Motivated Newbie from Orange County, CA! Let's Network :)

[Elizabeth Moreno]

Hello Everyone!

I've been creeping on the website for a couple days now and I'm ready to introduce myself to this wonderful community.

I just graduated college in May 2013 w/ a Bachelors in Economics, got a full time job in a field where I thought I loved (finance) and realized that sitting in a small cubicle 40 hours of the day isn't what I want to do with the rest of my life. I became motivated and inspired after reading Rich Dad, Poor Dad and was sold on real estate!

I have a background in sales and am not afraid to talk to people. So I've been attending Meetups for REI and Cashflow to meet likeminded individuals.

My journey has just begun and have learned so much through books, blogs, and the biggerpockets website overall. I'm looking to connect with other people, I'd love to buy any of you a cup of coffee just to hear about your Real Estate journey, so that I can start mine.

If you have a book you recommend, a blog topic, article, specific podcast that helped you, please don't hesitate to let me know even if you are not in California!

[Aaron Montague]

@Elizabeth Moreno welcome to BP :)

One never knows where you're going to land in the RE world. This website is a great place to start. Finance is a wonderful background for investing.

The first thing I'd read is: http://www.biggerpockets.com/real-estate-investing

Beyond that I recommend building up your funds. To quote Rich Dad, "pay yourself first" each and every paycheck.

I don't know what your rental situation is, but I would target that as your first expenses to eliminate. With an FHA loan, you can be in a place for 3.5% down plus closing.

http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/329-Wakeham-Ave_Santa-Ana_CA_92701_M24159-37802?row=7 could be yours for about $25000 down. With both apartments rented and a few roommates I'll bet you could get your costs down to close to $0 per month. Santa Ana seems to be REALLY expensive, but there are probably surrounding areas with cheaper housing.