Remember the group of friends who saved up their money for two years to purchase an investment property? They were just gifted $15,000 on ABC’s GMA3 to go towards their renovation costs.
It all started when Najee Hannigan pulled his cousins and longtime friends into his cooperative economics plan to buy their first investment property. Together, they decided to commit to saving $200 a month beginning in 2017. In June 2019, the group of 20 something year olds closed on their first property.
At the time, Hannigan told Because Of Them We Can, “[they planned] on rehabbing [the] property and renting it out.”
Now, thanks to the GMA3 cast,Michael Strahan, Sara Haines and KeKe Palmer, and a generous donation from construction company, 84 Lumber, these budding entrepreneurs will get to do just that. The group was invited to the morning talk show to discuss their journey to investing, how they were able to be diligent in saving their money and their ultimate goal to buy properties in underserved neighborhoods and create affordable housing for the residents in those communities.
One of the group members, Tyree Harvey, said, “ I was a little skeptical. I was scared. I didn’t think that I would be able to do it. I didn’t want to waste my time or the little money that I had to do it. But [Najee] really sat down with me. He fixed my credit so that gave me motivation to keep going. We sat down and he planned a whole budget for me, gave me different practices and disciplines and I’m definitely glad I kept it going for them 2 years. “
The guys said the process was very emotional, mainly because it took them 2 years to save the money and they had to hold each other accountable. Palmer announced the $15,000 donation from 84 Lumber saying that they wanted to support what the group was doing.
Hannigan expressed his excitement about the donation via Instagram saying, “Somebody pinch me please! Did this just happen? Is this real? I’m still in disbelief right now. All I wanted to do was put my guys on and save my community! Words can’t explain how amazing this is!”
Before leaving GMA3, Hannigan also had some parting words for other young adults looking to follow in their footsteps.
“If you have a job right now, then you can change your situation. You have to get in the mindset of paying yourself first. It’s hard, I get it. If everyday you wake up and you take a step towards your goal, no matter how long it takes, you’ll get there… It’s a marathon, not a sprint,” he said.
Congratulations guys! You all are an inspiration to us.