@Stevie Delacruz You have a lot of decisions ahead of you, and a lot of time ahead of you. Half the people on this site would kill to be in your situation, including me, but with one proviso, HAVING THE KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE THEY HAVE NOW. Experience is going to take time served at the school of hard knocks. You'll get that eventually. Right now, though, here you are in college, studying. It's the perfect time to gain knowledge. You're right in stating that San Diego isn't the best place in America to acquire high cash-flowing rentals. And I would say that's fine for now -- you have neither the money necessary to put a down payment on a rental property nor the knowledge of how to run it/wisely delegate responsibility for running it. Some are born with the money. Absolutely no one is born with the experience. I would most definitely use NOW to get into the habit of budgeting and saving. I struggled with it at your age. I regret this now. So how about this, Stevie? Incorporate "The Millionaire Next Door" and "The Total Money Makeover" by David Ramsey into your reading program. Listen to all the Bigger Pockets Money podcasts. Schedule your studying over time. You'll get there. A non-obvious book I would incorporate into your reading schedule is "How to Study in College" by Walter Pauk. I used it and did well, although I wasn't raised with good study habits. You can, too. Keep reading real estate books steadily in, again, your scheduled time. Keep an open mind. Good luck to you!

@Stevie Delacruz I see it is your first post so welcome to BP. I wouldn't deliberately wait. Start now, even if the only thing you do is learn your market. Take this time to build your network, build your capital to invest and build your knowledge. No or low money down deals don't just jump out at you. You have to look for and negotiate them. The sooner you start looking the sooner you will find one. However don't get frustrated, it is hard to find any good deal much less a no money down deal. But as long as you are moving down the path you are getting closer to your first deal.

You are not going to learn everything you need to know with books forums, websites etc. You do not learn your market or get experience sitting behind a computer screen. You need to get out into the market. One of the best things you can do right now is hang out with experienced investors.

I regret not having 1M handed to be on a silver plate when I graduated. Now that’s obviously sarcasm. No I have no regrets about when I started or how I started. I’m closer to financial freedom then anyone else I know my age.

@Stevie Delacruz Welcome to BP my friend I can relate 200%. I read, jumped onto bigger pockets and started listening to podcasts. I'm in no way trying to brag but trying to be truthful with you. What separated me from 95% of the other young kids like me that wanted to be rich, and/or do real estate was I TOOK ACTION. I didn't just read, and sit behind my computer. I went to meet ups and talked with other investors, I drove around and looked at neighborhoods and properties, and I was active on BP and FB providing value where I could. I'm not trying to devalue reading, and learning, but I am saying if that's all you do it isn't going to cut it. Many of these other investors in the responses have given great advice. You definitely should be working and saving money for your first purchase. However in the mean time you need to be out meeting people, networking and learning the market and what stuff is selling for/being bought for etc. I ran into my mentor and business partner because I was brave enough to go to networking events and talk to people, despite being scared, not wanting to drive far, and feeling like I was wasting my time. If you really want it my friend you will make it happen. You seem like a smart kid so I'm sure you know what you need to do, I just hope you have the courage and determination to do it! Good luck!

@Stevie Delacruz Wait a minute here, you're on financial aid and trying to figure out how to borrow money from your family to invest in real estate? How's that work? The government and the school gave you some money and lent you some money at favorable rates knowing that your family couldn't contribute to your education. How is it that they have money to lend you to start investing? You see, I went through college receiving plenty of financial aid and my parents weren't able to contribute anything to my education either, but they sure as s*** didn't have money to put toward my own future investment plans.

The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The second best time to plant a tree is now. Or something like that. I bought my first investment property when I was 16 years old. It had all kinds of unexpected turns and twist but I have zero regret from it. Although I was not mentally mature or "ready" for what lay ahead I got it done.6 years later me and my brother sold it and pocketed $25,000 a piece. I say this to suggest that your age won't matter nor your finances as long as you take on a property that is truly a good deal with profit potential. The deal doesn't care about your age. If you buy a good deal at 16 or 45 then it will be good. If you buy a bad deal, regardless of age, it is going to suck. Fear not only tells you what to do, but when to do it.

Whats up man, I'm 24. DO NOT WAIT. Taking action will be the true way of gaining tremendous experience. ATTEND your local REI meetings. Read and gain knowledge on your school breaks. Holiday breaks, Spring Breaks, Any days that are consider a "break". Grab a mentor. Once they see your work ethic, they will be more than happy to help you out. Shit, I'm down to help you if you need it. Just DM me. Start with wholesaling, which is the usual and see if you like it. I am 24 and I have a real estate team to help me wholesale SFHs and wanted to get into the Multifamily space. Wanting to do so, I created a team and we are sending properties ranging from 50+units all the way to 100+ to other syndicators for a fee. I soon will be helping one of my buyers raise capital for an apartment deal once finalized and under contract. You can do this!! Get going and don't look back my friend. ;)

@Stevie Delacruz You're never too young to start investing. In fact if you wait, you'll be kicking yourself about all the opportunities and growth potential you missed. Just do it.

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Updated over 6 years ago on 09/01/2018. Most recent reply

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Stevie DelacruzPoster

San Diego, CA

Starting Out

Investing too young?

Stevie DelacruzPoster

San Diego, CA

Posted August 27, 2018 21:10

Hey everyone! I’ve recently been stumped on this specific concept and hoping to get a few pointers from some successors. I absolutely love the idea of buy and hold real estate investment properties but I am a 19 year old college student with low finance. I just need to know if it’s possible considering my circumstances or if I should wait. I also just started reading “investing in real estate with no and low money down” by bigget pockets and have finished other books on real estate. Very excited to continue. Should I wait? Is it not my time? Is it still possible for me to create a niche through strategy? All and any help would be greatly appreciated! -stevie

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Nate Burgher

Olympia, WA

Nate Burgher

Olympia, WA

Replied August 27, 2018 21:23

Hey @Stevie Delacruz, welcome!

Good on you for thinking, studying and reading about REI so young, nice work!

I don't think age is ever a factor, but knowledge and self control will dictate everything. If I were in your shoes, I'd save up as much as I can until I have around 3.5% of whatever it is I'm looking to buy (I'd suggest a duplex, or a house you can rent to a bunch of buddies and you live in one room). In my area, I could get a starter 3 Bed home for $235k and rent out each room for $750. My mortgage (Principal & Interest) + Taxes & Insurance (Read "PITI") would be about $1500 with 3.5% down, so I'd be living rent free. Roughly the same numbers for a duplex, one side pays roughly the PITI and the other side you live in for super cheap or free, maybe even get paid to live there!

Keep on reading and studying. Save money. Stay Curious.

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