Chimene Van Gundy

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Vol. 22

WOMEN THAT ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN AMERICA Victoria Mondloch

PLUS

Chimene Van Gundy A Feature on Dr. Karyne Messina:

Living the American Dream by helping others to find their homes and success

A psychoanalyst and author

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EP Magazine 3 People just love Chimene Van Gundy. Having a sparkle in her hazel eyes, a sweet grin and an effervescent personality is only a small part of it. Mainly, it is because she fits the Rags to Riches formula that endears authors, television producers and movie makers. You know; that story of someone who has struggled from an oppressive childhood and the depths of despair, works hard for years, and overcomes poverty. Someone who achieves success, wealth, and status, all despite the odds. Chimene is The American Dream personified—a child who lived in foster care, a one-time single working mom and a woman who now appears in a book about leaders and legends alongside Oprah, Melinda Gates, and Jack Canfield. She is also now a woman who owns five profitable businesses that are distinct, yet all related to real estate.

Chimene says her life story could be a better example than ever as America begins to emerge from the 2020 pandemic and the staggering unemployment and money problems that come with it. There is always hope, she says, always an opportunity to move forward. Just be ready to recognize it and to work hard for what you want.

“When life throws you curveballs, that’s when you realize what you’re made of. When I was laid off in 2015, I was heartbroken. I had four kids depending on me. I could not rely on my ex for support. I was devastated. I had no choice but to make something happen. And I’ve kept moving forward ever since. “ Chimene says these stressful life events shaped her and helped her to become such an unstoppable force.

From Humble Beginnings…

Chimene was born in Iowa and is a true Midwesterner. She grew up one of seven children, so you can imagine how much (or little) there was to go around. They lived in a small 1400 square foot house with one bathroom. When she went into foster care, she lived in a trailer home and that made some label her negatively. Other kids at school judged her and often rejected her. That rejection hurt emotionally, but it also was great training for someone who would have a sales-driven business one day; Chimene understood there will always be those who appreciate what you offer, as well as those who slam the door in your face.

Chimene does not go into detail about it, but says her parents belonged to a religious cult, and that led to abuse and removal of her from their home. She then went into foster care, a life that keeps you moving from place to place, uncertain of the future. Chimene says this also molded her character, teaching her to embrace change and be prepared for the unexpected. It also showed her that you can’t count on anyone but yourself, and it turned Chimene into a very adaptable and selfreliant young woman.

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Ten valuable life lessons I’ve learned 1.

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Never rely on anyone but yourself; trust yourself.

Be prepared to face rejection and overcome it.

Some of the greatest wisdom comes from books.

If you work your tail off, it should be for your gain, not another’s business.

A mentor is an invaluable friend -- for life.

Change is a constant; be adaptable.

People who live in mobile homes are not poor or less successful than you are.

Being resourceful is important now more than ever before.

Nothing ever improves unless you decide to make it happen.

Every dark day, every challenge, is just an opportunity in disguise.

When Chimene was 18 she had her first child. That son is now 25, and she has four other children, aged 19, 16, 8 and 6. After a bad marriage and equally nasty divorce, Chimene found herself a single working mother. She married a second time, to her current husband Chad, who is a Critical Care Nurse. This explains his nature—selfless, caring, nurturing, supportive, and always available to those who need TLC. Early in their marriage, Chimene was working in a corporate setting and put in many hours plus intellect and energy only to help someone else’s business grow. Then she got laid off.

“Imagine, working your tail off, and then you end up with nothing. No profits, no pension. I decided I would never again work that hard to make another company or person wealthy. I told my kids and husband how I felt and that I would figure something out.”

Taking a Leap of Faith Chad’s response was that he loved her, he believed in her, and he knew that she would make it. It was not until the age of 37 that Chimene heard someone tell her that, that they had such unwavering belief in her.

