Looking to start our investing future!

[Aaron Rowland]

My wife and I are trying to figure out the best first steps to building our investment inventory to become independent of "careers". While we both have full time careers and have a lot of time tied into them on a daily basis, I'm more than willing to look at a flip to start building. Or should we start with a SFH, duplex or likewise? My main goal at this point is to enter the game with as little of my own capital as possible. I've listened to the podcasts and seen multiple TikTok videos talking about how easy this is....We're down for changing our futures but what is the first step?!?!?

We’re in the Bellefonte, PA, area and willing to invest in Bellefonte, State College, Altoona, Williamsport, and surrounding area! Any help would be greatly appreciated! 

[Matt Crusinberry]

@Aaron Rowland, I would suggest picking up a couple of Brandon Turner's books (or the many others on BP), and continue learning. I would also recommend that you attend a local investor's meetup, and start to learn your market. Learn what a good deal looks like, and why, and learn how to run numbers.

You mentioned that you want to enter with little of your own capital. Is there a reason for this? Do you not possess the capital or the funds, should things go wrong or unexpected (things to consider)? I believe you'll need 3 things to do a deal: capital, knowledge, and time (i.e. effort, or sweat equity). The capital can be from the seller, private funds (friends, family, or hard money lenders, etc...), institutional funds (banks), partnering (using OPM), etc... Since you're just starting off, I would say your knowledge isn't exactly giving too many people a warm and fuzzy; which is why continuing learning is super important. Now, if you have tons of time, and you have a great understanding of construction and willing to put in that sweat equity, you'll be starting with a leg up. You may also want to consider "House Hacking." 

I hope this doesn't deter you, as my intentions are to help point you in the right direction. Please feel free to reach out, and good luck as you begin your real estate journey!