Q: I’m trying to reestablish my life. I was a victim of mental abuse, and finally filed for divorce after 20 years of marriage. I’ve lost my home to a sheriff’s sale. I’m working but I am unfulfilled. I feel that I have a purpose in life. I’ve thought about starting a business in purchasing real estate, however, I have no direction or clue. I’m looking for mentors, business ideas, and anything to help me get started.
-Via the Internet
A: First, I’d like to congratulate you on freeing yourself from an abusive relationship. Before you can go out and start life anew, the first thing you may want to do is seek help from a psychologist, psychiatrist, or life coach. Some seek the assistance of a therapist on topics ranging from abuse to overeating. It’s always best to get a referral from family or friends or you can call your insurance carrier’s help line for assistance. Also try the American Psychiatric Association at http://healthyminds.org or 888-357-7924, which has an answer center to put you in touch with a local physician.
If purchasing real estate is your passion, you want to make sure your financial picture is sound. In order to do this, read The Beginner’s Guide to Investing in Real Estate by Gary W. Eldred (John Wiley & Sons Inc.; $14.95), where you’ll learn how to use real estate to create multiple streams of income. Also, read our series on home buying in the March 2006 to July 2006 issues to find out exactly what you need to do to buy a home, from putting together the right team to selecting the best mortgage.