Anne Kearns

Real estate has always been a mark of independence and freedom in this country. Owning property is very important, and for most people, it's the biggest financial investment of their lives. Having your own home or investment property provides a sense of pride, and can be an important step towards financial independence. Real estate became an accidental passion for me when I purchased my first apartment building. I realized that a job alone was not enough for retirement and I needed a plan. Raised on a Minnesota farm, I've always been a do-it-yourselfer, so an active investment like real estate seemed a good fit. In 2002, I purchased a 4-unit apartment building in my neighborhood and spent the next 5 years scrubbing, painting, and remodeling the apartments. This is not everyone's idea of a good time, but for me it became a full time obsession. In 2004, I left corporate marketing ...