That year, she read a book that changed her life. It was called Rich Dad Poor Dad. The book is written

by Robert T. Kiyosaki and is so inspiring, some people refer to it as The Purple Bible. The book lit a fire in Chimene too. It explained things about FICO scores, launching a business, investing and cash flow that she had never realized before--such as you don’t have to have a high income to start making money. There was an immediate spark! Chimene was motivated to attend a free introductory seminar about real estate investing—and the rest is history.

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“I literally won a course, three days of training. It was to happen on Mother’s Day Weekend of 2015. I told my husband that this was what I wanted as my Mother’s Day gift.”

Chimene spent those three days in training, learning about real estate, the four buckets of money, and the fact that the bank doesn’t want to be stuck with foreclosed properties -- because they are in the lending business, not the property management business.

She was invited next to join the success group, which required two prior classes and a mentor.

Chimene now had these, but this advanced group also came with a $20,000 price tag and she had no idea how she would come up with the funds. Still Chimene was so enthused, so determined. She knew nothing would change for her unless she made it happen. So, she took that first leap of faith, the first confident stride, and set out to become the unstoppable force that she is today.

“I told them to hold my space for seven days and they agreed to. I went home and sold some jewelry, some paintings, and a collection of Precious Moments figurines that I had been collecting since childhood. I was able to come up with all but the last $3,000.

My husband kicked in that part of the money. It was such an incredible feeling to know he believed so strongly in my ability.”

Investing in Mobile Homes Pays Off When Chimene first got involved in the mobile home business, the impetus was twofold: to start earning money with all she’d learned from her training and mentor, and to help change the image of the mobile homeowner that stigmatized her as a youth. Mobile homeowners are not, in fact, cash poor and about 25% of the 22 million people who own a mobile home have a six-figure income.

Today Chimene is known as The Queen of Mobile Homes and is well on her way to achieving the goal of putting one million people into mobile homes. She also wants to inspire, educate, and support other people to create wealth by investing in real estate.

After Chimene took that first leap of faith and went into real estate investing, she perfected a process of buying properties without credit or cash. To date, she has wholesaled more than 150 mobile home units in 11 states. She has fixed and flipped roughly 450 mobile home units. She went from a net worth that at one-time was negative $50,000 (mainly student loans for her bachelor’s degree and Paralegal Certificate) to over $2 million in net worth. And all this happened barely 5 years ago.

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“It all started,” she says, “with that first mentorship July 13th through 15th of 2015.

Between then and September 25th, I had made a total of $180,000. Then my house caught on fire. I had to stop and deal with changes, and then relaunch the business in early 2016. That’s when I felt I could truly devote myself again.”

Ten Reasons a Mobile Home is a Wonderful Investment 1. It is such an easy choice for the first-time homeowner.

2. Shelter is a basic life need; affordable housing is the best form of shelter one can offer.

3. The taxes for a mobile home are lower than most houses and other real estate.

4. Mobile homes are a turnkey real estate investment (complete and ready to be leased out).

5. Mobile homes are one of three recession proof RE investments (also land, self-storage).

6. A mobile home community is great for retirees; it keeps one active and socially engaged.

7. A single transaction can net from $3-5,000 in profit in just 30 days and long-term cash flow.

8. Mobile homes are extremely low maintenance.

9. Mobile home sales have increased 80% in recent months.

10. My website is www.mobilehomemillions.com -- doesn’t that say it all?

Teaching Others the Secret: The Million Dollar Formula Many are surprised when they hear how Chimene got started, because she truly didn’t have handy cash to invest when she bought her very first mobile home. Now, she is living her dream, has time for her personal and creative pursuits, and is helping others along the same path.

She has launched a website, www.mobilehomemillions.com that tells of her history, success, and methods. She outlines a ten-step process for guiding others in the pursuit of wealth and freedom.

Chimene stresses she is teaching people a wholesaling strategy that requires no money and no credit. She is enabling them to tap into the drive for success that is inside them.

