From Business to Carpenter to Real Estate Investor
Learn From Others and Drop Your Ego to be Successful
Robert Sturrock is an independent business owner with HomeVestors® of America, Inc. in Southeastern Wisconsin, where he buys, rehabs, and sells residential properties. But his professional journey is far from typical.
Life Before HomeVestors
Sturrock graduated from the University of Wisconsin—Stevens Point in 2001 with a degree in Business Administration. Upon graduation, he began his business life in the restaurant industry holding key management positions. However, it didn’t take long before he realized that was not what he wanted to do. So, he decided to get his hands dirty in the building trades.
Sturrock worked for three years in the trades as a carpenter building and remodeling homes, an experience that would prove beneficial down the road; in 2004 he purchased his first rehab and his first rental property.
The HomeVestors Journey Begins
While still working in the trades, Sturrock saw a HomeVestors billboard featuring “UG,” the company “caveman” mascot. He made an inquiry with a local franchisee, and was attracted by the HomeVestors systems, the lead generation program and the support available from the corporate office. In April of 2005, at the age of 28, he bought his HomeVestors franchise along with a partner. That partner, Sturrock recalled, was a gentleman that he used to cut his grass for as a boy. The gentleman admired his work ethic and told him that if he ever went into business to give him a call… so he did… and the new partnership was formed.
As an added benefit, Sturrock met his future wife, Christi, during his initial HomeVestors training. Christi worked as the office manager for another HomeVestors franchisee. Today, she manages all the sales for their company, Riverhouse Investments LLC, in addition to owning her own brokerage.
When Sturrock bought his franchise, HomeVestors had not yet developed their Development Agent (DA) program, but he did have a primary mentor, Ernie Hughes. Hughes went to work for HomeVestors of America in July of 2005, but his relationship with the company and its founder, Ken D’Angelo, goes all the way back to 1973 when they were partners in other real estate ventures. Hughes impressed upon Sturrock to follow the HomeVestors proven systems and WASH-RINSE-REPEAT.
Present Day
In 2010, Sturrock started focusing on building his portfolio with single-family homes. Today, that portfolio includes a duplex and several multifamily properties, with 95% of his portfolio in Milwaukee. In 2016, Sturrock became a DA and today considers his role as a DA the most rewarding part of his business. He supports 32 people in a three-state area and is instrumental in their successes. In 2018, Sturrock bought out his partner of 13 years and is currently focusing on fix-and-flips and buy-and-holds.
Advice from an Expert
Sturrock is a firm believer in the single-family rental business and has sage advice
for investors just getting started.
• Spouses need to support each other and have mutual goals.
• Don’t have an ego.
• Follow the system and learn from others.
• Live below your means so you have more money to invest in real estate.
HomeVestors
What exactly does it mean to be a HomeVestors® business owner? Owning a real estate business is life changing and naturally comes with risks! When you become a HomeVestors business owner, you get immediate access to motivated seller leads, financing resources for qualifying purchases and repairs, one-on-one coaching with your local Development Agent, proprietary software for analyzing properties and deals, and access to a nationwide network of coaches and peers. Your house-buying business is yours and you run it as your own venture with a focus toward your individual business goals.
If you are interested in a franchise, call 866-249-6932, email Sales@homevestorsfranchise.com or visit www.homevestorsfranchise.com. Each franchise office is independently owned and operated.
