Commercial Property Advisors

Commercial Real Estate Coaching and Mentoring

  • Home
  • Free Book
  • Free Video Course
  • Protege Program
  • Real Deals
  • Blog
  • About
  • Peter Harris
  • Contact

How Chris Became A Millionaire in One Year

millionaire in one yearCan you become a millionaire with just one commercial real estate deal? YES! Can you do it without years of previous experience? Of course you can! Can it be done in today’s real estate market? Absolutely! In fact, you’re about to discover the incredible true story of how an airline pilot from Houston Texas recently accomplished this feat. Plus, you’ll learn exactly how he did it so you can do the same.

Meet Chris

Chris started flying with the Navy in 1977. He eventually began flying for airlines and is currently still employed by a major airline. Chris has a rather large family; seven children and many grandchildren. His entire life consists of family, flying, and now, managing the managers of his 90 unit multi family commercial property.

Overcoming a Slow Market

Many people say there aren’t any good deals left in Texas or in any other major city. But while Chris did experience challenges with finding good deals in his market, he was able to find people motivated to sell that were off market. Chris testifies, that even if you think the economics look down on the outside, that there are still a lot of motivated sellers out there, that just need to be found.

The Million Dollar Deal

In March of 2016 Chris began researching commercial real estate on the internet and found Commercial Property Advisors on Youtube. He was then interviewed and accepted into our mentorship program.

When his big deal that made him a millionaire came into the picture, Chris had already found three properties that our team was helping him write contracts for. One was a four-plex, one was a 16 unit, and one was a 26 unit. With the owners so close to signing, our advisors recommended Chris begin interviewing the best lenders.

Chris began scouring Houston for lenders, brokers, bankers, and mortgage companies. He touched base with many brokers, lenders, and mortgage companies, making connections and resources. I gave him the information for a mortgage company I knew in the area, and Chris asked them to send him any properties they heard about. Two weeks later, they called and told him they had found a property.

 The Property

It was a 90 unit property in Downtown Houston. The broker who sent Chris the apartment had financed the property for years, so he felt motivated to help the seller before he went bankrupt or was forced to foreclose.

The Challenges

While doing his due diligence on the property, Chris discovered that sections of the building smelled like sewage and there was a severe roof leak.  There were also some under-management issues that would need to be handled. He quickly began rehabbing.

The Opportunities

Once Chris and I got together and put together our EPartner Pro Forma together we discovered that the average market rents in the neighborhood were $200 higher than what the apartment was currently charging. Once you factor that into the pro forma we found that we could afford a $600,000 rehab, and still have this considered a very good deal.

Financing the Property

The property was selling for 3.1 million dollars. The owner was highly motivated and agreed to take interest only for a year on a million dollars. Chris tried to take the deal to the same mortgage broker that had brought him the property, but they would not finance him because he did not meet their loan criteria. We had anticipated this because the rehab needed was so great and approximately 1/3 of the 90 units were empty.

Chris then began spending eight hours a day for three or four days looking up hard money lenders until he finally found one willing to lend him the rest of the money (2.1 million for the property and 600,000 for renovations) at 13% interest.

Just to clarify, the purchase price was 3.1 million, the seller carried back a mortgage in the amount of 1 million and then you Chris found a hard money lender who paid the rest of the amount PLUS the rehab costs at 13 % interest.

Refinancing

After a year, the property was stable enough to get refinanced by a Fannie Mae lender out of California. It was a 30 year amortization loan with a 4.1 interest rate.  The loan did not require any down payment money besides holding costs.

New Appraisal

At the time of the loan the property appraised at 3.8 millions dollars, but after a few months of full stabilization, it is currently appraised at 6.3 million dollars. This means that after closing costs and commissions, Chris could sell the property today and profit 2 million dollars.

Chris’s Next Step:

By April 2019 Chris wants to borrow against the property in order to purchase a new property. He is currently looking for properties off market in the local area.

