SuperNewbie+ in Virginia, maybe going to Las Vegas

[Robert Slatkin]

Hi BP People! I’m Robert, but my friends call me something I can’t repeat. For many months I've been reading and gathering information about different topics on BP, but this is my very first post.

I currently live in Northern Virginia, basically a suburb of Washington, DC. However, I am contemplating a move to Las Vegas, NV.

My knowledge of real estate investing ranges between that of a seasoned professional, and that of a sheer imbecile. Therefore, I believe I average out to a SuperNewbie+.

Some Advantages:

I have bought and sold about 7 homes (purchased mainly to live in), and have made a limited number of real estate investments, the most complex of which was purchasing, sub-dividing, and developing a small land deal.

Before the real estate market melted down into the fiery depths of hell, I owned and built a mortgage company from 1 employee to over 50, with offices in several States. We ran a very clean and honest business, and I never needed to repurchase even one loan in 14 years. New regulations and costs pushed me out of the business.

I currently do two things with my work time:

1. Co-manage a family-based business that sets up self-directed 401k’s called iDirect401k.

2. Run a company that assists Foreign Nationals, both around the world and already in the United States, to gain residency in the U.S. through business investment.

Some Challenges:

Everything else! There are many, many aspects of smart real estate investing which I need to learn. Also, I am still over-analyzing strategies and have not been able to decide on a niche. Most likely I want to buy, fix, and rent Multi-Family properties.

Northern Virginia is a very expensive area, and does not appear advantageous for a small investor. Las Vegas is much more affordable, but it seems to me that the cost of property has gone up too far too fast. I worry about the stability of that market.

I suck with technology. I could not even get this post in the right place the first time! I use an abacus to analyze real estate deals. I carve my offers into stone tablets for presentation. You get the idea….

I welcome the opportunity to develop meaningful relationships with knowledgeable people of integrity, whether you are in the Las Vegas market or elsewhere.

Please contact me if you would like to work towards a long term, mutually beneficial relationship. Please do not if you are just trying to sell me something.

Thank you for reading my dreadfully long introduction.

All the Best,
Robert