Elna Brown - Overcoming Adversity to Real Estate Triumph and Financial Independence
Jul 20, 2024
Alimond Studio
Ever wondered how someone can turn the most challenging circumstances into a flourishing career? Join us for an enlightening conversation with Elna Brown, a passionate real estate agent and investor who overcame immense odds to achieve incredible success. From growing up in a poverty-stricken household with 10 siblings in the Philippines to arriving in the United States as an undocumented immigrant, Elna's story is a powerful testament to resilience and determination. Learn how she navigated multiple setbacks, including losing a job at a sleep lab, and leveraged mentorship to break free from poverty and set ambitious financial goals.
The episode delves into the current real estate market's landscape, where high interest rates and low inventory dominate the conversation. Elna shares invaluable strategies for investing wisely in these turbulent times, emphasizing the long-term benefits of property appreciation and the potential for refinancing. We also touch on how the industry has evolved, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, with innovative approaches like virtual open houses and the critical role of social media platforms for educational content and marketing. Elna's insights provide a roadmap for both new and seasoned investors aiming to thrive despite market challenges.
We round off the episode by discussing Elna's pathway to financial freedom through real estate investment, including practical tips on getting started with investment properties and house hacking. By sharing personal stories of sacrifice and perseverance, Elna underscores the importance of self-education and mentorship. Her collaboration with long-term mentor Omni Casey highlights the transformative power of guidance and determination. Whether you're an aspiring real estate investor or looking to gain financial independence, Elna's journey and advice offer a treasure trove of inspiration and actionable insights.
Ever wondered how someone can turn the most challenging circumstances into a flourishing career? Join us for an enlightening conversation with Elna Brown, a passionate real estate agent and investor who overcame immense odds to achieve incredible success. From growing up in a poverty-stricken household with 10 siblings in the Philippines to arriving in the United States as an undocumented immigrant, Elna's story is a powerful testament to resilience and determination. Learn how she navigated multiple setbacks, including losing a job at a sleep lab, and leveraged mentorship to break free from poverty and set ambitious financial goals.
The episode delves into the current real estate market's landscape, where high interest rates and low inventory dominate the conversation. Elna shares invaluable strategies for investing wisely in these turbulent times, emphasizing the long-term benefits of property appreciation and the potential for refinancing. We also touch on how the industry has evolved, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, with innovative approaches like virtual open houses and the critical role of social media platforms for educational content and marketing. Elna's insights provide a roadmap for both new and seasoned investors aiming to thrive despite market challenges.
We round off the episode by discussing Elna's pathway to financial freedom through real estate investment, including practical tips on getting started with investment properties and house hacking. By sharing personal stories of sacrifice and perseverance, Elna underscores the importance of self-education and mentorship. Her collaboration with long-term mentor Omni Casey highlights the transformative power of guidance and determination. Whether you're an aspiring real estate investor or looking to gain financial independence, Elna's journey and advice offer a treasure trove of inspiration and actionable insights.
Speaker 1:
My name is Elna Brown and I started as a real estate agent a residential. I've got licensed since 2016 and four years ago I started investing in real estate. I got mentored by my broker in Weikert, so from then on, I'm still full-time as an agent and at the same time, I'm investing as well and I'm teaching investors in my community.
Speaker 2:
Perfect, I love that. Can you give me a little bit of a background about yourself for our listeners who don't know who you are? Tell us where you grew up. How did you come about to your industry, all that good stuff?
Speaker 1:
Well, I am from Philippines. I grew up, you know, in the Philippines. We're just like 10 siblings and I'm the seventh, and in I was, you know, very, very poor. You know family back then. And then I was able to get here in United States for like probably 25 years ago and I was undocumented. And you know, in the United States for like probably 25 years ago, and I was undocumented, and you know the drill, you know being undocumented, and I was able to, you know, get my license as an agent, you know, almost eight years ago. Congratulations, oh, thank you so much.
