New to the site introduction

[Dana Brown]

Hello

In the early 90's I had been working in construction and it had been drilled into me that real estate was the best way to financial freedom.  I tried flipping a house with a coworker which went okay but decided rentals were a better way to go.  

By the mid 90's I partnered with a couple of other individuals and developed a plan to build a rental portfolio.  After 3 years we had acquired 3 duplexes and one triplex with 100% occupancy and clearing close to $2000 a month.  In the early 2000's we had built a nice reserve and the places had appreciated.  We had been having issues finding any deals in our area because of homes rising in price.  Unfortunately, that is when greed set in and it was voted that we needed to expand to other locations because our business plan was getting behind schedule.  

What a big mistake.  We did not know the area, city laws were different, I was not allowed to fix things because I was not a registered contractor in their city, we couldn't keep tenants and the ones we did keep wouldn't pay.  We had all gotten married and the places became less of a priority.  The housing bubble ended up finishing us off when the banks called all the loans.  The partnership turned ugly and we all went our separate ways.  I was able to negotiate acceptable terms with the banks but they took all my assets and spent 10 years paying them back.  

I have spent the last 25 years as a Mechanical Engineer and have recovered financially.  I am 52 and know real estate is a very good way to create financial freedom.  I have decided to get back into real estate investing.  Everything is so different from back then so I joined this community in the hope of getting good advice and guidance along with creating friendships with like-minded individuals.  

Thank you

Dana