Have you ever worked so much that you felt like you had no life? That was CJ Hibbitts. He was stuck working over 70 hours a week, missing holidays, family time, and fun. He was making okay money—but he was always tired and had no freedom.
Then he found something that changed his life: real estate wholesaling.
In this story, you’ll see how CJ made $13,000 from his first wholesale deal—even though he was new to real estate. If you’ve ever dreamed of making money outside a regular job, this might be the start you’ve been looking for.
From Burnout to Real Estate Freedom
CJ’s job wasn’t just busy—it was nonstop. From January to April one year, he worked every single day. No weekends off. No breaks. It was wearing him down.
Even though the paycheck was decent, CJ felt drained. He wanted a career that gave him both income and time. He started looking for a way out.
Learning How to Start Wholesaling Real Estate
At first, wholesale real estate sounded too good to be true. Could you really make money without buying houses yourself?
Then CJ found Zack Boothe’s online training program. He learned that wholesaling isn’t a scam—it’s a business based on solving problems. Wholesalers help property owners sell quickly, often when homes need repairs or owners are in tough situations.
CJ dove into the course. He learned how to:
It was a lot to learn. CJ made some mistakes at first. But he kept going.
How CJ Found His First Real Estate Wholesale Deal
After mailing 300 yellow letters to potential sellers, CJ took a short vacation. While he was away, he got a voicemail from a woman named Mrs. Wages.
Excited, CJ came home and sent out 1,500 more letters. For weeks, he and Mrs. Wages left each other messages, trying to find a time to meet. Finally, she told him to just show up at the house.
CJ visited the property—a small 2 bed, 1.5 bath house. It had:
- Damaged siding
- No gutters
- A messy yard with an old truck and trailer
Still, it had potential. The tenants living there were helpful and told CJ what repairs were needed.
How to Calculate a Real Estate Wholesale Offer
Before making an offer, CJ had to figure out how much the house would be worth after repairs—called the After Repair Value (ARV).
His mother and girlfriend, both real estate agents, helped him find similar home sales. CJ also talked to local house flippers to estimate repair costs.
He used this formula: ARV x 0.92 - Repair Costs = Maximum Offer Price
For this house:
- ARV: $100,000
- Repairs: $5,000
- Max offer: around $90,000
How CJ Negotiated His First Wholesale Real Estate Deal
When CJ finally met Mrs. Wages, she didn’t waste time. She told him she’d sold lots of homes before and wanted a serious offer right away.
CJ asked about her goals. She said she wanted to split the money with her kids. When she asked for a number, he gave a range: $80,000–$100,000.
She said, "You're spot on." They agreed to a final price of $90,000, with CJ covering $1,500 in closing costs.
Assigning the Contract and Making $13K Profit
Before the deal was even signed, CJ had already built a list of cash buyers through Facebook groups. One buyer jumped at the opportunity and didn’t even need to see the house in person.
CJ assigned the contract and made a $13,000 profit on his first deal.
What CJ Learned from His First Real Estate Deal
CJ says the hardest part is not slowing down after your first win. You have to keep marketing, keep calling, and keep looking for new deals.
Wholesaling real estate isn’t easy, but it’s possible if you stay consistent and learn from your mistakes.
How to Start Wholesaling Today
If CJ’s story inspired you, take the first step:
- Learn the basics of wholesaling
- Start driving for dollars in your area
- Send your first batch of direct mail
- Build a buyers list
You don’t need a license or a ton of money to begin. You just need the drive to take action—just like CJ did.
Conclusion
CJ’s journey shows that you don’t need a fancy degree, a real estate license, or a big bank account to start wholesaling. What you do need is determination, patience, and the willingness to learn.
His first deal wasn’t perfect. He made mistakes. But he kept going—and that’s what made all the difference.
If you’re tired of long workweeks and want a new path, real estate wholesaling for beginners might be your chance. Start small. Learn the basics. Take action.
Who knows? Your first deal could be just one yellow letter away.