Speaker 1:
At the same time, you know, I was, you know I put myself, you know, a goal I wanted to be wealthy, I wanted to be, you know, I don't want to be poor anymore. And from that time on, I really worked so hard and the drawback was just like when I came here United States, I was like, you know, I came here and then undocumented, and then suddenly, you know, I get my paperwork done. And then, from that time, I'm like I wanted to do something with my life and I was staying at home for so long, liliana, and then, at the same time, I got, you know, I finished my nursing, bachelor's of Nursing in the Philippines. However, I never practiced it in the United States because I have to take care of my baby, right, yes. And that time when my baby was just like I don't know if you guys, for those who has kids, you know if you're a stay-at-home mom, and then your kids just like knows how to drive, and they will tell you, like I know what to do, and then suddenly I'm like, no, what should I do with my life? Oh, my goodness gracious. So I was just like trying to go around and find a job. I was unskilled. I never did anything in my life for so long, right, yeah.
Speaker 1:
And and then I did a part time job because I have medical background. That's like a front desk, you know, in a sleep lab. And then one of our clients said that, oh my gosh, elna, you're going to be a good realtor. And I'm like I don't know anything about being, you know, in real estate, right. And then she forced me to just like, get licensed, you're going to be an agent, da, da, da, da. But anyway, I wasn't really thinking about that.
Speaker 1:
And then, um, you know, at some point in the sleep lab, you know our uh, you know manager, just like, you know, uh, changing. And then, at some point, this manager was just like, uh, you know, um, forcing me to do something that I've been doing for a while. I'm like being me as Elna, I was like, can you tell me why you wanted me to change the thing that I've been doing? Give me three things, but if the result is going to be the same, I'm not going to change it. Yes, so that's what I did. And then suddenly you're fired. I'm like, okay, oh my gosh, she fired me.
Speaker 1:
And then, the same day, I finished all my job. And then, when I was trying to go out, you know, uh, you know, it's two of us in the front desk. And then, when I was going out, uh, you know, I wanted to go at the back because there's more people that I can say bye, right, yeah. And then she told me that you have to go in the front, you know door. And I'm like you don't have the right to tell me which door I'm gonna go when I leave this you know place. You can't say bye, seriously, so anyways that time on, I don't you know place.
Speaker 1:
You can't say bye seriously. So, anyways, that time on I don't have, you know, I'm like, let me try being an agent. So that was the start. I get mentored by my you know broker, omni Casey. And being an agent like that, you know I did everything. You know door knocking, writing all the advice of doing open house. I'm almost like 24 seven, even until this time because I write, you know a goal that in five years time I'm going to be a millionaire. I'm going to I don't even know how to, but you know, write it down yeah, manifesting, correct. And then that's the right word. You know you have to manifest what you want to be. So I write down that in five years time I want to own, you know, properties. I'm gonna be a millionaire. But it's been like you know this is my eighth year. I'm not a millionaire yet, but I have properties period.
Speaker 2:
I love that.
Speaker 1:
That's something that's not an easy thing well, it's hard 24, 7.
Speaker 2:
Yeah, I'll tell you that it's paying off. You're putting in the work right, correct? I did it. That is an incredible story. A couple of things I want to say is that it's very inspiring the fact that you come from a family of 10 and you're number seven, my lucky number, so you're my lucky guest today. Yeah, that is beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing that. And, um, that is so inspiring because it just goes to show you had so many hurdles in your journey that like, oh, you finished getting nursing, but you can't because you have a baby you needed to care of. You were undocumented. Just that's already so hard in itself. So I'm so glad you're in today and sharing that story, because I feel like a lot of people need to hear that and feel inspired if they feel down. So, first of all, just thanks for being here today and just sharing that right off the bat, of course, of course, and you know I'm really into, like you know.
Speaker 1:
Also, since I grew up very poor, I wanted to go back to the Philippines. To you know, give back. I wanted, you know, these little girls to, just like you know, go back to I. I mean, I wanted to be a doctor growing up, but uh, you know we don't have money right. So my goal is to go back to the philippines. I just like, start a foundation. To you know, send these little girls to go to school and that's I actually started it. And then, as much as I just wanted to work so hard and I, I've been it and at the same time, I was so blessed that I learned how to invest and at the same time, I'm leading the fastest growing real estate meetup club in the United States. We call it Gas Flow Breakfast Club and I'm their food.
