How, Where and What investment vehicle did you begin with?? and Y

[Shawn Ackerman]

Hey Guys, I'm Shawn, A real estate investor from NYC.  I began my investing career in the buy and hold arena.  The reason why I began with buy and hold was mainly for cash flow.  I started 700+ miles away from NY in the Milwaukee WI market.  The reason why I began there was the Mid-West  had all of the metrics that I was looking for i.e.. price to rent ratio, landlord friendly laws on the books and low cost of entry. 

I started as many others may have by using balance transfer credit cards.  To the tune of $130K.  Not a suggested strategy by any means but just how I got start up capital to begin.  I have a solid portfolio of singles, duplexes and even my first 11-Unit picked up this year.  I began about 5 or so years ago. 

I'm interested to begin a discussion on where others began and why?  Thank you for contributing to this post and let's engage/encourage one another!!!