Page 9 - Florida Sentinel 6-18-19

Feature
Entrepreneurs Join Forces In Real Estate Arena
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Several years ago, two men entered into the real estate market separately. Earlier this year, the two men, Andy Williams and Antonio Thompson, joined forces and created the business, Andy Buy Houses.
The young men buy dis- tressed properties, repair them, and rent them as af- fordable housing. In some instances, the flip houses as well.
Williams and Thomp- son make their purchases in the Tampa Bay Area as well as Jacksonville, Florida, Memphis Tennessee, and Atlanta, Georgia.
Williams said prior to becoming an entrepreneur, he served 4 years in prison for selling drugs. Once he was released, he obtained employment. He then
Andy Williams and Antonio Thompson joined forces as entrepreneurs in the housing market.
tained his certification as a Medical Assistant.
Thompson said he wanted to meet Kenny Rushing. I decided to at- tend a seminar in Orlando. “I slept outside for 2 days because I had no money for a hotel, just to meet him. He became my mentor and I started out flipping houses.”
Thompson said when he didn’t have a car, he would ride the bus, looking for distressed properties.
Four years ago, the two men met while Williams was selling a property. They began communicating and eventually decided to form their partnership.
The pair plans to offer classes so that they can mentor others in the field in the future.
Williams said they work in certain markets be- cause they can sell quickly in those areas.
learned how to paint cars. He attended school for a year before opening his own shop.
It was during this time that he began paying atten-
tion to the real estate mar- ket.
In 2012, Williams de- cided the time had come for him to venture into the mar- ket.
Thompson said the market lured him as well. He worked in construction. After being homeless for 4 or 5 months, he decided to enroll in school. He ob-
State Rep. Recovers From Illness
The Sentinel has learned that State Rep. Di- anne Hart was hospital- ized recently.
She did not want to make a statement at this time and is resting com- fortably. The Sentinel wishes her a speedy recov- ery.
STATE REP. DIANNE HART
CORRECTION
In an article recently printed in the Sentinel, it was stated that the Middleton Alumni sponsored the re- tirement of Ms. Rosemary Buchanan. The event was sponsored by the Principal, Ms. Tia Brown and the Sunshine Committee coordinated her event.
We apologize for any inconvenience the error may have caused.
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