Speaker 2:
They're teaching it Yummy yes.
Speaker 1:
Yum, yes. So I'm so excited and inspired at the same time. It's a hard work, but I'm doing it.
Speaker 2:
And you're doing an amazing job. It sounds like so, thank you. Tell me about how your real estate and then investing educational program comes together and how you're helping people.
Speaker 1:
Right. So here's the thing I don't know if you're. You know, at this point in time, real estate market is so challenging, interest rate so high, there's not a lot of you know, inventory, or meaning there's no houses in the market. So us agents you know, most of the agents actually, like you know, find another job. And me, I said no, I in the in the in the grind and just keep doing it. And, of course, being an agent, you know I'm doing, you know, to list your house, you wanted to buy a house and you know renting and at the same time, you know, since I'm an investor, I'm into the space where of you know, real investors and I guide them how to just like, just like.
Speaker 1:
Right now, people will, you know, set back because its interest rate is so high. That's not the point, because if you invest here's the thing If you, I don't know, you know, in reference to hyperinflationary period, our money in the bank will not going to be, you know, grow, it will deflate because the everything is so expensive, right? So what? I'm trying to let them understand that if you have money in the bank, let's say 100 000, you'd rather invest it in real estate, because real estate, despite the fact that the you know interest rate is like 7.5 and above and something that's fine, because in a few more years, number one, your real estate will appreciate.
Speaker 1:
Number two, the interest rate will go down and then you can refinance it or you can get HELOC. There's an equity in there, but if you leave that money in the bank, there's nothing happening. It's coming down. Yes, real estate is a tangible uh, you know asset. That it's just, it's there, it's yours. That's what I was trying to let them understand, because most people, if you don't understand, it's normal that they're not going to do anything. That's what I'm trying to do my you know with, especially my friends, and then when I speak, you should do this way I love that.
Speaker 2:
No, and I also love that you're. You've gained knowledge and insight and you want to pass that along and help other people too, who may want to dip their feet into investment properties, so that is wonderful. With that being said, how are you marketing this information so people are aware of what you're doing and what type of knowledge you can be giving them? On social media, are you heavy on those youtube videos that are educational? Instagram tell me a little bit about that, correct?
Speaker 1:
since I started, uh, you know, um 2016, 2017 I was with a white girl and mentored by, you know, my broker on my casey. He, you know that time we don't have video, we don't have video, we don't have just like everything. He told me, just like do the video because this is the most important thing that we can do in this business. I'm like no, I'm Filipino, I have accent, I'm not American. And my broker just like sit down there and speak. From that time on, trust me, it was the best thing that ever happened to me, because Instagram, facebook, linkedin and YouTube, I have videos.
Speaker 2:
And you were ahead of the game.
Speaker 1:
Right, I was ahead of the game, at least at that point of time. Then COVID came and then suddenly they said that you have to invite people through video and, aside from that, you can't go in the house, right? So what we did is just like whatchamacallit, I did the first virtual open house. Okay, and I call myself open house queen too, because I did everything. That's what my mentor will tell me. Yes, open house, open house, you know twice a week, for eight times, you know a month, and then you know at some point, it's so, it's so funny because you know when I was at my open house and then you're not allowed to come in and at some point some people will just like there's outside, I'm like you're not allowed, give me your. At some point, some people will just like there's outside, I'm like you're not allowed, give me your cell phone number, let's just video, that's so crazy, I'm telling you that.
Speaker 1:
And then they were outside by the window. I was inside, you know, the house, in the living area. I'm like, can you see I was. You know, can you see the bathroom? This is it. I was looking at them. That's so awkward, a little bit right, really awkward. But at least I was the first. I pioneered, yes, pioneered it. I pioneered the you know, virtual open house.
Speaker 2:
Yeah, no, and it was such a big help. I know it was like taking a step back, like this is so weird because they're right there and I'm used to doing this in person. Is this rude? But like that is the way you had to do it and you had to pivot and grow, because if not, then you either they can't come in, you don't show them, or you just at least do it virtually.
