San Diego Novice

New Member Introductions
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San Diego Novice

Brian Stieler
Investor · Grand Rapids, MI · Member since 2014 · 47 posts · 20 votes

Hey BiggerPockets,

I'm getting started in REI and will be interested to see what the San Diego scene holds. I have a background in advertising and web design, and plan to bring my marketing abilities into finding/selling properties. Sorry if you've tried to check out an REI book from the downtown central library, they're all currently covering my coffee table. I've been reading a ton, and trying to wrap my head around the different strategies, payment options and "first steps".

At the moment I'm focused on flipping and buy/hold. I've heard buy/hold isn't very profitable here, but I'm sure I can find something.

If anyone in San Diego is interested in meeting up, feel free to connect with me. I find that doing > reading any day, and look forward to getting out there and getting some true experience.

My weekends are open, so if you have some marketing questions or on site work that needs to get done, I'm happy to exchange my time for knowledge/experience.

I look forward to seeing you all in the forums.

- Brian

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Most Popular Reply

Dmitriy Fomichenko
Solo 401k Expert · Anaheim Hills, CA · Member since 2012 · 18k+ posts · 6k+ votes
12y

@Brian Stieler

Welcome to BP community! It is a great place to meet new friends and learn about various aspects of real estate and more. Here are a few recommendations for you:

Find and connect with other BP members that are in your area http://www.biggerpockets.com/meet

Set up keyword alerts to be notified of the topics that interest you http://www.biggerpockets.com/alerts

Read Beginner’s Guide http://www.biggerpockets.com/real-estate-investing and check out BP Podcast.

Wishing you the best!

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  • Cody Marchant
    Rental Property Investor · Manchester, NH · Member since 2014 · 37 posts · 4 votes
    12y
    Welcome Brian Stieler this is a great first step to enter the bigger pockets forum. Many people have mixed reviews on the San Diego market but I'm sure any smart/savvy investor can make a killing in that market. I hope you find a mentor to help get you on the right path to your investing and have a great career here. Happy investing!
    0Reply
  • Brian Stieler
    OP
    Investor · Grand Rapids, MI · Member since 2014 · 47 posts · 20 votes
    12y

    Thanks @Cody Marchant , I'm sure there's a niche for me somewhere here. I'm originally from Detroit, and lived in Atlanta for awhile, but San Diego is where I want to be, and I'll just make that work.

    0Reply
  • Tim G.
    Rental Property Investor · San Diego, CA · Member since 2011 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    12y

    howdy and welcome. Lots of fun opportunities here in San Diego.

    Your background in Georgia and Michigan might provide better chances for cash flow but the weather is nicer here.

    0Reply
  • Dmitriy Fomichenko
    Solo 401k Expert · Anaheim Hills, CA · Member since 2012 · 18k+ posts · 6k+ votes
    12y

    @Brian Stieler

    Welcome to BP community! It is a great place to meet new friends and learn about various aspects of real estate and more. Here are a few recommendations for you:

    Find and connect with other BP members that are in your area http://www.biggerpockets.com/meet

    Set up keyword alerts to be notified of the topics that interest you http://www.biggerpockets.com/alerts

    Read Beginner’s Guide http://www.biggerpockets.com/real-estate-investing and check out BP Podcast.

    Wishing you the best!

    1Reply
  • Joe Sillaman
    Ewa Beach, HI · Member since 2013 · 145 posts · 42 votes
    12y

    Rehabbing Guru's, Fortune Builders is based in San D. Those are the guys who had the TV show Flip This House on A&E. They flip like crazy out there. But don't get pulled into their mentoring programs they're very pricey and all the info with them you can find here on BP!

    1Reply
  • J. MartinPro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Oakland, CA · Member since 2011 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    12y

    Welcome Brian. There are a lot of super helpful people and great advice on this site! I’m a ‘fix and hold’ investor from the Bay Area in CA, and loving it! A lot of others doing flips, wholesaling, notes, everything.. A few tips..

    You can tag people by typing @ before you type their name, then clicking their name when it pops up at the bottom of the message box. 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. The "Learn" link across the top navigation bar has lots of great info, and most importantly, the BP members! Welcome to BP, and good luck on your investments!

