By Meg Peters
Review Co-Editor
Being only a senior at Lake Orion High School makes Gavin Mills one of the youngest investors in the Lake Orion Community.
With a ten-year loan, a little help from his dad and a growing realtor sense, Gavin purchased a five unit apartment complex at 34 North Shore Dr.
‘I saw something not everyone else saw in this property, that it could be nice, it could be something the neighborhood could be proud of,? he said.
Gavin started his first business, Gavin Mills Real Estate Ventures LLC, and is eager to complete renovations to the stripped building by June to rent it out early summer.
The units are 300 square feet each, will contain a complete kitchen, bathroom and shower. Tenants will be able to use a washer and dryer in a separate utility room at the end of the building. The tenants will also have lake access utilizing the boat launch at the end of Lake St.
He sees single men and women in their 30s and 40s as potential tenants for the cute, brand new units.
‘I saw it as an investment. Hopefully I can turn a nice project into a nice profit,? he said.
If he’s anything like his father, maybe it’s already in his blood.
His father, Christian Mills, owns several properties in the downtown center district of Lake Orion, just recently purchased the former antique store at 20 E. Broadway, and turned the old K-of-C building into Motor City Granite earlier this year.
‘I’m super proud of him,? Christian Mills said. ‘I hope he makes his own way, if it happens to be real estate development or becoming an entrepreneur, whatever he’s happy doing.?
Gavin sees his father as a little investment too.
‘I want to learn from him,? he said.
So, instead of taking a couple ‘blow off classes? to finish out his senior year, Gavin did an internship with Christian’s real estate business, and spends half of every school day in the office, listening in on meetings and researching partners.
Next fall Gavin will attend Central Michigan University on an academic scholarship to major in real estate finance and development and minor in entrepreneurship.
While he’s not sure how long he will stay in Michigan, for the next four years he spends studying, he will also be scouting investment opportunities in the mitten.
‘If I see a good opportunity with property, I’ll look at it, size it up, and see if it’s a smart opportunity.?
And will never forget his Dragonhood.
‘I’m just excited to be apart of the Lake Orion community and making it a little better place.?