected his personal life.

Youll gain a rare insight into thechallenges, setbacks, triumphs, and unexpected lessons that comefrom one mans venture into the entrepreneurial life. Moreimportantly, youll be inspired.

Eddie Speed, Founder ofNoteSchool and Author of Streetwise SellerFinancing

The San Antonio Real Estate InvestorsAssociation has dedicated its offices in Mitch Stephens name.Although he never served as president, on the board, nor on acommittee, Mitch has made a tremendous difference in the success ofothers by simply showing up and giving freely of his expertise.My Life & 1,000 Houses captures the essence of this mansbusiness acumen and the personal history on which its based. Hisbook is as fascinating as it is entertaining.

It speaks to you on levels far deeper thanthe issues of money, and demonstrates how success is much more thanfinancial wealth.

Well always have a copy of this invaluablebook at The Mitch Stephen Investment Center.

Orlando Rodriguez, President of the SanAntonio Investors Association, San Antonio, TX

If only Mitch had written this book 5 yearsago when I got started in real estate! Ive read about a hundredbooks on real estate and attended dozens of seminars on thesubject. But if I had to pick the one factor that helped Me themost in moving from homelessness to financial freedom, it would bethis book. Mitchs straight-forward, tell-it-how-it-is style blendsthe perfect amount of humor with serious and insightfulcontent.

Eli Call, Financially Independent RealEstate Investor, San Diego, CA

Mitch is a walking encyclopedia ofinformation, and it shows in this long-overdue book. Rarely do youmeet someone like this who has the charisma, smarts, and initiativeto take action in the direction of their passion. After readingthis book, I find it much easier to accept lifes challenges, takeaction, and push forward to success!

Joseph Ponce, Retired Army Officer/RealEstate Investor, Ft. Bragg, NC

Bookstore shelves are packed withpublications claiming to reveal the easy route to wealth. However,few address the struggles encountered and the life lessons learnedduring the pursuit of success.

My Life & 1,000 Houses is that rareoffering. With little more than passionate desire and initiative,Mitch moved from abject poverty to extraordinary riches. He takesyou along on his amazing quest for financial freedom through realestate, without sparing the rich texture of setbacks anddisappointments he experienced along the way. His tale of blood,sweat, tears and laughter is truly inspirational.

Michael Walloch, Co-Founder ofwww.IBuyHouses.com, Dallas, TX

My Life & 1,000 Houses is refreshinglydifferent. I found myself enlightened and entertained at the sametime. This book is a real achievement. Its a keeper!

Bill Bridges Jr., Regional Director, TheRitz-Carlton Club & Residences

When it comes to real estate, Mitch Stephenis the real deal. With single-minded purpose, hard work, and adevotion to his investors, Mitch has succeeded in numerous facetsof real estate. His inspiring book delivers several revelationsabout life in this business. Youll laugh and cry and turn the lastpage with a smile.

Bill Crawford, Author of 18 books including,Stevie Ray Vaughan: Caught in the Cross-fire and All American: TheRise and Fall of Jim Thorpe. Austin, TX

My Life & 1,000 Houses is not anotherget-rich-quick book. Rather, its an inspirational story aboutthinking outside of the box, looking towards the future,establishing the right relationships, standing by your word, andcontinuing to challenge yourself. I saw myself in this book, andcontemplated its content much more than I had expected.

This book is a smooth, gentle read that keepsyou turning page after page. I read it in just two days because Icouldnt put it down.

Tommi L. Leonard, Vice President, StillwaterNational Bank, San Antonio, TX

My Life & 1,000 Houses is a must readfor the serious or aspiring real estate investor. If Jack Canfieldand Mark Victor Hansen of the Chicken Soup for the Soulseries ever decide to offer a book about real estate investment,this is the story they should use. I found myself laughing out loudon an airplane while reading it!

Mike Ochsner, Founder of thewww.IBuyHouses.com Marketing System, Salt Lake City, UT

Ive just finished reading My Life& 1,000 Houses by Mitch Stephen.

What a trip! I laughed, I cried, and I feltlike I had been there myself.

Mitch is a great storyteller. Hisdescriptions of the hard times he encountered and how he gotthrough them were a great education for me. I also reveled in thegood times he experienced. With this book, youre in for a realtreat.

Margaret Childress, Customer SupportAssistant, One Advocate Group, San Antonio, TX

Table of Contents

e

The master in the art of living makeslittle distinction between his work and his play, his labor and hisleisure, his mind and his body, his information and his recreation,his love and his religion. He hardly knows which is which. Hesimply pursues his vision of excellence at whatever he does,leaving others to decide whether he is working or playing. To himhe is always doing both.

James Michener

Introduction

The learning is in the living My nameis Mitchell Stephen. I am honored that you are reading thisintroduction. As you might imagine, I did not invent real estate,nor did I pioneer any of the techniques used to create wealth viareal estate. While I may have a larger understanding of real estatethan the average person, Ive never considered myself to be asophisticated person. I dont consider myself to be a genius oreven above average in the mental department. I am sure that some ofthe movers and shakers out there would assess me as a slow learner,and thats ok. Ill say it first. My story is proof that I have toget hit in the head with a concept before I actually learn it. Idont believe Im that much different from most people in that wedont learn when people tell us things. For us, the learning is inthe living.