Interested in flipping houses and looking for connections

[Maher Ghazaleh]

Hey everyone,

This is Maher, gearing up for a big adventure! I'm planning to move to the US from abroad this year and am on the lookout for some amazing people to join my journey.

I'd like to connect with investor-friendly experts such as wholesalers, agents, contractors, and money lenders, or anyone who could be a potential business partner. My initial plan is to flip houses in Northern Virginia. Thus, I've been conducting a lot of analysis and preparing my action plan accordingly. While I'm new to the States, I'm not new to Real Estate Investment (REI). I've got a treasure trove of experience from my time in Dubai and have enjoyed great success. Sure, the market dynamics there are as different from the US as apples are from oranges, but hey, they're both fruit, right? I'm doing my homework, setting my targets, and I'm ready to dive in.

I'm more than happy to connect with like-minded people in Northern Virginia. I'd also appreciate any tips from expert house flippers on how to penetrate the market.

I've always been blessed with meeting the right people and partners in my previous journeys and am looking forward to making that happen again.

Thank you all in advance! 

[River Sava]

Hi Maher, 

Welcome to BP! While I have not spent time in Dubai, I am very familiar with NOVA. I would love to connect and chat more about what you are looking to jump into in 2024. 

[Jack Seiden]

Quote from @Maher Ghazaleh:

Hey everyone,

This is Maher, gearing up for a big adventure! I'm planning to move to the US from abroad this year and am on the lookout for some amazing people to join my journey.

I'd like to connect with investor-friendly experts such as wholesalers, agents, contractors, and money lenders, or anyone who could be a potential business partner. My initial plan is to flip houses in Northern Virginia. Thus, I've been conducting a lot of analysis and preparing my action plan accordingly. While I'm new to the States, I'm not new to Real Estate Investment (REI). I've got a treasure trove of experience from my time in Dubai and have enjoyed great success. Sure, the market dynamics there are as different from the US as apples are from oranges, but hey, they're both fruit, right? I'm doing my homework, setting my targets, and I'm ready to dive in.

I'm more than happy to connect with like-minded people in Northern Virginia. I'd also appreciate any tips from expert house flippers on how to penetrate the market.

I've always been blessed with meeting the right people and partners in my previous journeys and am looking forward to making that happen again.

Thank you all in advance! 

I’ve flipped in the dc area for years, right now there is just money & in the vast majority of cases there is high likelihood of losing money, right now the best investments in the area imo are buy & hold, I’ve even gone full circle and while I really liked value add for most of the last decade I think in a lot of ways new construction especially in more affordable markets (I’m personally a big fan of the eastern shore market) is a much better way to make money long term than flipping and brrring while I know they are sexy & certainly you getting a huge paycheck is great, there just isn’t any money in it right now, especially in nova.

[Russell Brazil]

Quote from @Maher Ghazaleh:

Hey everyone,

This is Maher, gearing up for a big adventure! I'm planning to move to the US from abroad this year and am on the lookout for some amazing people to join my journey.

I'd like to connect with investor-friendly experts such as wholesalers, agents, contractors, and money lenders, or anyone who could be a potential business partner. My initial plan is to flip houses in Northern Virginia. Thus, I've been conducting a lot of analysis and preparing my action plan accordingly. While I'm new to the States, I'm not new to Real Estate Investment (REI). I've got a treasure trove of experience from my time in Dubai and have enjoyed great success. Sure, the market dynamics there are as different from the US as apples are from oranges, but hey, they're both fruit, right? I'm doing my homework, setting my targets, and I'm ready to dive in.

I'm more than happy to connect with like-minded people in Northern Virginia. I'd also appreciate any tips from expert house flippers on how to penetrate the market.

I've always been blessed with meeting the right people and partners in my previous journeys and am looking forward to making that happen again.

Thank you all in advance! 

 Most of the flips in NOVA will be in Arlington and Alexandria. Not impossible in other locations, but certainly less in areas like Fairfax. 

[Julio Gonzalez]

Welcome, Maher! Connecting with investor-friendly experts and potential business partners is a smart move, and the Northern Virginia real estate community is sure to benefit from your expertise.

