HUMANITARIAN OF THE YEAR: This award recognizes an individual active in the real estate community improving the community or benefitting another community by way of real estate investing. Damian Langere & Keith Wasserman
Resident Relief Foundation, Gelt Inc., and Domuso Inc. Our Story: “In 2008, we co-founded Gelt Inc., a real estate investment syndication whose acquisitions reached $1 billion in 2017. Five years ago, we co-founded Domuso Inc., which provides the multifamily industry with automated payment solutions and flexibility in paying rent for the renter. We also saw a real need for a different type of rental assistance, and so Resident Relief Foundation (formerly The Gelt Foundation) was
Ken Lacy | Veterans Path Up, Inc. Our Story: “In my mind, I believe investing my retirement into real estate (SDIRAs) is safer than the market and allows me to sleep better. The first investment property that my IRA invested in had a veteran move into it, and this began my passion. When the first veteran family that Veterans Path Up helped get into a home closed on their VA loan 10 months later, becoming homeowners and 100-percent self-sufficient, it was my proudest moment in real estate. On their journey during that period, this couple built a community garden in the backyard, the wife became an ordained minister, and they rallied the neighborhood to decrease crime and increase property values. Our model of ‘teaching a veteran to fish rather than giving them a fish’ resonates with civilians and military of all kinds.” formed to address that need. To date, the foundation has given over 32 rental assistance grants, including a single mother of four who got behind on her rent after her brother died but had sufficient income [after being caught up] to continue paying on her own, Hurricane Harvey victims temporarily out of work, and a Vietnam vet facing eviction. All of those people have been able to continue living in their homes, paying rent on time, and contribute to their communities.”
MASTER INVESTOR OF THE YEAR: Think Realty’s Master Investor is an individual with a proven track record of success, integrity, and service in the real estate industry.
Charles Blair Real Deal Meetup Why real estate? "It has been my life-long mission to share my knowledge of this beautiful industry with others"
Adam Adams Blue Spruce Holdings Why real estate? “Real estate is versatile, exciting, and a team sport. Also, I can control the value of it more than any other investment.”
How he got started: "As a junior high school dropout, who grew up in the tough projects of east Baltimore, I wasn't supposed to make it out of this environment, let alone succeed. After only 4 years as a real estate investor, my partner and I became the largest minority owners of apartment buildings in downtown Baltimore. We owned 35 apartment buildings and more than 250 units. What saved me from being another statistic? I fell in love with real estate investing. •
Biggest real estate “win” so far: “My biggest win so far is being nominated for this award. I would never have expected this. I believe this came from the unique ways I have found success in networking and building a personal brand through podcasting and investing.”
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