New investor looking to network from Northern VA

[Eric Ly]

Hello, all. My name is Eric and I have been a lurker for the past year or so. I am from Northern Virginia, a high cost of living area. I am a full time Physician, a Pediatric sub-specialist, and love my work. I read the White Coat Investor and Rich Dad, Poor Dad and have fallen down the Real Estate Rabbit Hole!

I have been gradually reading through the BiggerPockets library of published books, listening to the podcasts, lurking the forums, analyzing properties using the calculators for about a year or so. I am most interested in buy-and-hold rentals, but I am amenable to all strategies.

I am looking to network with: other investors in my general area, contractors, sub-contractors, and generally like-minded people. I am also looking to get in touch with some Part-time Real Estate agents. I have started a Virginia real estate pre-licensure course and am considering getting fully licensed to either facilitate my own deals, or possibly have some part-time work on the side. 

I always want to practice medicine, so I never intend on going full-time into real estate. I'd like to network with those who are in a similar circumstance where they love their full-time career and are a part-time real estate agent, or have their own license to facilitate their investing. Which brokerages have you chosen? There are some virtual brokerages that have caught my eye, but I'm not totally sure what the best route is. Are there any other low-cost brokerages I should be considering? Suggestions on mentors?

Thanks all and take care!

Eric

[Russell Brazil]

You are in one of the most competitive markets in the country. Tons of properties are being traded off market between the top agents. Deals are getting done on the market by reputation. 

I was a part time agent for 10 years. There is almost no value in being a part time agent unless you plan to go full time at some point. It is thousands of dollars a year to maintain your license, and youre going to be competing when writing offers against some of the best agents in the country.