Hello BiggerPockets Community!

[Bhakti Patel]

My name is Bhakti Patel, and I’m thrilled to join this incredible group of real estate enthusiasts and professionals! A bit about me: I’m a payroll manager for a restaurant group, where I handle everything from creating policies and SOPs to processing payroll and ensuring compliance with state and federal laws. My role has taught me the importance of managing systems, understanding finances, and staying organized—skills I’m eager to apply to real estate investing.

I’m a newbie in the real estate world but deeply motivated to learn and take action. My goal is to dive into multifamily investments for my first deal, and I know there’s a lot to navigate—from finding the right property to building the right team. To better equip myself, I also plan to start by getting a real estate license here in Illinois. If anyone has insights on how to get started with licensing in Illinois or advice on balancing it with investing, I’d greatly appreciate your guidance!

I’ve joined this community to connect, learn, and grow alongside like-minded individuals. If you have tips for a first-time multifamily investor or suggestions for must-read resources, I’d love to hear from you!

Looking forward to networking with all of you and taking steps toward real estate success together.

[Nathan Gesner]

Quote from @Bhakti Patel:

Welcome!

I usually don't recommend you get your license. Why? Because it's better to hire a professional agent to represent you. They know the market, understand contracts and law, are experts at negotiation, provide a second (objective) set of eyes, and more. If you represent yourself, you have an amateur that is emotionally tied to the deal.