Encouraging Words From Chris

“First you have to decide whether or not you have the knowledge and experience to get involved with one of the most difficult businesses out there that you would be owning and operating. I would encourage you to look for the very best mentor who will not only give you the information, but train you and stay with you very step if the way.I looked at nine or ten mentors and Peter Harris and his background, resume, and books, all spoke volumes to me. If you want to do this and you want the knowledge and you want to get the experience with someone at your side, go with Peter Harris. ”

Summary

Chris found a property through a mortgage broker that had huge potential if he was able to purchase it. He did not qualify for conventional financing so he went to a hard money lender who gave Chris money to acquire the property and conduct the rehab. Over the next 12 months Chris was able to finish up the rehab, stabilize the property, and refinance the property with a Fannie Mae Loan.

Once the property was completely stabilized it was worth 6.3 million dollars.  So Chris bought it for 3.1 and now it’s worth 6.3 in little more than a year plus hard work If Chris were to sell today after paying the commissions and closing costs he would pocket over two million dollars in profits.

Share this with your Social Network!

  • Facebook
  • X
  • LinkedIn

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Peter Harris

Peter Harris is recognized as the leading commercial real estate investing mentor. Starting out professionally as an introverted engineer, he purchased his first apartment building in 2001 with help from mentorship allowing him to quit his job. Others took notice of his lifestyle change, began asking Peter for investing guidance and thus began a life long passion for teaching how to invest in commercial real estate. Peter went on to become a best selling author, establish the most popular commercial real estate YouTube channel and mentor people from all walks of life on commercial real estate and multi family apartment investing. When not building up his own portfolio and helping others become financially free, Peter enjoys spending time with his family and serving his church.

Comments

  1. Ilori Shogbanmu says

    January 2, 2024 at 4:12 am

    Good job Chris! You beginning is inspiring.

    Reply
    • Hyacinth Ukwuagi says

      May 1, 2024 at 10:50 pm

      Fantastic for Chris. He has good Credit. He has the knowledge from accredited mentor – Peter Harris.

      Reply
  2. Joseph W. Perkins says

    November 26, 2023 at 10:44 pm

    Chris: Great job. Your story made me wonder whether I could participate in the commercial R/E market. Your explanations were clear and thorough. Thank you for sharing your experience.

    Reply
  3. Gregory ED Lazzaro says

    May 12, 2023 at 5:43 pm

    Chris, what a gratye job you did, But I do beleive THAT IF YOUR DREAM IS BIG ENOUGH THEN THE FACTS DONT COUNT.

    Reply
    • Raymond Patterson says

      July 24, 2023 at 4:28 pm

      Good job Chris

      Reply
  4. Ogeikpe Nwogu says

    March 31, 2023 at 10:51 pm

    Chris,
    Congratulations for the awesome work and sweat you put in on this project .
    Honestly it paid off and I would like to be like you when I grow up the grace of GOD.

    Reply
  5. wayne hiller says

    March 3, 2023 at 4:17 pm

    Great ‘Stick ot it’ fortitude Chris

    Reply
  6. Anthony Adams says

    August 10, 2022 at 4:17 pm

    This is a great example of how a property with problems offers opportunity. It would be scary doing this with the smelly sewers and patchy roofs. Congratulations for working through the problems for the win!

    This is a great video! Highly encouraging!

    Reply
  7. Jean claude Ashimwe says

    December 20, 2021 at 2:49 pm

    This is very interesting, thanks for the advice and for the courage to start RE managment.

    Reply
  8. harbax says

    July 11, 2021 at 9:23 pm

    Wow!!! It was a great inspirational video for me to get out of 9 to 5 job.

    Reply
  9. James Wheeling says

    April 28, 2021 at 3:17 pm

    Great going Chris, definitely sounds like a complicated process. Your steady hand and trust in Peter won the deal, with more to come. Awesome!

