Liz Faircloth’s journey from aspiring social worker to successful real estate investor and women’s advocate offers unique insights into entrepreneurship, community building, and creating lasting impact. Over two decades, she has built a portfolio of thousands of multifamily units and established a thriving community supporting women in real estate investment.
An Unexpected Path to Real Estate
While studying social work at the University of Pennsylvania, Faircloth’s entrepreneurial spirit emerged when she fought to take a business class at the Wharton School. This early experience and her passion for helping others laid the foundation for her future career.
Starting with a single duplex purchase alongside her then-boyfriend (now husband), Faircloth has expanded her real estate portfolio to include:
- Large multifamily properties
- Value-add investments
- New construction projects
- Properties across multiple states including North Carolina, Minnesota, and Utah
Women in Real Estate: Creating the InvestHer Community
After attending numerous real estate conferences where women were significantly underrepresented, Faircloth recognized a crucial gap in the industry.
This observation led to the creation of InvestHer, a platform designed to support women in real estate investing.
“We went to a conference together, and we had all the women there sit together – it was like 10 of us in a room of 300 people. That visual really highlighted the need for a dedicated women’s community in real estate.” – Liz
Impact Through Real Estate
Faircloth’s approach to real estate investment combines profitability with community impact. In Trenton, New Jersey, she and her husband transformed over 40 dilapidated properties into quality housing and even converted a vacant building into a small business center.
Current Market Insights
During the podcast, Faircloth identified several key trends in today’s real estate market:
- Multifamily properties remain overpriced in many areas
- New construction offers significant opportunities, especially in addressing housing shortages
- Smaller projects (around 30 units) with mixed-use components show promise
- Partnerships with local governments can provide valuable incentives
Insurance Challenges in Real Estate
A significant challenge facing real estate investors is the dramatic increase in insurance costs. Faircloth emphasizes the importance of obtaining insurance quotes before finalizing property purchases, as rates have doubled in many cases over the past three years.
Balancing Family and Business
Faircloth attributes her success in managing multiple responsibilities to clear prioritization.
She emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries and maintaining focus on core values, particularly when it comes to family commitments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How did Liz Faircloth transition from social work to real estate investing?
While studying social work, she took an entrepreneurship class at Wharton, which sparked her interest in business. She started investing in real estate with her husband, beginning with a duplex and gradually expanding to larger properties.
Q: What inspired the creation of InvestHer?
After noticing the significant underrepresentation of women in real estate conferences and experiencing gender-based challenges in the industry, Faircloth created InvestHer to provide support, tools, and community for women investors.
Q: What are the current opportunities in real estate, according to Faircloth?
She identifies new construction projects, particularly those addressing housing shortages, as promising opportunities. She also emphasizes the value of mixed-use developments and partnerships with local governments.
Q: How does Faircloth manage work-life balance?
She maintains clear priorities, with family at the top, and sets boundaries around her time. She emphasizes the importance of being mindful of choices and not feeling guilty about prioritizing family commitments.
Q: What is the biggest challenge in real estate investing today?
Rising insurance costs represent a significant challenge, with rates doubling in many cases over the past three years. Faircloth recommends obtaining insurance quotes early in the property acquisition process.
