New member from Vancouver, B.C.

New Member Introductions
12yFollow

New member from Vancouver, B.C.

Bojan Kovacevic
Burnaby, B.C. · Member since 2014 · 7 posts · 3 votes

Hi all!

I am a complete newbie to BP and to REI!

I actually found this site by looking for a review for a seminar I recently attended. So far I am very impressed with everything that BP has to offer. I truly believe that site's like these, and really the internet in general, is a huge blessing and we are so fortunate to have access to them.

So a little bit about myself...

I recently suffered a work injury (broke my leg) and have been recovering at home for the past 3 months. I was working a job which I dread! My real dream job is to flip homes and build new homes. While I was working my full-time day job I was attending a local college, 4 nights a week, studying Architectural Building Engineering, i.e. learning how to design residential homes. Currently I am finishing my last semester in that.

Now that I'm not working I'm searching for jobs related to new home construction and home designing. Ideally I'd find a day job as a junior architectural drafter. On the side I would like to invest in a property that I could renovate and flip. This would be possible since my father is a self-employed general contractor who does residential renovations and would definitely be able to help me with renovating. My job at the moment is to learn as much as I can about real estate investing and getting educated on financing.

I signed up for BP yesterday, and today I was reading the "Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Real Estate Investing". In the 1st chapter I read the proverb: "If you suddenly had one-million dollars and didn't have to work anymore, what would you do?", apparently an age-old high school guidance counselor question. The answer to that question is what career field you should be in. What's funny is that I've never heard the last part of that before, but I certainly have answered the question many times! I've always said that the first thing I would do is invest that money into Real Estate. Right there I had a pretty big A-ha moment. It's one of those elusive obvious things; it's been right there in front of you your whole life but you never really looked at it.

Anyway, I'm really excited to read the rest of the guide so I will get back to that. God, I'm glad I found this site!

1Reply
38 views

8 Replies

Jump to latestLatest
  • Engelo RumoraBusiness Member
    Investor · Toledo, OH · Member since 2013 · 4k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    12y

    Welcome to BP @Bojan Kovacevic

    I have a similar story to yours.

    I had a bad accident which made my movements very limited. I was on the computer all day everyday and started really looking onto real estate.

    We have bough and sold numerous properties in the last 4 years. Very excited for what the future has in store.

    Make a passion an obsession and you will never work a day in your life.

    Thanks and all the best.

    Podcast Guest on Show #89
    Oz Realty4.5369 Reviews
    WebsiteView Page
    0Reply
  • Brandon TurnerPro Member
    Investor · Maui, HI · Member since 2009 · 13k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    12y

    Hey @Bojan Kovacevic glad you enjoyed the Beginner's Guide. It's great to have you here! If you haven't yet, check on The BiggerPockets Podcast.

    Oh - and be sure to set up some Keyword Alerts- especially for "Burnaby" so you'll be notified when people mention it here in the forums.

    Seeya!

    Podcast Guest on Show #92
    0Reply
  • James Wise
    Real Estate Broker · Cleveland Dayton Cincinnati Toledo Columbus & Akron, OH · Member since 2013 · 31k+ posts · 20k+ votes
    12y

    Welcome to the site @Bojan Kovacevic

    0Reply
  • Bojan Kovacevic
    OP
    Burnaby, B.C. · Member since 2014 · 7 posts · 3 votes
    12y

    This site has created so much value for me so far!

    I just finished reading chapter 7 of the guide, and man is it enlightening. This guide is simply invaluable. What's funny is that the seminar I attended last weekend seemed like they were basically using this guide as their handbook and just regurgitating the information. Anyway the beginner's guide is great work and I can see myself referring back to it many times in the future.

    Thank you BP!

    @Brandon Turner

    Thank you for the Keyword Alerts tip, I just set them up. Seems like an ingenious feature to have.

    I also listened to the podcast last night with Justin Silverio, and it was very informative. I was very inspired when I heard how Justin started his first rehab. I can relate to that since both of our father's are general contractors. You guys did a great job in interviewing and asking the questions that are on the minds of us newbies!

    0Reply
  • Paul Timmins
    Specialist · Rockland, MA · Member since 2010 · 7k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    12y

    @Bojan Kovacevic

    Welcome. Are you investing in the US or Canada?

    Check out the Start Here page http://www.biggerpockets.com/starthere

    Locate and attend 3 different local REIA club meetings great place to meet people gather resources and info.

    Two Great reads, I bought both J. Scott The Book on Flipping Houses,The Book on Estimating ReHab Costshttp://www.biggerpockets.com/flippingbook

    Consider checking out HUD homes for small multi's owner occupied gets first crack.

    You might consider Niche or Specialized Housing like student housing. Rents can be 2-4 times more. Remember you don't have to own a property to control it.

    Good Luck

    Paul

    0Reply
  • J. MartinPro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Oakland, CA · Member since 2011 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    12y

    Hi Bojan , and welcome to BP! I'm a "fix and hold" investor from the Bay Area in CA, and loving it! But you'll find a variety of every type of investor on the site, and everyone is amazingly helpful. Some pointers for you: The "Learn" link across the top navigation bar has lots of great info, and so do BP members! You can click on the "vote" button if you like someone's post or is helpful, and there are "awards" to earn on your profile. And you can tag people by typing @ before you type their name, then clicking their name at the bottom of the message box. Welcome to the site, and good luck in everything!

    0Reply
  • Roy N.Pro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Fredericton, New Brunswick · Member since 2013 · 7k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    12y

    @Bojan Kovacevic

    A big welcome from the other side of the continent.

    Good to hear you are enjoying @Brandon Turner 's novella. Just keep a thought in the back of your head that if you plan to invest at home (read: Canada) a few things will differ from investing in the U.S.A - namely in the areas of finance, regulation and taxation.

    The good news is there is a small cadre of Canadians active here on BP, so when you arrive at a one-of-these-things-is-not-like-the-others moment, you can ask for clarification.

    0Reply
  • Tom Yung
    Investor · Winnipeg, Manitoba · Member since 2013 · 303 posts · 321 votes
    12y

    Hello Bojan

    Welcome to BP, I am Canadian investor for US properties too.

    One thing that I will strongly advise any Canadian doing US investment is to set up their entity structure right. LLC & 1031 exchange does not work for Canadians in terms of taxation. CRA does not treat LLC as a pass through entity. It will create double taxation. Talk to a cross border accountant that will give you better insights, as every individual's situation is different.

    0Reply
Join the conversationCreate a free account to reply, vote on answers and follow this thread.
Log InJoin for Free