1 Stop Real Estate Solutions LLC
As bidder #1 at most One House At A Time auctions, Will Rodgers of 1 Stop Real Estate Solutions LLC is not only at the top of receivership’s alphanumeric bidder list, but also the top of his game with nearly 30 years and over 400 properties worth of rehab experience. Now Rodgers is training his 16-year-old daughter to eventually carry on the family business and secure her successful future.
Rodgers grew up in West Baltimore. He attended Carver Vocational-Technical High School, learning construction and development trades like carpentry, electrical, and plumbing. Though home renovation seems like a natural next step from his trade school education, Rodgers says he just sort of fell into his career. “I always had an entrepreneurial spirit,” he says. “But it was just one of those things where somebody told me about it and I was kind of curious. I just bought properties and I’ve been stuck in this profession ever since.”
"I wanted to make sure she has all of the tools that she needs to succeed on her own..."
He began purchasing real estate in 1997, in his early 20’s, staying in West Baltimore for familiarity. His first investments were two rental properties he bought on the same day at public auction. Years later, Rodgers discovered an opportunity to purchase and rehab inexpensive vacant properties through One House At A Time. As a One House bidder for several years now, 1 Stop Real Estate Solutions has thus far brought over 30 receivership properties back to Use and Occupancy standards with plenty more to come. “The one thing that I like about receivership the most is that it allows you to plan out your deal flow,” says Rodgers. “So, if I bought two or three houses from [One House], I know that a few months from now they’ll be ready to go to settlement. I’ll know I have these few houses coming up versus having to look for houses months down the line.” He also enjoys how receivership “builds a sense of community when we can put dilapidated properties back into homeownership.”
From small row homes to huge single-family detached homes, Rodgers’ receivership portfolio is vast and varying. Larger houses are his favorite. He likes the renovations he did at 3700 Springdale Avenue and 3708 Fairview Avenue, both grand, three-story porch front homes. “Bigger houses allow you to be more creative,” Rodgers says. Both properties have 6 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms, and are located on .25 acre lots. The Springdale property has barn doors, a jetted tub and spa shower, two-toned coffered ceilings, a chef’s kitchen, two-car garage, stone chimney, finished basement with walkout access to the fenced yard, and a sitting room area and fireplace within its primary bedroom. 3708 Fairview has a chef’s kitchen with a touch screen refrigerator, tray ceilings, first and second floor primary suites, a large deck and fenced yard, as well as an attached studio apartment with its own exterior entrance.
"...[He] is always there to teach me new information about real estate and even teach me lessons that are not only crucial to business, but also the outside world..."
Rodgers is currently sharing his expertise with his daughter Willow, a 16-year-old high school sophomore. “I believe all parents should guide their children toward learning and financial literacy, so they can be self-sufficient,” he says. “I wanted to make sure she has all of the tools that she needs to succeed on her own, because she can go way further than I took the business.”
Right now, Willow is learning the order of operations. She helps with scheduling demos, waterproofing, framing, and roofing. Rodgers introduces her to the plumbers, electricians, and HVAC professionals on each project. Her favorite role is helping with design decisions like choosing paint colors and tiles. “I am an artsy person,” says Willow. “I like the fact that I am able to be creative and use my own personal preferences when it comes to designing different parts of the house.” Rodgers also brings Willow along to One House auctions. “We go over the numbers,” says Rodgers. “So, every deal, we go over why we bought some houses and passed on others.” Willow writes down all the sales prices at the auction and Rodgers explains to her which deals are good, which are not so good, where some people over paid, etc.
“It’s been a whole headache. Somebody who doesn’t want to listen,” Rodgers describes the mentorship process with a light-hearted laugh. “Willow is very independent. But no, the reality is it is fun. It allows us to bond. She’s getting it, the older she gets, the possibilities and the financial benefits and the fulfillment [this career path] can bring.” Willow similarly pokes fun at her dad’s mentoring. But ultimately, she says she enjoys the process as well and is grateful for his guidance. “Although he may have some flaws with staying organized with so many projects and over-explaining certain things, I’d say he’s a pretty good mentor,” says Willow. “My father has inspired me by teaching me business early and making sure I have the knowledge to succeed in the field. Working with him has made me see him in a new light by making me realize that not everyone is perfect, yet he strives to improve daily and is always there to teach me new information about real estate and even teach me lessons that are not only crucial to business, but also the outside world in our day-to-day lives.” She says that even if it doesn’t become her main job, she certainly plans to pursue real estate in the future.
Willow’s brother, Nigel, a college senior, also tags along to auctions when he’s not away at school. According to Rodgers, Nigel plans to participate in a trade apprenticeship for either plumbing or electrical work after graduation. “I wanted to send him off to college first so he could live on his own, understand how the real world works, go there for connections,” says Rodgers. “I let him know that if he wants to work for somebody else, he has the tools now from college. But if he learns this trade and lets me teach him the business, works with me for a couple of years, he’ll be light years ahead of everyone else just because he’ll understand it inside and out. And now all of my resources and connections become his.” When Nigel is home, Rodgers has him walk the properties, take photos, and learn everything Willow is learning.
"You can truly live a different life when you can play by your own rules."
Occasionally, Rodgers will mentor up-and-coming developers outside of the family. But it’s rare, he says. “I really think most people don’t understand what it takes and they don’t take it seriously. So, it’s easier to help the family because they see the full benefits of it,” says Rodgers. He says that financial freedom is the main reason he is so passionate about introducing his family to the industry. “You can truly live a different life when you can play by your own rules,” Rodgers says. “Real estate has allowed me to take my kids to school every single day, pick them up from school every single day. Never missed a field trip, never missed a parent-teacher conference. I would love to teach them the business so they can have the same opportunity when they get ready to start their own families. And just the freedom to live life on your own terms. Entrepreneurship is very hard because in the beginning you’re going to be working three times as hard. But once you get to that point where things are good, the rest of your life is on cruise.”
And the benefits of this career, Rodgers says, are not only financial. Another reward is his passion and pride in work that uplifts the community. With the tools he provides in his mentorship, that legacy of positive impact is sure to flourish through the Rodgers family line. “I grew up in Section 8 housing in the city. So, homeownership wasn’t something I saw a lot of growing up,” Rodgers says. “As a kid, I was a dreamer. But I didn’t believe that this would be what I was doing. So, for me, it really means a lot to ride through the city and see so many houses that I had a hand in bringing back. It really makes me smile.”