    Reply
  10. John Pélé Charité says

    March 31, 2021 at 4:02 pm

    Thank you for sharing your experience with us Chris.
    The first deal, one deal, and a new millionaire. The best is yet to come.

    Reply
  11. Fathey Abdullah says

    March 27, 2021 at 2:19 pm

    Well done, Chris, Peter is a wonderful mentor. I’m glad you took his course and now you can enjoy the benefits and produce even greater results. I’m sure this well help all your children and grandchildren immensely!

    Reply
  12. Joseph Layne says

    February 16, 2021 at 1:10 am

    Great job Chris! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  13. Daro Fair says

    August 25, 2020 at 3:44 pm

    Great job Chris. that was very inspirational ! Hope to do the same or similar some day soon. Not in the program yet.

    Reply
  14. Uddoh says

    July 11, 2020 at 8:50 pm

    Quite impressive!

    Reply
  15. Keir Moorman says

    July 2, 2020 at 1:34 am

    Great video, Peter. Congratulations, Chris, on your deal. I hope your next deal is just as rewarding as the first.

    Reply
  16. Phyllis Davis says

    June 10, 2020 at 5:24 pm

    Excellent job Chris. Real cool.

    Reply
  17. Francis Kin says

    June 2, 2020 at 6:10 pm

    Great Job Chris !

    Reply
  18. Coleman says

    May 18, 2020 at 1:55 pm

    This is so awesome. Congratulations Chris! Your testimonial is very motivating. It re-ignites the fire in me to began in real estate.

    Reply
  19. Paul Smith says

    May 17, 2020 at 8:27 pm

    Congrats

    Reply
  20. Alfredo Ramos says

    May 5, 2020 at 12:32 am

    That was awesome, congrats Chris and thank you Mr. Harris you have given me alot to reconsider.

    Reply
  21. christopher says

    April 27, 2020 at 2:35 am

    outstanding review. most of all that was very truthful. that fired me up.

    thank you Chris…

    Reply
  22. George says

    April 9, 2020 at 6:54 pm

    Awesome Chris!

    Reply
  23. Ron says

    March 16, 2020 at 1:56 am

    Good job, Chris! Here’s to a great future!

    Reply
  24. Austin says

    February 23, 2020 at 5:10 pm

    Peter,

    Great article. I come from a similar background as Chris and have been looking into your program, so I really enjoyed this one, Peter. Thank you

    Reply
  25. Clinton Sawyer says

    February 21, 2020 at 2:16 am

    High 5 to ya Chris! Also congratulations to Peter…good system sir.

    Reply
  26. Cleve Clarke says

    February 6, 2020 at 8:26 pm

    Congratulations Chris and Peter!!

    Reply
  27. Ansou says

    January 1, 2020 at 9:00 pm

    This is a very interesting story. Thanks for sharing the information!

    Reply
  28. Jetta Baptiste says

    December 22, 2019 at 4:56 pm

    Thanks for sharing this wonderful story. Great job Chris and thanks a million Peter for your giving heart. I have learned a lot so far from your free book and video courses so far. I’m looking for my first deal right now. I’m really motivated and inspired. Keep up the great job.

    Reply
  29. Lamar Brown says

    December 17, 2019 at 2:15 am

    Great, thank you for your story.

    Reply
  30. Gregg McCaw says

    December 12, 2019 at 2:22 am

    That was a good one , and would want to be doing likewise in the near future , Thanks !

    Reply
  31. James G says

    December 7, 2019 at 8:31 pm

    Chris Congrats !!

    Reply
  32. Thomas Mayhew says

    November 24, 2019 at 9:00 pm

    Great job Chris and thank you for sharing your story!

    Reply
  33. Roland says

    November 21, 2019 at 3:08 pm

    Great job Chris and Peter. It shows us knowledge and hard work pays off. One day my story will be posted too. Until next time Peter.

