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Updated almost 2 years ago on . Most recent reply
![Brendan S.'s profile image](https://bpimg.biggerpockets.com/no_overlay/uploads/social_user/user_avatar/2165764/1680127112-avatar-brendans74.jpg?twic=v1/output=image/crop=2448x2448@0x0/cover=128x128&v=2)
Hello BP. Long time lurker, first time poster
Hello everyone,
After lurking for a while I've decided to post and say hello. Now that my husband is done with grad school and earning a bit more I've started to listen to the podcasts and read experiences with more interest now that purchasing an income property is (potentially) possible. We're already condo owners in the Bay Area, which is no small feat. I have family in El Paso and Binghamton and visit frequently so if anyone has advice and or wants to burn brain cells in the East Bay, Bingo or El Chuco, let me know. Cheers.
Brendan
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![Noah Bacon's profile image](https://bpimg.biggerpockets.com/no_overlay/uploads/social_user/user_avatar/2022513/1673318838-avatar-noahb98.jpg?twic=v1/output=image/crop=1197x1197@1186x348/cover=128x128&v=2)
Hey Brendan! Welcome to BiggerPockets and thanks for joining!
Here are some tips for networking and making the most of your account.
1) I'd fill out your profile fully before you do anything else! As that will at least help folks that you reach out to know that you are a real person, with a picture and professional bio. Particularly be sure to include your goals for real estate investing so that folks can help you.
2) Go to the Search bar, and look for some local members in your area! Reach out to a few of the folks, perhaps those with hundreds or thousands of posts in this forum, and connect. You can do that here.
3) Check out some of the local meetups that you can find in this forum! There are so many so be sure to filter by your location.
4) Review this comprehensive 64 page deck on the state of the 2023 housing market (in your resource page as a member of BiggerPockets!) for real estate investors put together by Dave Meyer and available for all BiggerPockets members.
5) Consider meeting with a few agents in your area even if you are just getting started! An investor friendly agent can do all sorts of helpful things, like setting you up with a search for properties or connecting you with folks who have recently done deals like the ones you want to do.
6) Consider analyzing a deal or two in your local market, just for practice, with a free use of our Rental Property Calculator (or other calculators).
Hope this helps! Please reach out with any questions you may have!