Best of luck investing! 

-Julio

[Alex Failaev]

We are on the Eastern shore of Maryland as well :) We run the local REI (Delmarva REI) and have meetups once a month in Salisbury MD. If you want to learn more on the Eastern shore market, then you can just search the event on bigger pockets for more details.

[Maher Ghazaleh]

Quote from @River Sava:

Hi Maher, 

Welcome to BP! While I have not spent time in Dubai, I am very familiar with NOVA. I would love to connect and chat more about what you are looking to jump into in 2024. 

 Hi River, 

Absolutely! I'll dm you so that we can talk and discuss further.  

[Maher Ghazaleh]

Quote from @Jack Seiden:

Quote from @Maher Ghazaleh:

Hey everyone,

This is Maher, gearing up for a big adventure! I'm planning to move to the US from abroad this year and am on the lookout for some amazing people to join my journey.

I'd like to connect with investor-friendly experts such as wholesalers, agents, contractors, and money lenders, or anyone who could be a potential business partner. My initial plan is to flip houses in Northern Virginia. Thus, I've been conducting a lot of analysis and preparing my action plan accordingly. While I'm new to the States, I'm not new to Real Estate Investment (REI). I've got a treasure trove of experience from my time in Dubai and have enjoyed great success. Sure, the market dynamics there are as different from the US as apples are from oranges, but hey, they're both fruit, right? I'm doing my homework, setting my targets, and I'm ready to dive in.

I'm more than happy to connect with like-minded people in Northern Virginia. I'd also appreciate any tips from expert house flippers on how to penetrate the market.

I've always been blessed with meeting the right people and partners in my previous journeys and am looking forward to making that happen again.

Thank you all in advance! 

I’ve flipped in the dc area for years, right now there is just money & in the vast majority of cases there is high likelihood of losing money, right now the best investments in the area imo are buy & hold, I’ve even gone full circle and while I really liked value add for most of the last decade I think in a lot of ways new construction especially in more affordable markets (I’m personally a big fan of the eastern shore market) is a much better way to make money long term than flipping and brrring while I know they are sexy & certainly you getting a huge paycheck is great, there just isn’t any money in it right now, especially in nova.

 Hey Jack, 

Thank you for sharing your thoughts! What about places further to the south like Stafford and Prince William? Will the chances be better?

[Maher Ghazaleh]

Quote from @Russell Brazil:

Quote from @Maher Ghazaleh:

Hey everyone,

This is Maher, gearing up for a big adventure! I'm planning to move to the US from abroad this year and am on the lookout for some amazing people to join my journey.

I'd like to connect with investor-friendly experts such as wholesalers, agents, contractors, and money lenders, or anyone who could be a potential business partner. My initial plan is to flip houses in Northern Virginia. Thus, I've been conducting a lot of analysis and preparing my action plan accordingly. While I'm new to the States, I'm not new to Real Estate Investment (REI). I've got a treasure trove of experience from my time in Dubai and have enjoyed great success. Sure, the market dynamics there are as different from the US as apples are from oranges, but hey, they're both fruit, right? I'm doing my homework, setting my targets, and I'm ready to dive in.

I'm more than happy to connect with like-minded people in Northern Virginia. I'd also appreciate any tips from expert house flippers on how to penetrate the market.

I've always been blessed with meeting the right people and partners in my previous journeys and am looking forward to making that happen again.

Thank you all in advance! 

 Most of the flips in NOVA will be in Arlington and Alexandria. Not impossible in other locations, but certainly less in areas like Fairfax. 

 Thanks Russel! is it the same for places like Loudoun and Prince William counties? 

[Maher Ghazaleh]

Quote from @Julio Gonzalez:

Welcome, Maher! Connecting with investor-friendly experts and potential business partners is a smart move, and the Northern Virginia real estate community is sure to benefit from your expertise.

Best of luck investing! 

-Julio

 Thanks Julio and appreciate the kind words! What would you say is the most important skill that i have to learn in order to succeed? 

[Jack Seiden]

Quote from @Maher Ghazaleh:

Quote from @Jack Seiden:

Quote from @Maher Ghazaleh:

Hey everyone,

This is Maher, gearing up for a big adventure! I'm planning to move to the US from abroad this year and am on the lookout for some amazing people to join my journey.

