Mentorship for Fix & Flips

[Jesse Gaston]

Hello, my name is Jesse and I was wondering if there is anyone in the Port Saint Lucie area that could mentor me in fix and flips. I’m studying for my General Contractor license and would like to take my knowledge into the real estate investing field. Thanks!!

[Ryan Cleary]

Hey Jesse!

Welcome to BP. I wouldnt suggest looking for a mentor just yet. The Coastal Florida REIA meets in PSL. You will find a bunch of people here who regularly flip homes. Surrounding yourself with people who are flipping will possibly be a better way. Feel free to shoot me a message, I'll gladly give you more info!

[Jonathan Klemm]

Congrats @Jesse Gaston on your first BP post!  Takes a lot to put yourself out there!  

Double congrats for taking the exam for your general contractor license...what exactly is the test like?  Here in Chicago / Illinois you just need to have a pulse, insurance, and pay the fee to get your GC license which is honestly a bit sad to me.

Personally, I have found many mentors through local meetup groups and connecting 1:1 with people that I have met off BP.  I also found that my mentors came when I wasn't explicitly looking for them.  I am sure there is a public list of existing GCs that you might be able to look up as well.

[Jesse Gaston]

So I actually haven’t take my GC license test, I’m in the process of studying for it. In Florida they test you off of 19 different books and 3 separate test. I’m also in the hurricane zone so the codes are super strict here. Thanks for the advice and reaching out to me.

[Jonathan Klemm]

Wow 19 different books and 3 SEPARATE TEST!!

Is there a course that people typically take prior to taking the exam?  I know here in Chicago to get your real estate license you are required to take 75-hour course.

I couldn't imagine having to cover the hurricane topic!  Also, I would assume there is some flood questions as well.

[Jesse Gaston]

Yes!! I’m going through a Florida based company that specializes in preparing you for different types of Florida licensing, Real estate, CAM, building inspectors, etc…

[David Niles]

Quote from @Jonathan Klemm: Here in Chicago / Illinois you just need to have a pulse, insurance, and pay the fee to get your GC license which is honestly a bit sad to me.

I did most of my contracting in Western New York and surprising for NY which is a fee and license crazy state, they have no central licensing either, it was all done by town or local city. 

Now living in Florida, its totally different. Florida went from sort of one extreme to another, the wild west of anything goes to pretty tough. I believe its all the natural disasters down here and low lifes ripping people off that drove them to the current laws.  Not only is the test tough, but its a FELONY to do work without your license. 

[Basit Siddiqi]

i got an email the other day from biggerpockets mentioning that at BP Con 2024, there will be many experienced flippers attending and providing workshops. It might be a great place to network and get a mentor.

[Alexandra Hughes Pailet]

Quote from @Basit Siddiqi:

i got an email the other day from biggerpockets mentioning that at BP Con 2024, there will be many experienced flippers attending and providing workshops. It might be a great place to network and get a mentor.

 Hi Basit! I'm happy to hear you are considering BPCON. I'm not sure if you've been to a past BiggerPockets Conference, but there's really nothing compared to being in the room with so many like-minded folks. We refer to it as the "conference high" when you're just SO pumped about real estate by being in the same place with investors at all levels, and you can't help but be inspired. 

BPCON is a GREAT place to network and find a mentor! There are endless networking opportunities, from informal run-ins waiting for your morning coffee to structured networking sessions on Sunday afternoon and Monday morning. Plus, there's lots of fun to be had outside of the education, and we have 3 events planned for everyone to attend while on-site! (cue the fire dancers) 

Check out more at biggerpockets.com/conference

Have specific questions? Ask me directly! [email protected]

Want to come but need a roomie? Check out this forum to learn how you can "hotel hack" (the best bang for your buck!): https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/904/topics/1180712-find...

[Jonathan Klemm]

Felony to do work without a license!! wow @David Niles that's extreme, but I am sure there were nasty lawsuits that pushed the state in that type of extreme direction.

I wish Chicago and Illinois would get a bit more regulated if I am being honest.