    Reply
  34. LYNN E. MICKENS says

    October 27, 2019 at 7:21 pm

    I’m Always Encouraged. Be Blessed Peter & all Proteges’

    Reply
  35. Vance Thompson says

    October 7, 2019 at 11:22 pm

    Outstanding job Chris! You have proved what dedication and hard work can accomplish!

    Reply
  36. Jeff says

    September 25, 2019 at 9:50 pm

    Great Job Chris

    Reply
  37. robert tucker says

    September 24, 2019 at 12:16 am

    I enjoyed all I heard and it felt good just hearing the winner. with a desire.

    Reply
    • Robert Tucker says

      May 8, 2023 at 10:27 pm

      I saw it a second time it was a wonderful story, thanks Chris, and much success on your next “BIG” Deal with Peter’s Real Estate Opportunity Program.

      Reply
  38. Carol Powell Fryar says

    September 21, 2019 at 3:21 am

    Awesome job Chris. I’m trying to buy my first property as well.

    Reply
  39. Melvin Burrell says

    September 19, 2019 at 4:54 am

    Great job

    Reply
  40. Sourav Bansal says

    September 18, 2019 at 4:42 am

    Great Job Chris, your story is very motivational! We all know Peter is the best mentor.

    Reply
  41. Lerome Williams says

    September 17, 2019 at 9:56 pm

    Wow Chris great job !!! Congratulations Thanks for the encouragement i hope to do likewise in the bear future. Good wishes on the rest of deals

    Reply
  42. Amos Owuor says

    September 17, 2019 at 9:04 pm

    Great job. Congrats Chris and kudos to Peter for great mentoring. I’d like to work with you Peter. I’ve always considered commercial real estate investment, having been a mortgage broker and a realtor before and I have a few properties. This video just rekindled my interest.

    Reply
    • Peter Harris says

      October 3, 2019 at 7:59 pm

      Your next step is to apply for my Protege Program

      Reply
  43. Philip seymore says

    September 17, 2019 at 7:31 pm

    Hi five Chris!
    I want to be like you

    Reply
  44. Carlos Surpris says

    September 17, 2019 at 5:35 pm

    Big shout out to Chris, he’s actually where I’m craving to be for the longest. That’s personally encouraging news to me that there’s a way and Peter will be there to walked me through.

    Reply
  45. Rosa Otero says

    September 17, 2019 at 4:18 pm

    Great Job Chris !

    Reply
  46. David Shives says

    September 17, 2019 at 3:28 pm

    HI Fives Chris I want to do a deal soon

    Reply
  47. Oliver Moseley says

    September 17, 2019 at 1:50 pm

    Super transaction Cris and, apparently, great mentoring from Peter! We are interested in Peter’s system. Oliver

    Reply
  48. Neff Rivera says

    September 17, 2019 at 1:46 pm

    Awesome, what are requirements to starting in real estate?

    Reply
    • Peter Harris says

      September 17, 2019 at 2:11 pm

      Get educated. Review all the posts on this blog

      Reply
  49. Angelia says

    September 17, 2019 at 1:38 pm

    Great Job!! Chris

    Reply
  50. Grey Lee says

    September 17, 2019 at 3:19 am

    Congrats Chris, and Peter. Great to hear the “war stories” of what was screwy about the property. Inspirational story.

    Reply
  51. john riehl says

    September 17, 2019 at 12:53 am

    Chris an Peter great job, thanks for sharing with us. It is very inspiring!!

    Reply
  52. Albert says

    September 16, 2019 at 3:23 am

    I love it,learning open nothing but solutions

    Reply
  53. Mikal Abdullah says

    September 16, 2019 at 1:14 am

    Awesome story! I learned so much. Thank you for posting it.

    Reply
  54. Neelofer says

    September 16, 2019 at 12:22 am

    Hi Chris, Peter and Team,
    Great story, exceptional achievement and fantastic approach!
    Bigger deal, greater risk and what a perfect start!
    Neelofer

    Reply
  55. TIm says

    September 15, 2019 at 11:26 pm

    Hello, Chris, good inspiring and encouragement words on the Apartment deal that you have done.

