Utah Real Estate Investors Association

May Speaker:
Elizabeth Cordero

May Keynote Speaker:
Mike Baird

Topic: "Reset, Manage, Scale In Today's Environment"

One of my all-time favorite quotes is from Albert Einstein: “The only source of knowledge is experience.”

Hi, my name is Mike Baird and I am glad that our paths have crossed. I am a father, husband, and successful real estate investor and educator. I co-hosted and helped create the reality TV show, Flip Men, that aired internationally on A&E, Spike, Infinito, Dave, and Discovery Networks.

I have been written about in USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and Huffington Post. I have also made appearances on Fox Business Radio and multiple national news and media outlets.

I contribute regularly to Yahoo Real Estate, AOL and RealtyTrac for current real estate trends and advice. I was also the creator, producer, and host of Foreclosure Boys Radio that aired live during the 2008-2010 real estate meltdown, educating the public on real estate.

Prior to my real estate career buying and selling homes I worked in a small, family-owned printing company. It was while working in the bindery department (folding, licking, and labeling thousands of envelops) that I committed myself to pursue my passion. At age 16, my 83-year-old grandma looked at me and told me I was an “idiot” if I didn’t buy real estate when I was young.

My grandma’s words stuck with me when I declined several high paying opportunities to work in corporate America with a college degree in business and finance from Brigham Young University. I told my college peers, professors, and family I wasn’t going with the herd. I wanted to create a real estate empire. They all thought I was crazy. For my graduation gift, my father bought me $427 worth of tools and painting supplies and told me to “Get after it!” I haven’t looked back since.

In 2002, I married my sweetheart. Even though we were dirt poor, I was still passionate about life and my dreams. I decided to roll-up my sleeves and get busy. I didn’t know the difference between a flathead and a Phillips screw driver at the time. I don’t know what I was thinking. I was just determined.

My first house was purchased for $68,000 and was full of dog and cat feces. I had convinced a family friend to lend me the money for acquisition and rehab. After all, I didn’t have any money; I was working from a home office on a desk I had made from an old door I bought from a local thrift store. Two old filing cabinets were put on the ends that gave me room for my chair to roll under.

I made good profits on my first deal, got all my partner’s money back, and was onto the next deal. I have since closed millions of dollars of real estate and my passion for restoring pride-of-ownership in neighborhoods has become a number one priority.

I have hugged hundreds of neighbors in tears, next to the homes I am restoring. Restoring a sense of pride and giving back to communities is better than any sort of monetary gain I have ever experienced.

I am a fluent in Spanish and have traveled to Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico to pursue humanitarian projects and I have helped raise thousands of dollars to support organizations in need.

Now, I dedicate my time to teaching others about the power that is in real estate. It can be the vehicle that drives you to accomplish your life’s biggest ambitions. There is so much more to real estate than just buying and selling homes.