New Member from Westbrook, Maine

[Drew MacDermott]

Happy New Year, everyone! I found BiggerPockets by chance, actually, after reading many other forums and investing websites. Over the past week, BP has been my only source for information and I have been digesting the blogs, podcasts and tips. More about me...

My friend and I first bought a SFH after my sophomore year of college (2007) after debating on renting or in fact buying a place to rent out in the future. Found a small SFH in Old Town, ME (University of Maine in Orono is next town over) being sold by a friend/co-worker at the time and eventually purchased for $68k. What started out as moving one interior door five feet before moving in evolved into gutting the entire house over the summer. Rehab costs were about 12k. We lived in the house for 2-3 years and have been renting it out since graduating college. Had I learned about BP back then, we would have never bought this house but I cherish the knowledge and experience I gained from it all!

I currently live in Southern Maine and work as a civil engineer. I plan on moving within the next 6-9 months, so my goals as a reborn investor are small right now. I want to buy a duplex to live rent free soon after moving and purchase several multi-units within 2-3 years. I have an idea of how to get started, but getting the business plan and sellers lined up seems like a much larger task. The "analysis paralysis" came early, but with a great family here at BP I'm sure it will be a smooth process once I dive in.

Thanks for a great website with like-minded individuals to come together! Feel free to contact me anytime.