Newbie from Saint Louis, Missouri

[Chloe Nave]

Hi, I'm Chloe Nave and I'd like to introduce myself.

I joined BiggerPockets because the information I've seen on the website is so sensible and easy to understand. I'm a computer nerd who loves to analyze and research so I enjoy finding leads but my goal is to enjoy financial freedom and that requires deals. That said, my husband and I decided we would invest in real estate now that we are retired. Last month when our son moved out of a family property that we owned free and clear, we cleaned it up and rented it out. We have since put a contract on a short sale property and are waiting to see how that turns out. If we get it then that will become our second rental.

Since we don't want to run out of retirement savings buying rental properties, I enrolled in a Subject To and Lease Option training course offered by a local REI. So we seem to be building a foundation on rentals and I'm trying to get my husband to take advantage of the information on the internet about being a landlord rather than continue with his trial-and-error experiential method. I've pointed him to BiggerPockets as a start so hopefully it will help him change gears.

Anyway, I want to learn to wholesale as an alternative exit strategy for property we don't purchase/option to rent/lease. I have just started to build and qualify my buyers' list and I set a goal to complete my first wholesale by end of next month. I've been told by others in local REIs that my goal is realistic although I still feel very unsure about approaching motivated sellers. My expectation is that once I do my first wholesale I will get over that feeling and pursue them more aggressively. Overall it would be wonderful if we can end 2014 with 5 rentals and 3+ wholesales.

So why did I join BiggerPockets? To stay motivated, to learn from its many contributors, to connect to others who may become my associates, and because it's such a suitable format for a computer nerd!

[Paul Timmins]

@Chloe Nave

Welcome. Time to build the foundation below.

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

Check out the free BiggerPockets Podcast - A weekly podcast with interviews and a ton of great advice. And you get the benefit of having 60 past ones to catch up on.

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

Locate and attend 3 different local REIA club meetings great place to meet people gather resources and info. Here you will meet wholesalers who provide deals and all the cash buyers (rehabbers) you will need.

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.

Couple good reads

• 9 Reasons You Couldn't Find A Buyer For Your Wholesale Deal
• Don't Start Wholesaling Until You Read This: Wholesale Advice from a Fix and Flipper
• How to Start Wholesaling: Getting Past The Education and Into the Field

Good luck

Paul