I can't say enough how great all those posting their experiences and expertise are here. So first off thank you!

Background --- I've been in IT since 96. After a few too many special "lunch meeting" where the company announces,"everyone in this room still has a job, everyone else..." sort of speeches. Left the Fortune 10 companies for a smaller property management company. They had usually over 32 apartment buildings and 1000s of units to manage. It opened my eyes quite a bit to say the least on the whole business.

Experience --- Read every book under the sun on real estate investing. Talked with all the property manages and maintenance folks every chance I could while at my old company. (And still do sometimes) From section 8 wait lists to the $250 for a parking spot units I learned a lot just listening to them all. After a year, pulled the trigger. Purchased a SFR with savings and followed up by using the FHA program for a duplex I live in now.

Went in for some sweet equity and took half the walls down to the lathes on one side (old plaster home) and like many... got a crash course in DIY. First thing I learned.

"It's not as easy as it looks on TV."

From tree roots flooding basements, glow plug and a motor replacement on one furnace only to turn around and have to replace the other furnace completely. It was an eye opening crash course to say the least.

Why I'm Here --- Being a "small fish" in Indy seems a lot less "it's just me" reading through advice here on BP by all of you. Looking for a local good credit union contact who knows investing might be nice to find here. All those things and hopefully one day to start helping others coming here for help, advice or maybe just a good laugh at the world real estate investors live in. ;)

Saylors