I'd like to connect with investor-friendly experts such as wholesalers, agents, contractors, and money lenders, or anyone who could be a potential business partner. My initial plan is to flip houses in Northern Virginia. Thus, I've been conducting a lot of analysis and preparing my action plan accordingly. While I'm new to the States, I'm not new to Real Estate Investment (REI). I've got a treasure trove of experience from my time in Dubai and have enjoyed great success. Sure, the market dynamics there are as different from the US as apples are from oranges, but hey, they're both fruit, right? I'm doing my homework, setting my targets, and I'm ready to dive in.

I'm more than happy to connect with like-minded people in Northern Virginia. I'd also appreciate any tips from expert house flippers on how to penetrate the market.

I've always been blessed with meeting the right people and partners in my previous journeys and am looking forward to making that happen again.

Thank you all in advance! 

I’ve flipped in the dc area for years, right now there is just money & in the vast majority of cases there is high likelihood of losing money, right now the best investments in the area imo are buy & hold, I’ve even gone full circle and while I really liked value add for most of the last decade I think in a lot of ways new construction especially in more affordable markets (I’m personally a big fan of the eastern shore market) is a much better way to make money long term than flipping and brrring while I know they are sexy & certainly you getting a huge paycheck is great, there just isn’t any money in it right now, especially in nova.

 Hey Jack, 

Thank you for sharing your thoughts! What about places further to the south like Stafford and Prince William? Will the chances be better?

Honestly no, margins generally get even worse at lower price points, not trying to be a dream killer, I just know so many agents just make crap up or just haven’t flipped so they don’t understand the numbers involved, it’s near impossible to find anything I do a few hours a day everyday in 15 counties looking for deals on the mls, through wholesalers etc & I haven’t bought anything in over two years. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t invest in real estate, just go where the market takes you, which right now is buy & hold turn key imo. Eventually I assume the market will shift back to value add being a thing it’s just not atm.

[Maher Ghazaleh]

Quote from @Alex Failaev:

We are on the Eastern shore of Maryland as well :) We run the local REI (Delmarva REI) and have meetups once a month in Salisbury MD. If you want to learn more on the Eastern shore market, then you can just search the event on bigger pockets for more details.

 That will actually be great! Do you have a meetup group as well or events are just posted here? I will be flying in couple of weeks and I can attend for sure if it's around the same time. 

[Jack Seiden]

Quote from @Maher Ghazaleh:

Quote from @Alex Failaev:

We are on the Eastern shore of Maryland as well :) We run the local REI (Delmarva REI) and have meetups once a month in Salisbury MD. If you want to learn more on the Eastern shore market, then you can just search the event on bigger pockets for more details.

 That will actually be great! Do you have a meetup group as well or events are just posted here? I will be flying in couple of weeks and I can attend for sure if it's around the same time. 

I should also mention I have an event in Columbia coming up, it’s posted in events and happenings.

[Julio Gonzalez]

Quote from @Maher Ghazaleh:

Quote from @Julio Gonzalez:

Welcome, Maher! Connecting with investor-friendly experts and potential business partners is a smart move, and the Northern Virginia real estate community is sure to benefit from your expertise.

Best of luck investing! 

-Julio

 Thanks Julio and appreciate the kind words! What would you say is the most important skill that i have to learn in order to succeed? 

 I would say figuring out how much research to do to get you to a level of comfort to be able to act but without creating analysis paralysis. It's a very fine balance but crucial to your success!

[Maher Ghazaleh]

Quote from @Julio Gonzalez:

Quote from @Maher Ghazaleh:

Quote from @Julio Gonzalez:

Welcome, Maher! Connecting with investor-friendly experts and potential business partners is a smart move, and the Northern Virginia real estate community is sure to benefit from your expertise.

Best of luck investing! 

-Julio

 Thanks Julio and appreciate the kind words! What would you say is the most important skill that i have to learn in order to succeed? 

 I would say figuring out how much research to do to get you to a level of comfort to be able to act but without creating analysis paralysis. It's a very fine balance but crucial to your success!