Speaker 1:
So that's great that you were able to pivot. I did that and everything was just like whew. And the funniest thing is I'm so happy the fact that I learned how to do that in the camera. And then you know Weikert is a big company. And then you know Weikart is a big company. You know, if we have the regional meetings from the entire, you know Virginia, jersey, new York. You know our main office we have to, you know, meet in the. You know a meeting and everybody was just like hey.
Speaker 2:
Elna.
Speaker 1:
I'm like, who was that? And then my mentor just like, oh my gosh, kind of I was happy, yeah, that they knew me.
Speaker 2:
And at that point of time I'm like, hmm, it actually helped my business yeah, it's getting your name out there, getting you like some relationship with people that they kind of have a relationship through you from watching all those videos and everything they feel like they know you right that's, that's what I thought, because they everywhere.
Speaker 1:
I'm like I know you, oh hey, I'll know.
Speaker 2:
I'm like who was that? Oh, my videos are like resonating with people and they're seeing it absolutely.
Speaker 1:
I love that and I love what I do right now. I'm telling you I'm crazy about it. I always say that. You know I always. I sleep, I dream, I wake up and just like thinking about real estate and how for me to be a financially free person, meaning that I don't really need to work so hard. My goal, Liliana, is just like I don't want to be an agent in five more years. It's a hard work too, as much as I love doing it, but I have the ability to at least after five years. I don't want to work with you.
Speaker 1:
How crazy I can be.
Speaker 2:
I know right that you can do it. Not a lot of people can do that. So to have that luxury is the dream that you are working for, and it's not just like, oh, she wants it easy. No, because in order to get there you have to work hard. I work so hard.
Speaker 2:
You have to plant those seeds, you have to put in can live that, and it sounds like you were really inspired by your childhood and the way that you grew up and that'll really light a fire up your butt, if you know what I mean to push you to. Yes, go and do that. So you're so inspiring and I resonate with that being like such a hard worker and I know it. Sometimes it can be like, oh my goodness, but you're just like. This is my end goal, this is my dream, this is what I want to accomplish. So I'm so proud of you, like I don't know, you know you like that, but just hearing this right now, I'm proud of you and the listeners listening should be also, because that's not something small.
Speaker 1:
So right amazing, I'm gonna that's why I say that. You know, I'm only four, nine and every time you look great and every time I go in the room I'm like I'm the biggest person in the room.
Speaker 2:
That is good. I need to take advice, exactly. No, I should think that sometimes I'm like, oh, I don't think I'm good enough, or whatever. So I love that you have that like, that strong will, and you're like I'm gonna kill it today, like, look, you came in here today with beautiful nails, the makeup, the lashes girl, when Lori was saying, just like you need to be, you know you're, you're better.
Speaker 1:
And I'm like, oh gosh, I don't even have time to do all this thing, and I'm like I'm running, I'm like what should I do? But at least I did it and I'm like who you?
Speaker 2:
did. And now for people who are inquiring and wanting to learn, where can they find more information on how to book with you to get these classes on investment properties?
Speaker 1:
Yeah, we do this every month and we're all over united states. Oh, and we have arlington, fairfax, woodbridge, loudon, and well, I mean, you know, uh, two months ago, I actually went to pennsylvania to, uh, you know, assist our newly opened gospel breakfast club. Yeah, and I helped them. You know, start kind of a thing and speak there to my. You know, my, my life story, yes, and everybody was like, oh, my gosh, yalla, really kind of like that, that's what I want. It's a powerful story. Yes, and uh, yeah, so this coming july 30th, I believe, we have one in laudan and, uh, you know, the founder is the one that hosting it and I'm, I'm his sidekick all the time. I and I was the one you know getting people to uh register. Yeah, so we're gonna be in um killer williams here in loudon. Okay, that's what we do so.
Speaker 2:
If anybody's hearing, look up online and see where they're at.
Speaker 1:
If you want to join them, yes it's a free event and, uh, we teach people how to start you. You know to invest and everything, and just like, what can you do? You know, especially in this very challenging market and real estate, you can still do it, yeah absolutely.
