Newbie starting down the path

[Michael Kellogg]

Hey all! My name is Mike. A couple things about me. I'm a software engineer (frontend web dev) working remotely in Berryville VA. I have a wife and two kids and I've recently gotten more interested in real estate as an investment. My goal is to own an apartment complex in the next 5 years. It's all very exciting but I'm trying to temper my excitement with reality…just like in the world of programming, I've seen countless numbers of people get excited about programming only to quit soon after once they realize the road is LONG. Since I've made that parallel I'm trying to find ways to not kill the "honeymoon period" but also set myself to survive and begin learning the skills I need to evaluate deals while I save up cash.

here are my main concerns:
1. I’m in the middle of nowhere. dc is like one and a half hours away. so it feels like there isn’t a lot for sale in multi family near me

2. I don’t have the time or autonomy to travel to see properties physically with the two kids 2 and under. Been looking at LoopNet and Crexi.

3. There’s not really any real estate investment groups near me that I can find 

Anyway, glad to be here and we will see where this goes

[Jamie O'Connell]

Yes it depends on the area and the monthly rentals. For instance, I rent primarily to section 8. Pay a few hundred above fair market rent for each unit so it adds up. But have to find right area. Dc, Nova, Southern MD are all outpaced. Possibly West VA, Kentucky if you're close might be worth a look. Also Ohio is a gold mine if your not to far. I find most mine on Zillow.

Sadly it is a bit of a pain the first few properties. Normally once you get 3 or 4 properties under your belt things seem to open up a bit easier. It sucks to start but thats what ive found so far.