**Hello from new BP Team Member in Austin**

[Rudy Sanchez]

Hello to all the BP Team Members out there. My name is Rudy Sanchez and I'm a born and raised Austinite of 29yrs .I'm fortunate enough to have a full time job in the tech sector that provides me with the necessary benefits that I need. Without a doubt the biggest highlight of my occupation is I'm off 3-4 days straight a week so it also provides me with ample time to study up on BP and prepare myself for that first deal. Perhaps a fixer upper, duplex, SFR or maybe wholesaling?

I'm privileged to have a wonderful woman in my life of which we've been together 5years. She's been so supportive of me and my various endeavors throughout these years. I would love nothing more than to be able to support her as she goes back to school to pursue her Nurse Practitioner license. And prepare ourselves for financial freedom one day. Back in 2011 she purchased a nice single family home just outside of Austin in Buda in an up and coming neighborhood. As of now the new home prices are up considerably from when we first moved in. So I'd like to think she has definitely seen some appreciation on her investment. Of which we've thrown around the idea of selling or possibly even renting.

Without a doubt the single biggest change in my life was on October 19, 2013. My parents lost their home and everything in it including their beloved 3 dogs to a fire. I can tell you there is nothing worse than hearing your mother and father in agony and feeling so helpless. I wish I could of just went out and bought them a new home and done whatever it was to relieve the pain the fire had caused, but I couldn't. All I could do was buy them clothes and the essentials. I felt worthless.....I mean these we're the people who brought me in this world, clothed me, fed me, and made me into who I am today. And I couldn't even put a roof over there head. It was time to rearrange my financial outlook on life.

Fortunately the owner of the property who happens to be family decided to sell them the land owner financed. But now that they have it we are trying to figure the best way to maximize it's potential. Any thoughts??

My goal is to help my parents and build financial freedom so that one day I can work for myself. All the while networking with local investors and joining some local REIA meetings. Ideally I'd like to see some in the field experience. Me and my GF are planning on volunteering for Habitat for Humanity in building some homes so we can get some hands on experience in the event we ever get a fixer upper.

Last but not least thanks to Josh and Brandon for providing and maintaining this site. Where would we be without BP???

Best regards

Rudy Sanchez

[Darren Sager]

Welcome to BP @Rudy Sanchez ! Thanks for taking the time to introduce yourself. I think a great way to begin using BP is to read the Bigger Pockets Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Real Estate Investing as Josh and Brandon did a great job with it.And now that you're here we'd love to see you be an active member of the BP community so be sure to set up Keywords Alerts for your local area such as "Driftwood" or "Austin" if you're looking to find potential opportunities for investing, education in a subject, or other members in your area. Use the Find Members area to network with other members who are local to you or are in an area you're wanting to invest in. Podcasts come out weekly and are great way to learn on the move. I find there's always a gold nuggets of information in each one and I go back to listen to a number of them multiple times.

If you appreciate a post that a fellow member put up responding to you be sure to say "Thank You!" by casting a vote for it.If you think a response you read is good or answers another member's question well cast a vote for it.It's our own version of liking something on Facebook provided you're familiar with that. Simply click the box in the upper right corner of the post!

If you want to get a member's direct attention in a post you're writing first type an @ and then wait..................... (sometimes longer than you might expect), for their name to appear below where you're writing, then be sure to click on it. IF it now doesn't have their name highlighted in a blue background (like yours is above) it didn't work properly and you should try again.

And lastly I highly recommend becoming a Plus or Pro member of the site and take advantage of all that BP has to offer you. It like getting the keys to the kingdom. It will be one of the best investments you'll make when it comes your real estate investing.

Again welcome to Bigger Pockets!