Today we’d like to introduce you to Cody Calhoun.
Hi Cody, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
While attending Mizzou’s Trulaske College of Business, my roommate introduced me to the Bigger Pockets Podcast. This is where I first learned about House Hacking, and my big dream of being an MLB player turned into my big dream of becoming a real estate investor. After graduating in 2018, I began searching for jobs where I could learn the ropes of real estate investing. I started my career working for local real estate investors as an acquisition agent, project manager for rehabs, and property manager for rental properties. This was going great, and then, about 2.5 years into investing my time in learning the trades, COVID hit, and many projects came to a halt. I then decided to go full-time as a residential Realtor in April 2020. Once September hit, I sold my first house, and by the end of the year, I was up to eight. One was buying a duplex (2-family home) for myself. The following year, I spent my days helping my clients buy/sell homes and nights rehabbing my new home. After 7 months, I got my first tenant and achieved my dream of becoming a real estate investor by house hacking (living in 1 unit and renting out the other). The experience of rehabbing and owning a rental property has proven to make me more effective at helping my clients. Since then, I moved from being on a team to being a solo agent at Coldwell Banker Gundaker, St. Louis’s #1 brokerage for nearly 20 years.
Please talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back, has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I love so much about my career, but it has not been a smooth road. I have made some tough business decisions, such as leaving brokerages with people I love in pursuit of finding the right brokerage to call home. Starting out working with investors was an incredible learning experience, but COVID hit and made me realize I needed a change. Switching from investing to sales in April 2020 was scary and exciting. 2020 was a year of uncertainty around the world. The real estate market was as competitive as it has ever been. The first thing they tell you when starting as a full-time Realtor is you won’t get paid for 3-6 months (it took me 5 months), all while working 60-80 hours a week. However, I quickly realized how rewarding it is to help people during a major life change. Going through the process of buying/selling a home is a very emotional and exciting time. I get to help coach people through the difficulties and celebrate with them at the closing table!
I appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I got my real estate license in 2018 when I was 22. Over the last few years, I have worked with people relocating, downsizing, and upsizing, but I found my niche with first-time home buyers and investors. I have been blessed with the opportunity to help many first-time home buyers and investors. I was just in both of their shoes in 2020 and can relate to the ups and downs of the process. My years of working with investors and doing a large rehab project on my own home have helped me give them a unique perspective on the home-buying process. I do not just want to sell a house and collect a paycheck; I want to learn and prioritize my client’s goals and dreams. I want my clients to make a good investment that will grow in value and help them in their future. Buying a home is a huge investment, and the costs can add up quickly. When we look at a home, we identify any major short-term costs along with the highest return on investment projects that can be done to a home so they can make the right decision for their future.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
You won’t find me partying at the bars in Soulard or BPV on the weekends. Spending time with my close friends and family is a good time. My mom and I have been doing house projects since childhood. A week rarely goes by without talks of our next project for one of our houses. We are still at the HGTV level but enjoy our time together. My dad owns a DJ business, and I occasionally help fill in as a part-time DJ. Seeing him run his business my entire life was a major inspiration for me to take my own path. My girlfriend and I also take dance lessons from him a few times a month. We like to go to church with her family on Sundays and stop by the winery for lunch on our way home. Like many former athletes in their 20s, I picked up golf this year, and there is nothing better than going out with friends on a sunny afternoon (even if I shoot 107). A bonfire on a fall night, rooting on my fantasy football team on Sunday, going on a walk with our dog, staying in on a Saturday to watch a new stand-up special on Netflix that’s my kind of party.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://codythehouseguy.sites.cbmoxi.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/codythehouseguy/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/codythehouseguy
