Hello From Dayton, OH

[Pete Hagar]

Hello to the group. I feel I know a few of you already as I have been lurking for the past several weeks. A little about me, I am 44 and bought my first house at 25, one of my better decisions. Since then I have owned 4 homes. I am self employeed and have wanted to do REI since I sold my first home 15 years ago, but for various reasons I have not taken the plunge. I am Married and have a 6 year old son. I have perfect credit, good net worth and plan on finding my first deal with in the year. I have been studying the business off and on over the years but seriously the last few months. I have enough money to self finance but have reservations with that for obvious reasons.

My interests lie in rehabbing and flipping. However I often contemplate holding and renting, which I think eventually I will do. I have finished 2 basements with built in carpentry. I have gutted and redone 2 or 3 kitchens. I rehabbed a home with a buddy for an investor. I can do most basic plumbing and electrical. My trim carpentry is getting much better and tighter. I've installed wood floors. I've done lots of dry wall and plastering. Hardest project to date was an Iron and wood stair railing...never again. I have hung lots of doors. Landscaping/gardening is a hobby. So I feel I have the skills and the assets to finally start my REI career.

My plan over the next year is to continue studying and start by looking at homes for sale in my area, open houses and FSBO's,as many homes as I can to learn the market. I also study all the ad and RE flyers. I also drive around looking for "distressed" properties that I may throw some low offers at to see what happens. I am learning to use public records on line and at the court house to conduct research. I am in no hurry, I know with the proper preperation and constant searching I will find my "first" deal and I hope I'll be able to recognize it when I see it. OH YEAH, I am reading and searching the archives on this forum, a big thanks to those whom have posted before me. I look forward to getting to know this community and hopefully contribute. If anybody needs help with flooring issues like stone or ceramic ask me that is my bussiness, not installation but restoration and maintenance. 8)

I love emoticons :beer:

Regards,

Pete