From Car Sales to Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing

From Car Sales to Real Estate

For years, Statton Paris built his career in car sales and management. Like many who work in the dealership industry, he faced long hours, high stress, and limited flexibility. Paris worked 70-hour weeks, often arriving early and leaving late, with little control over his schedule.

Despite his success in car sales, he reached a breaking point. He wanted more freedom, more time with family, and the ability to build lasting wealth. That’s when he discovered real estate wholesaling, a business that changed his financial future.

Within his first year, Paris closed a wholesale deal that earned him nearly $10,000. Now, he has his sights set on generating $100,000 per month. His journey serves as an example for those considering real estate wholesaling as a route to financial independence.

Breaking Free From the Car Sales Grind

The car sales industry is demanding. Sales managers and wholesale professionals often put in 60–70 hours per week. According to the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA), dealership employees work longer than average compared to other industries, with sales managers often logging 55+ hours weekly. This leaves little room for family, freedom, or personal growth.

Paris described his frustration clearly:

“I don’t like working 70 hours a week. I don’t like reporting first thing in the morning and then leaving at 8 o’clock at night all the time. And the further you get moved up, the longer your hours are.”

That schedule, a common culture for dealerships, led him to search for another path. After a brief stop in mortgage lending, he found wholesaling real estate, where his income was no longer capped and his time was his own.

The First Deal: Persistence Overcomes Rejection

Paris’s first wholesale real estate deal didn’t come easy. He started with cold calls, but the results were slow. So, he decided to knock on doors in neighborhoods with distressed properties.

For a month and a half, Paris worked full days, going door to door from 9 AM to 5 PM. Eventually, he landed a probate property under contract for $22,500. He sold it for $35,000, making a profit of $9,500.

That single deal taught him two key lessons:

• Consistency matters more than instant success.
• Relationships with buyers can lead to repeat business.

Although he later realized he could have earned more on that deal, the buyer relationship led to multiple profitable assignments down the road.

The Door-Knocking Strategy That Worked

Paris kept his approach simple and direct:

1. Drive for dollars by searching neighborhoods for distressed homes.
2. Knock on doors with a clear pitch: “I work with a group of investors. We buy houses for cash. Are you interested in selling?”
3. If nobody answered, leave a typed note taped to the door with blue painter’s tape.

This low-cost strategy led to his second deal, which paid him $12,000. Paris proved that persistence and simplicity beat complicated marketing campaigns, especially when getting started.

Why He Quit Flipping Houses

Like many investors, Paris also tried flipping homes. At first, the bigger profits were tempting. But he quickly saw the drawbacks.

“Flipping is extremely capital-intensive. Things pop up all the time that cost you thousands of dollars,” he explained.

In one flip, he only made $4,500. In another, just $8,000. Meanwhile, his wholesaling deals consistently paid more with less risk. Unlike flipping, wholesaling did not require large upfront investments, contractors, or months of waiting for renovations.

“With wholesaling, it’s just marketing itself. I don’t have to worry about capital. It comes right back as soon as I close,” Paris said.

For former car wholesale professionals used to working on commission, the fast turnaround and low overhead made wholesaling a natural fit.

The Mindset Shift That Doubled His Income

Paris’s biggest breakthrough came from changing how he approached negotiations. In the beginning, he averaged about $10,000 per deal. Once he adjusted his mindset, he started earning $20,000–$25,000 consistently.

His negotiation strategies included:

• With sellers: Always start lower. If they accept too quickly, you offered too much.
• With buyers: Never take the first offer. Counter with a higher number and push for stronger fees.

“Don’t be desperate with your offers,” Paris advises. “If they’re motivated to sell, they’re going to sell.”

That confidence turned wholesaling into a real business, not just a side hustle. He now treats every negotiation as a professional transaction, not a desperate attempt to close.

Building Wealth Beyond Deals

For Paris, wholesaling isn’t just about money—it’s about legacy. He wants to provide for his family and create generational wealth.

“It says in the Bible that every man is measured by what they leave for their family. I’m supposed to leave something not just for my children but for my children’s children.”

By shifting from car sales to real estate wholesaling, Paris built a business that provides both income and lasting freedom. His next step is expanding into virtual wholesaling, where he can target larger markets beyond his local area.

Key Takeaways for Investors

Paris’s journey shows that anyone, even those working long hours in something like car sales, can pivot to real estate wholesaling and find freedom. His story highlights three lessons for aspiring wholesalers:

• Start simple and consistent. Driving for dollars and door-knocking can be enough to close deals.
• Avoid risky flips early on. Wholesaling provides faster cash flow with lower risk.
• Negotiate with confidence. Strong negotiation skills can double your profits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How did Statton Paris find his first wholesale deal?

He drove neighborhoods for distressed properties and knocked on doors daily. After six weeks, he secured a probate deal that paid him $9,500.

Q: Why did Paris choose wholesaling over flipping?

Flipping required heavy capital and carried risks of unexpected costs. Wholesaling needed little upfront investment and produced faster, more reliable income.

Q: How did Paris increase his profits from $10,000 to $25,000 per deal?

He stopped accepting low offers and learned to negotiate stronger contracts with both sellers and buyers.

Q: Can someone with no real estate background transition into wholesaling?

Yes. Paris came from vehicle and sales management. He proved that persistence and a willingness to learn are more important than prior experience.