    0Reply
  • Ali Boone
    Real Estate Coach · Venice Beach, CA · Member since 2012 · 6k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    12y

    Welcome Brian! I'm north of you, up in LA. My cousin lives in SD though (owns rental properties, but only out-of-state) so I've been down a couple times, and who doesn't love an excuse to hit up SD. I love it down there.

    Reach out to any of us with any questions and best of luck! Advertising/marketing is awesome, btw.

    0Reply
  • Brandon TurnerPro Member
    Investor · Maui, HI · Member since 2009 · 13k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    12y

    Hey @Brian Stieler Welcome! Definitely start jumping into the community here! Be sure to read through The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Real Estate Investing to help you get started.

    Also - be sure to check out the post "House Flipping: The Best of BiggerPockets." It's a collection of the best flipping info from the site.

    Finally -be sure to setup some keyword alerts - especially for "San Diego" so you can jump into local conversations.

    See you around the forums!

    Podcast Guest on Show #92
    0Reply
  • Brian Stieler
    OP
    Investor · Grand Rapids, MI · Member since 2014 · 47 posts · 20 votes
    12y

    Thanks everyone for the warm welcome. I'm looking forward to being a contributing member on the site.

    @Brandon Turner I have the beginners guide printed and very highlighted already. The podcasts are great too, and referenced your site to a client just the other day.

    See you all in the forums.

    0Reply
  • Sundeep Amin
    New to Real Estate · San Diego, CA · Member since 2013 · 49 posts · 6 votes
    12y

    Welcome @Brian Stieler

    Lots of new people from San Diego the last few days. I myself just posted my intro post a few minutes ago and have already gotten a lot of great reach outs from experienced BP members like you have in yours.

    I think it would also be worthwhile to connect with some newer members on the same path as well. Keep an eye out for a colleague request and good luck!

    0Reply
  • Brian Daly
    Real Estate Investor · San Marcos, CA · Member since 2011 · 31 posts · 7 votes
    12y
    Hi Brian Stieler and welcome (belated). Our company is an active "rehabber" in the SD market and aggressively marketing for direct sellers as well so there may be some synergy there if you haven't found a good fit yet. Regardless I agree with you - you won't believe how much a difference can be made by putting the book down (after you feel comfortable with the basics) for a bit and just start trying to make stuff happen and meet people. For newcomers I see a lot of people get overwhelmed by information and stifled by the fear they need to have it all figured out - can't beat the knowledge gained by doing!
    0Reply
  • Brian Stieler
    OP
    Investor · Grand Rapids, MI · Member since 2014 · 47 posts · 20 votes
    12y

    @Brian Daly

    Thanks for the info. I've been doing some shadowing of investors around San Diego, and it's really helped. I've decided to focus on Michigan buy/hold properties at the moment, though I'm open to advice from anyone willing to share.

    0Reply
  • Ben D.
    CA · Member since 2013 · 64 posts · 58 votes
    12y

    @Brian Stieler

    Just curious how who decided on Michigan as your target spot? Strangely enough, I am also an out of state investor living in San Diego who buys buy and hold cash flow properties in Michigan. I find there are some properties that cash flow very well. You just have to be careful and invest in the right areas.

    0Reply
  • John Steele
    Real Estate Agent/ Investor · San Diego, CA · Member since 2014 · 169 posts · 34 votes
    12y

    @Brian Stieler Welcome Brian!

    0Reply
  • Brian Stieler
    OP
    Investor · Grand Rapids, MI · Member since 2014 · 47 posts · 20 votes
    12y

    @Ben D.

    Hey Ben. I chose Michigan because I was born and raised there. All my family still lives there, and I have a lot of connections in the area. Also I'm familiar with all the different neighborhoods, but I'll still need to research the market.

    0Reply
  • Brandon Krieg
    Specialist · Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo, MI · Member since 2013 · 392 posts · 116 votes
    12y

    If you need someone on the ground to check some places out in West Michigan, let me know. I'm happy to take a look at a place if need be!

    0Reply
  • Brian Stieler
    OP
    Investor · Grand Rapids, MI · Member since 2014 · 47 posts · 20 votes
    12y

    Thanks @Brandon Krieg

    0Reply
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