Speaker 2:
And who are you outside of real estate? What do you like to do? Who are you as a person?
Speaker 1:
Oh my gosh. Here's the thing, though when I started real estate because I set myself to be, you know, in a very short time, to be financially free I acquired my first quadruplex in 2020. Ten months later, I've got my duplex. And, you know, 11 months later, I've got my next investment. It's actually a single home, because I buy and stay in the house. That's why I'm in. You know, I came from Brambleton. I've been moving, okay, and then now I'm in. You know, I'm in Manassas, so I'm ready to get the next investment. You know again why I'm doing that? Because, you know, as a beginner, I don't have a million yet, but I'm going to be a millionaire. I know that Multi, I don't have a million yet, but I'm going to be a millionaire, I know that Multi-millionaire Manifesting manifesting.
Speaker 1:
Yes, in order for you to buy a house with a low down payment, it should be your primary home. So that's what I do I buy and stay in the house so that I don't need to pay like 30% or 25% down payment. I can, if we have, if you understand, if it's A, you can just do 3.5%, 5% down payment. So that's what I do, and I'm renting some of my rooms in my house too. That's the term house hacking. That's why I created my at least my name House Hacking Queen of Northern Virginia. Because people will say that like, like, why would you want these people live in your house, elna? And I'm like hey, this is temporary, this is temporary, do you think? I like it absolutely not. But here's the thing those people that stay in my house are the one paying my mortgage, see, so my mortgage is free.
Speaker 2:
There you go. Yeah, sometimes you got to make those little sacrifices. It's a sacrifice thing because I still I wanted to be in that. Uh, you know, um, so my mortgage is free. There you go. Yeah, sometimes you got to make those little sacrifices, right.
Speaker 1:
It's a sacrifice thing because I still I wanted to be in that, you know. You know in that goal that I wanted to be one day. I don't really want it. I don't really, you know, need to work as much as I enjoy what I'm doing, but I have the option not to let's put it that way you can't do this forever, right?
Speaker 1:
you gotta find no yes, and so that in you know my, you know as much as I wanted to go back to the Philippines and start this you know foundation for the kids. You know, as time goes by, your goal changes, now that I kind of like, oh, I kind of like uh, um, feel like people listen to me, because there's a lot of people that that you know reach out to me, just like elna. How you do that, how you, you know, do that from entire. You know my friends from chicago, even in the philippines, and I'm like it's a hard work, it's a 24 7 to me and now I kind of like, uh, like, uh, you know, I couldn't even believe that I did it, liliana, to acquire those properties. I can't believe it for a very short time.
Speaker 1:
So what I'm trying to say is, like you know people, I wanted to be a uh, you know, an influencer, at least at this point of time in my life. I wanted to speak all over the world, especially women that you don't really need to. You know, wait for someone else to help you out. You can do it. Yeah, it's a hard work, though it's just like a thing where, you know, at some point, when I live in winchester from brambleton. Everybody's looking me up and down. Like you, live in winchester, oh my goodness like yes yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1:
And then you know, it was just like every time my daughters will visit me. Mom, you're living in a ghetto. I'm like you stop it. This is like temporary. Oh yeah, I did it every crazy thing as much as I can, you know, so that I can move up the next to the next honestly, all this hard work and these sacrifices that you're doing, it's going to come back.
Speaker 2:
It's going to pay off. It will. And like, look how far you've come from that just from not giving up. Imagine if you just gave up. Or if you just I'll just do up to here. I'll just like, if you want something bad, you're going to get it. So I'm rooting for you and I know that you're going to become the millionaire that you want to be and I just know that you're somebody who is going to also help the community and help other people. I can sense that type of person.
Speaker 1:
Because they say that you know as much as I'm, working so hard and acquire all this thing. I have to return it back to the community, because you're not going to be happier if it's all about you. It's more a joy in your heart if you're giving back.
Speaker 2:
Yes, that's what I learned, so that's what I'm going to do Absolutely and you're already doing it too with spreading knowledge and helping people also be able to achieve this. Yeah, absolutely. That's amazing. Oh man, I could talk to you forever.
