Hello Richmond, VA Investors!

[Shawn Reidy]

Bigger Pockets Family,

Good afternoon from sunny El Paso, TX. I'm writing to introduce myself to the Bigger Pockets community and network with like-minded individuals, especially those in the Richmond, VA area.

I, like many others, caught the bug for real estate investing after reading Rich Dad, Poor Dad.  The concepts were so simple, yet it truly shifted my paradigm regarding money.  Since then, it seems that I can't learn enough about real estate.  What's most exciting, and sometimes frustrating, about my journey thus far is that the more I learn, the more I realize I don't know.  In that regard, it's encouraging to pore over the forums and witness just how supportive this community is towards those, like myself, who are just starting out.

My wife and I will be moving to Richmond, VA within the next couple of weeks and are hoping to make our first investment a "house hack." We would like to purchase a multifamily downtown and live in one unit while renting out the other(s). I've been watching properties come and go on the MLS, and it seems like most multifamilys with solid numbers don't last more than a couple of days.

We have been pre-approved for a VA loan and, through the mortgage broker, have been set up with an agent in Richmond. After a few discussions with her, it seems that she's more interested in a large commission than meeting our intent for the property.

For those of you that have stuck with me thus far, thank you for taking the time to read my introduction.  I look forward to learning from each and every one of you!