“I think the only reason people don’t have wealth is because they don’t know how it works.”

Athena Paquette-Cormier

RE Investment Consultant

MONEY IS ENERGY

Recently honored with the Inspirational Leader Award by the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce, Athena Paquette-Cormier is a mortgage broker, former government mortgage underwriter for the FHA 203k rehab program, financial advocate, and investment consultant who has been helping locals finance dreams that create generational wealth. After passing Series 7 and 66 exams she expanded her educational and expert advice to include industries inside and outside real estate. Athena, a Torrance resident, is the President of Mortgage Bootcamp Inc.

I LOVE EDUCATING PEOPLE

Twenty five year ago Athena created the South Bay’s leading real estate homebuyer course for Torrance Unified Adult School. Pivoting to accommodate Covid restrictions Athena retooled the coursework into four quick-start sessions via Zoom. Each session leads the listener through examples of her own properties, along with current listings, for an accurate sense of how to invest here. Athena says, “I call it creating cash flow with real estate from A to Z, so I really do try and do a kind of sweep of all the different ways you can invest in real estate.”

Her sense of community has long been a driving force in what she does and how she goes about it. Athena shares, “The industry has evolved a lot since 1995 when I started. I teach the logical part of just how it all works, the nuts and bolts of how it all comes together step one to step three.” Her favorite client profile is someone who wants to learn and is willing to take action to reach for their goals.

Sponsor Athena pictured with student awarded Science Camp Scholarship

HOW TO INVEST IN ANY FINANCIAL ENVIRONMENT

As an investment instructor Athena’s podcasts are designed to keep past and current investors up-to-date on the latest trends, offerings and tips. “I’m a property investor who’s owned and managed apartment buildings since my 20’s. I have an insider’s perspective when it comes to buying property and financing loans. You’d be surprised at the number of lenders, underwriters, and even real estate agents who have never purchased property of their own and therefore only have book knowledge, not real life wisdom." Athena likes to say, “Choose your investments wisely so it can grow. Whether you’re in your 20s or your 60s, real estate investment is something you can do.”

Athena has specific advice for the self-employed, “If you are a business owner, entrepreneurs, gig worker, retired living on assets, you know how hard it is to get financing of any kind let alone a mortgage or business loan. Whether you want to buy a home, expand your business, access your equity, refinance or invest, I have funding solutions that are not based on tax returns.”

FAMILY DNA

Athena’s teaching and savvy investing skills are part of her DNA, thanks to a grandmother and mother who were teachers, and a father who held a PhD in Economics. Late one evening Athena recalls asking her father for help with her third grade homework that was due the next day; three hours later she says she still did not have the easy answer she wanted, but realizes she received something much more valuable: lifelong tools in economics and mathematical theory. She reflects, “That one night teaching me all those connections, it made it all make sense”. Athena’s mother was English major who used a cash envelope system to manage household expenses on a skintight budget. Athena learned that particular lesson well and has built her real estate empire by keeping her money invested and eschewing unnecessary expenses. Her voice smiling, Athena is proud to note, “I still drive a 2006 car”. Athena urges her clients to, “Jump in and keep your bills low”, which is the same advice she followed to build her own wealth, and is one of the reasons she receives an 80% referral rate from clients.

INVESTORS CORNER PODCASTS

Cashflow Academy’s Investors Corner podcasts are free and feature diverse investment stories. Athena says, “ The show is for anyone trying to create passive income from cash flowing properties so that you too can get out of the rat race and stay out and live the life you wish to, not the one you have to. “

SNAPSHOT

Athena Paquette-Cormier’s website is an informative springboard to real estate investing: AthenaPaquette.com

¨ Mortgage Broker in Torrance CA with over 30 years experience

¨ Bureau of Real Estate, License #01142629; NMLS #321683

¨ Member of the National Association Mortgage Underwriters, American Association of Private Lenders, Association of Financial Educators Torrance Adult School, Instructor, Real Estate Investment Classes

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NJ is a storyteller who has written in many voices for clients in health, education, entertainment, food, sport and politics. Her firm managed publicity for documentary films, book authors and the U.S. Championships. NJ received the Lynn Weaver Award from the Entertainment Professional Publicists Society for her lifelong commitment to philanthropy and community volunteerism.