Speaker 1:
This is just like so good. I was telling Laura I'm like about my life.
Speaker 2:
I can talk to you 24 hours. Yeah, all right. So I'm going to ask you just a couple more questions here. If you could give our listeners any advice on investment properties, just little small ones, tidbits that maybe they didn't know before, that you could share.
Speaker 1:
So, first and foremost, the one that I'm saying being a house hacking queen I said that if you don't have a lot of money to do the down payment, you know, buy a primary home and rent some of you know the part of the house you know you have just like an extra. You know basement, yeah, you know if. If you're, you know, but it's harder though if you have family. But that's why I advised my uh, you know my investors if you want, you know, if you start investing and house hack, yes, buy a house or a townhouse that there's a separate entrance in the in, in the bottom or in the basement, so it's a separate entity of your house and they don't need to go in inside your house going to. You know the bottom. So that's one thing.
Speaker 1:
And number two, you know they, they don't need to be afraid to invest right now, even though the interest rate is 7.5% or whatever. Because if you have the money that's what I'm saying If you have the means to start now, start it even though it's 7.5%, because you know when you put that money in real estate, as I said earlier, number one, the property is appreciating. Number two, you have tax benefits. And number three. If you're gonna, you know, refinance it like in few more years, interest rate will go down. Yes, perfect. So that's what I can tell them all the time.
Speaker 2:
Yeah, hopefully they will resonate with that and do something with this knowledge right okay, and um, is there anything else that maybe you would like to share, now that you have this platform here right now, that maybe I did not ask you anything?
Speaker 1:
so what?
Speaker 2:
else it can be in regards to your business, maybe something that you're planning to expand, anything?
Speaker 1:
like that. Oh yeah, definitely. I'm actually like, as my, uh, you know, I I'd rather be an investor versus, you know, an agent, agent. But the first thing for me to do in order for me to get to the next level, I have to work hard. I have to, you know, be an agent and make money out of that and then, from that, then, you know, I have to. You know, um, that's what I'm paying for my investment properties, so I believe that's what I can share to them and if they have questions and if they wanted to learn about real estate investing, definitely we have this cash flow breakfast club that we're sharing it to everybody for free. Perfect, yeah, thank you.
Speaker 2:
Okay, this is my real last final question, if you could leave our this Castro Breakfast Club that we're sharing it to everybody for free. Perfect, yeah, thank you. Okay, this is my real last, final question. If you could leave our listeners with any like a message, a meaningful message. It can be in regards to life, like anything that has happened to you or in business that you want to leave to them as motivation okay, a lot, a lot of things, but this is the most important thing to me.
Speaker 1:
It's just like, because here in america we're giving, we're giving everything right. If a little challenge is like you know a little thing, that it's harder, they're just like, oh my gosh, every time I heard that, stop that, keep doing whatever you said. You know your life into and most and and the most important thing is, if you have a goal to be a better person, you know you have to uh, you know, invest up first, because the thing is I'm not, um, you know, a good reader person when I was, you know, in college, but at this point of time, when I, you know, started to, you know, grow in this, you know, space, I have to force myself to read Meaning. I'm helping myself to understand about real estate. I'm, you know, I'm helping myself how to be an investor and I'm helping myself how to be an entrepreneur.
Speaker 1:
And the most important thing, they have to really learn. You don't need to go to school. Books is the best thing for you to grow up At least that's my experience and find a mentor. Whatever you want to do, just like. Whatever you like doing, you should find a person that like doing the things that you want it to be, and you know learn from them him yeah just like what I did with my mentor, omni casey.
Speaker 1:
I'm so proud of myself because I was with him for the very long time, until this time, yes, and every time I have question omni perfect, no, and there's nothing wrong with that.
Speaker 2:
Like people and I'm sure people now can use you as a mentor too, with your knowledge and everything I never ever give up?
Speaker 1:
oh, my gosh, a little I don't. I kept insisting. As long as you know, this is what I want to do. No one can stop me.
Speaker 2:
I love that. That's a great mentality. Yeah, thank you so much for being on the podcast. Thank you for sharing your inspirational story and just for being here.