    Reply
  56. Gary L. Hammond says

    September 15, 2019 at 10:47 pm

    Well done Chris.

    Reply
  57. MANIJ PATEL says

    September 15, 2019 at 9:58 pm

    Fantastic job Chris. Well done!

    Reply
  58. Annette Adamson says

    September 15, 2019 at 9:25 pm

    Great job Chris.
    You encouraged me to let me know I can surely do the same. Real Estate has been a goal of mine for many years. Mabe i was held off until such a time as this when I could have someone like Mr. Harris to be my one on one mentor so I wouldnt get ripped off by imitators or people with less experience. Great job Cris! Continue on and keep up the good work!

    Reply
  59. First Sergeant (Dr. ) Candi O. Belle PhD USA says

    September 15, 2019 at 8:14 pm

    Very interested Peter. I’d like ti talk with you about mentoring me and buying commercial property.

    Reply
    • Peter Harris says

      September 16, 2019 at 11:01 am

      Apply to my Protege Program

      Reply
  60. Mark thomas says

    September 15, 2019 at 7:54 pm

    Well done.

    Reply
  61. Thomas Rodgers says

    September 15, 2019 at 7:06 pm

    I’m interested to know how much it would cost me to have you Peter Harris as a mentor? I have always wanted to get into commercial real estate. However, I am starting late in life. I am 76 years old, but I have been a real estate broker for 36 of those years selling commercial and residential properties. However, I am a believer that you can accomplish anything you want to and it does not matter what your age. I am enthusiastic and a very hard worker. It is very difficult to get me to change directions when I have my mind set to move forward.

    Reply
  62. Mr. Kazi says

    September 15, 2019 at 7:03 pm

    Good job, Chris!

    Reply
  63. Charles Clerkley says

    September 15, 2019 at 4:42 pm

    Awesome job Chris. Kudos to super mentor, Peter.

    Reply
  64. chuck hall says

    September 15, 2019 at 4:34 pm

    thanks for the encouraging article

    Reply
  65. Richard says

    September 15, 2019 at 3:56 pm

    GOOD JOB CHRIS!

    Reply
  66. Ron Taylor says

    September 15, 2019 at 3:23 pm

    I wish to purchase and rehab Commercial and Residential Property.

    Reply
  67. Marvin Hall Jr says

    July 23, 2019 at 9:16 am

    Please send info on how to get started

    Thanks

    Reply
    • Peter Harris says

      July 24, 2019 at 11:39 pm

      The best place to get started is to complete this free video course: Commercial Real Estate Investing for Beginners

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors

Real Deal Case Studies

real deals

Get Your Free Copy of our Best Selling Book

Commercial_Real_Estate_for_Beginners

#1 Commercial Real Estate YouTube Channel

commercial_property_advisors_youtube_channel

Listen to our Podcast

Commercial_Property_Advisors_Podcast

Recent Blog Posts

Why Raising Money is Easy When the Deal is Right

Stock Market Uncertainty: Why Choose Commercial Real Estate?

How to Quit Your 9 to 5 for Multifamily Investing

Multifamily Goldmine in 2025

Self Storage Millionaires Part 2: Escaping the Corporate Rat Race

Every Successful Commercial Real Estate Investor has a Mentor.

Get Your Mentor Here

Podium

Terms of Use · Privacy Policy · Earnings Disclosure · Contact

    DISCLAIMER! We do not provide legal or tax advice. This website is for informational purposes. Seek licensed, competent advisors for all legal and tax matters. This site is not part of the YouTube, Google or Facebook website; Google Inc or Facebook Inc. Additionally, this site is NOT endorsed by YouTube, Google or Facebook in any way. Facebook is a trademark of Facebook, Inc. Youtube is a trademark of Google LLC. Commercial Property Advisors® is a Federally Registered Trademark. Copyright © 2025 Commercial Property Advisors, LLC. All Rights Reserved