 That indeed is a valuable and a smart tip. I'll make sure to keep that in mind 👍

[Jasmin Silva]

Welcome! feel free to connect Maher

[Maher Ghazaleh]

Quote from @Aditya S.:

Welcome to the area Maher! I am an agent who specializes in commission rebates for my clients which really helps their investment numbers, so I find myself working with many investors like yourself. 

If you are looking for a place to move yourself before beginning investing, I think you have made a great choice in choosing Virginia over Maryland or DC in terms of the local metro area. You will find the highest number of Arab restaurants/grocers/entertainment here and a great and thriving community.

Hey Aditya and nice to meet you! I'm more than happy to catch up with local experts like yourself. I'm certain that there are many ways for us to collaborate so let's have a chat and discuss how can we work together. 

[Aditya S.]

Quote from @Maher Ghazaleh:

Quote from @Aditya S.:

Welcome to the area Maher! I am an agent who specializes in commission rebates for my clients which really helps their investment numbers, so I find myself working with many investors like yourself. 

If you are looking for a place to move yourself before beginning investing, I think you have made a great choice in choosing Virginia over Maryland or DC in terms of the local metro area. You will find the highest number of Arab restaurants/grocers/entertainment here and a great and thriving community.

Hey Aditya and nice to meet you! I'm more than happy to catch up with local experts like yourself. I'm certain that there are many ways for us to collaborate so let's have a chat and discuss how can we work together. 

 Looking forward to it!

[Maher Ghazaleh]

Quote from @Maher Ghazaleh:

Hey everyone,

This is Maher, gearing up for a big adventure! I'm planning to move to the US from abroad this year and am on the lookout for some amazing people to join my journey.

I'd like to connect with investor-friendly experts such as wholesalers, agents, contractors, and money lenders, or anyone who could be a potential business partner. My initial plan is to flip houses in Northern Virginia. Thus, I've been conducting a lot of analysis and preparing my action plan accordingly. While I'm new to the States, I'm not new to Real Estate Investment (REI). I've got a treasure trove of experience from my time in Dubai and have enjoyed great success. Sure, the market dynamics there are as different from the US as apples are from oranges, but hey, they're both fruit, right? I'm doing my homework, setting my targets, and I'm ready to dive in.

I'm more than happy to connect with like-minded people in Northern Virginia. I'd also appreciate any tips from expert house flippers on how to penetrate the market.

I've always been blessed with meeting the right people and partners in my previous journeys and am looking forward to making that happen again.

Thank you all in advance! 

Update:

Hey Everyone!

I was just looking at this post of mine from January and realized that I've come along way since then. I think an update now is great to share in order to get your support and hopefully inspire like minded people.

Since my last post, I've been working none stop on expanding my knowledge, network and resources. The outcome couldn't have been any better so far. I've taken few trips back to Virginia in past few month and I met tens of people in the REI field. So far, I've managed to build a really good team to support my business from agents and contractors to wholesalers and lenders. I've even made an offer on a distressed property in my last trip and had a great experience negotiating and trying to workout a deal. Above all, I met some great like minded people who genuinely cared for my success. I can say now that I have friends and not only business partners.

I'm still learning and developing as I go but here are some important insights that I can share with people that are just starting up:

- When you hear that REI is overwhelming to start, believe that. However, it's just a phase and it'll pass. Stay focused on learning, developing, networking and you'll eventually find an answer for each and every question you have.

- When starting out, keep in mind that everyone speaks based on their experiences and mindsets. Your job is to filter out the information you get from people and keep the productive ones on your way. Don't be discouraged if you see and meet negativity. Pessimistic minds are the ones who ignore opportunities and you don't wanna be on that team.

- Things will take time, effort and hardwork to mature. Every meeting you attend and every person you meet will be another building block in your success story. Don't rush things and enjoy the ride :)

My ride is still ongoing and i'm back in Dubai now to settle everything before moving back in September. I hope this can inspire some people and provide any kind of help. I'm more than happy to connect with anyone and anybody who want's to partner, share experience or just chat. This journey never ends :)

Yall have a great day!