Getting ready for my first deal

[Grant Hilliard]

Hello,

My name is Grant Hilliard, I'm 24 years old and I currently work  in Sales on commission. I hear you have to wait 2 years on a comission job finance real estate. I live in Baton Rouge, the Capitol of Louisiana and my idea was to purchase a 4-plex  that I can have some cashflow and live for free. Apart from  analyzing a deal and making sure that  it will cashflow before i buy it. I'm trying to get the bigger picture in my head as to what the next move is after i get the property rented out and cash flowing. Here are some of my questions.

1. Do Banks and lenders look  at cashflow from properties as "income" that you can use to apply for more house loans.

2.How can you finance properties without income from a  job.

3. Is it smarter to do a 1049 exchange into a higher cash flowing properties instead of searching to add another multifamily property.

4.Whats your advice for me to ensure my success in real estate investing??! I'm Currently making  on average 7000 gross monthly income and plan to put 30,000 down. Right now i'm looking at properties that at around 300-400k.

Trying to get my mindset in the right place so i can succeed to in real estate investing!

Any feedback appreciated it! 

[Alecia Loveless]

@Grant Hilliard Hi Grant. I bought a SFH and a duplex that needed renovation that I'm now house hacking first, although I've dabbled in real estate for 24 years. I then bought my first 4 plex, which if you get a nice one can be a great starter property to learn from.

Yes, banks will count the income from the leases as money toward your DTI ratio, at least a part of it. So in my opinion at least in my area I'd prefer to purchase an occupied building as opposed to an empty one. Most of our tenants in nicer buildings are pretty reliable so if you don't have reliable tenants that pay well and on time in your area you might want vacant buildings.

I do believe you’ll need 2 years worth of 1099s to qualify for the mortgage so in the meantime read those suggested books, set some goals for yourself about where you want to be in 3 years, 5 years, 10 years. Another good book is Brandon Turner’s newest one on Small Multifamily Apartment Buildings. Save up more down payment money and use the BP calculator to keep analyzing deals and get to know the local neighborhoods you might want to invest in. Read the local newspaper for tips on revitalization and projects and growth coming into the city. Learn, grow your knowledge.