At a young age Chris Rakestraw, Tupelo real estate investor, was all about checking the real estate ads after he moved to Tupelo in the '80s, an article from DJ Journal said.
Rakestraw said that when he grew up in Alpine, Mississippi, he and his family were just poor but his mother knew that there was a better life for them. This is the reason why they all moved to Tupelo.
Rakestraw worked as a banker before he started flipping Tupelo homes. He quit his job in 2004 to renovate his first home.
"My first house was a learning experience. It helped me realize that there could be a different story to my life," he said. "As I worked on that house, I was working on myself, too. With the first house, second house, third house, I built confidence in myself."
The young man used his "eclectic transitional" style to renovate old homes. He said that he found a love for rebuilding structures and using new floor plans plus adding modern fixtures.
Rakestraw's most popular project was Greensboro Cottages three years ago, for five apartments on the corner of Green and Jackson streets. At present the cottages have a 100 percent occupancy. This project inspired him to develop the West Jackson corridor.
"It is my hope to do more in that area," he said. "If everything comes together, and I have a part in it, when you drive down West Jackson Street, it's going to be like flipping the pages of Southern Living."
Rakestraw finished his 1119 W. Jackson St. project, from a two bedroom, one bath to a three bedroom, two bath and adding a beautiful porch. The property was recently sold. His latest project is the old Pizza Doctor building on 621 Joyner Ave. which was once Booker's Grocery Store.
The Mississippi native resided in Nashville for two years as he did projects in Tupelo. He said he's ready to concentrate solely on Tupelo. He is inspired from Nashville's development renaissance and wants to take this to Tupelo which he calls his home.
"It has the potential to be really great, and of course, all of my family is here," Rakestraw said. "The times I've been in Nashville, I've become disconnected with some people, and I really just wanted to get back to Tupelo."
