New Member from California (bay area)

[Sam Magi]

Hi everyone!!!

My name is Sam and I am so glad to have found this forum. I am in contract to buy a 4 plex unit in California. This is my first investment property and want to learn more about investing and managing 4 plex units. I am 37 yrs old and live an hour east of San Francisco. I work as a credit counselor in the bay area and help folks with credit/debt issues.
thank you to all for the valuable tips and to the moderator of this site

[J. Martin]

Hi @Sam Magi ! And welcome to BP.

I live in my owner-occupied 4plex in Richmond, not too far from your locale. After you get everything rented out (to good tenants!! so key!! and do your research first!!), you should find the landlording fairly easy. Are you going to live on-site? Concord's nice. Can you get any cash flow out there?

My best advice to someone new is to get a good team of people you can trust, especially a trustworthy, reliable handyman. It will make your life SO much easier and you can learn alot in the process. Especially important if you're buying more. I'd hook you up with mine, but I don't think he's going to want to drive out to Concord too often..! Another piece of advice since you're in contract on your first fourplex. It's not unusual to see $50K+ on Section1 of the termite report for an older building (although Concord tends to be newer than Oakland or other areas). Keep that in mind when you're looking at prices, and don't let it scare you off. The water's warm! Jump in! Lots of good advice on this site. Read the beginner's guide, and good luck on your investing!

FYI, there's a meetup of BP member in SF at Rogue Brewery on 11/18 @ 6:30PM. Come out and say hi!