“Typically, you can close mobile home deals in under 30 days. The minute they get that first deal, they know it works. They now have that belief. When they have that belief, they have the confidence. When you have confidence in something, it becomes part of you. And that’s when they begin to make a massive change.”

Her sweet smile, her bubbling energy and her life story all make Chimene earthy and relatable, not like the typical icon or real estate mogul. Even the messages on her web pages for The Secrets to Becoming A Mobile Home Millionaire reflect this personal distinction. It tells readers “…these are courses specifically designed for the busy individual that is serious about taking action to achieve their dreams or goals, and committed to investing in their personal development and career growth,” and then goes on to note “Chimene is a tough-love kinda coach, so the faint at heart need not inquire.”

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EP Magazine 9 Chimene Van Gundy is the CEO, founder, and creator of the Mobile Home Millionaire System.

She created Mobile Home Millions as a platform to teach others how to use mobile homes to earn money and transform their lives. In four years, she has found homes for over 400 families.

Below is an outline for the 10-step course she provides to help others follow her successful path.

STEP ONE

We walk you through our step-by-step process of setting up your business the right way.

STEP TWO

You’ll discover the importance of building your buyers list and how it can double or triple your sales.

STEP THREE

How to leverage social media and literally be able to buy and sell mobile homes from your couch.

STEP FOUR

You’ll learn how to locate mobile home parks and how to “drive for dollars.”

Chimene in the Media Chimene’s tremendous success has been the kind of thing that makes people sit up and take notice.

As a result, she has been featured in (or asked to write for) a variety of media that include television, radio, and full-length books. Many of these media appearances deal with the real estate topic, while others relate to making your dream happen or the benefits of living in a mobile home.

“I wrote part of a book,” Chimene says about her chapter in Wealth for Women: Conversations with the Team that Creates the Dream. This book is about women who have risen in leadership by teaching others to find wealth in real estate investing.

“And soon, I will be appearing in another.”

She was recently in a book called Millionaire Moms: Mom Entrepreneurs Share Secrets of Building Business and Raising Highly Successful Kids. Chimene was featured in this book along with her daughter, Bella Marsh. The book made best seller in 18 different categories. Chimene states that “I am very proud of this book especially for the chance to include my 19-year-old daughter, Bella Marsh. Bella has become the epitome of a highly successful kid and is her own amazing entrepreneur.

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EP Magazine 11 The newest book is called America’s Legends and Leaders, Stories that Made Us to Inspire YOU to Live Your Dreams. It profiles internationally acclaimed Americans – legends in sports, entertainment (like Oprah Winfrey), sales champions, business icons, and self-help authors like Jack Canfield.

Along with the famous names the book includes lesser-known names of people who are recognized leaders in their communities. Chimene says the one thing these diverse leaders and legends share is their personal life philosophy. It begins with a state of mind, the desire and confidence to make a better life for yourself and your fellow man.

Chimene has also often appeared as a speaking guest on the radio. Close Up Radio, a blog talk show that profiles business leaders, invited Chimene to be part of its Women Making a Difference in America series. She was also on another blog channel that is strictly about talking real estate.

Chimene has also written blogs for the online magazine Think Realty. One was about understanding the 3 M’s: mobile, manufactured, and modular.

In addition to these media, Chimene was asked to speak in front of the television camera. The PBS Show American Health Journal featured her in an episode about senior health, discussing the psychological benefits of life in a mobile home community. They deliberate factors like socialization and walking that impact seniors’ physical and emotional well-being.

Chimene is in the process of filming another segment for American Health Journal that will air 2020 - 2021. This one focuses on living longer and again stresses how beneficial life in a mobile home community can be.

Chimene is also a major presence on social media. You can find her engaging image everywhere.

One specific site is on YouTube, where she hosts a series of free videos like How to Start Investing in Mobile Homes with no Experience Required. There is also a subscriber channel that has more than 80 short educational videos about real estate, investing, and driving your own destiny. A quick peek and you’ll notice video testimonials of people saying what an amazing coach Chimene has been for their new, more independent future.

A Multi-Dimensional Woman While Chimene has often been in the spotlight for her success principles and leadership drive, there is much more to her—the womanly side that expresses itself as a wife, a mother, and a caretaker for children everywhere.

Chimene has always been a devoted mother, from the dark days with her first husband who was emotionally unavailable, to the days of birthing and nurturing her youngest.

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“There was quite a difference in their ages and when my now 8-year old was a newborn, my eldest was 16. I made sure the older ones understood the babies were not their responsibility. I took care of them all, with help from Chad, who is an amazing and involved father. They all share a special bond and it is a delight to watch them play or cuddle and realize how close they are.”

After years of lacking attention—from her parents, extended family and first husband—Chimene finally has a true partner. Chimene loves to do activities with her family now. They go on nature hikes, and ride horseback. With her husband, she also rides motorcycles. They love to dress up for parties, especially at holidays, like Halloween and Christmas.

Chimene has a big heart for other children too, especially ones who may have been abused or neglected, or ended up in foster care (as she once was). She does a lot of volunteer work with Guardians of the Children (GOC) and was Chair of their Hill Country Texas Chapter for almost five years. GOC’s mission is to recognize and react to child abuse and educate the public to do the same.

They act as advocates and provide support to families in crisis, offering strength, love, and hope to the children. They serve as guardians and friends when the children go to court to testify, which can be a most stressful time.

“I have a deep love for children, and this is just one of the ways it shows up,” Chimene notes.

The Real Estate Market in a Brave New Era When COVID struck in Spring 2020, people went on lockdown, and many industries shuttered with it. But not real estate. Of course, people had to learn to do things in new ways, like show properties via flyers or virtually on platforms like Zoom.

EP Magazine 14 According to a Forbes article on the economy and this industry, realty took some hits. Hotels and Air B & B reservations froze. Agents were torn between going out and doing their job or staying home to try and stem the disease. Malls and shopping centers stood empty. The article also remarked “Real Estate is a long-term investment, so one can’t get stuck in a short-term view. Empty nesters will still look to downsize and resettle. People who are serious about buying might have to shift their timelines for a couple of months, but they will still buy.”

Chimene has always promoted mobile homes and said they were recession-proof. She says they still are. The new world of 2020 proves this: mobile home sales did not suffer, as a matter of fact they are up 80% in recent months. One reason is that people whose big homes were foreclosed on looked for more affordable places to dwell. People from the hard-hit Tri-State Area thought about how crowds and public transportation impacted the disease and wanted to move to more suburban settings.

Many chose the South, because of warmer temperatures and different tax regulations that make it easier on a retiree.

Chimene emphasizes that “a home is a basic life need—food, clothing, and shelter— not a desire. People want something affordable and safe and mobile homes are often the answer. Demand will only go up from here.”

A Role Model for us All Chimene Van Gundy is a guru who recognized that affordable housing was disappearing. During the past fifteen to twenty years, as the cost of living kept rising, wages have remained flat and sometimes even declined. Mobile homes and manufactured housing just may be the last hope for those who seek homes that are both affordable and well crafted; for people who want to live in areas that are safe and suited to a quality family life. With her perceptive mind, Chimene knows mobile homes are a viable solution to the various problems that face people across America.

Chimene is someone from whom we can all learn great life lessons. She had the smarts and drive to recognize opportunity when it came along-- and to seize it with both hands. She has the intellect and energy to keep exploring new business opportunities, such as holiday homes abroad and mobile home parks in new areas of Florida or Texas.

Chimene has risen from a tough childhood and not only survived but thrived. Today she readily shares her story and success secrets with others. She has helped hundreds while making millions.

This all makes her royalty; a Queen in spirit as well as in name.

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Chimene Van Gundy E-mail: chimenevangundy@hotmail.com Websites: https://www.mobilehomemillions.com chimenevangundy.com