How did you start in real estate investing

[Craig Ancier]

Hi. 

I'm new to real estate investing and trying to learn how to get my feet wet and get into this field.

I feel like from everything I read, I am not quite in the position to be as flexible with securing my first investment property (ie, married with some children, not wanting/interested in moving, etc).

Would like to hear how people did come up with the savings/money down to use to purchase your first investment property. 

[Andrew Frowiss]

Hi @Craig Ancier great question! I don't have a rental property, but I'm trying to get my first at the moment. This isn't the first deal I've done though. When I got into real estate I was an Agent with no experience, and I went right into wholesaling. I knew it was a way I could do deals with little to no money out of pocket so I got really good at finding motivated Sellers and getting deals under contract at good prices. I had some connections I made through networking at Investor meet ups who wanted deals, and had the funds to invest. When I found deals they would partner with me and either buy the deal from me and pay me a flat fee, or we would partner on the deal and I would see it through till the end. When I approached motivated Sellers I would give them the option of selling the home to me, or I could put it up on the market and get them full retail price for their home. It was nice to be able to have another option besides just buying the property with cash. 

I ended up starting a property management company since most of my clients were investors buying rental properties in Austin, and now I primarily help other investors purchase their investments, and manage them. 

I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors!