Getting Started in Sacramento

[Jessica Sorensen]

I've been lurking around Bigger Pockets for a couple months now. Figured it was time to jump in and introduce myself! I'm a project manager for a unique sort of home renovation... the kind on TV. We're based in and do most of our work around Sacramento, but I've done projects all over the country. I've completed dozens of renovations, and have a solid network of contractors and vendors in my area, but hadn't really considered real estate until recently.

Now that my husband and I are thinking about buying our first home, I want to make it an investment and use my experience and contacts to our advantage. But I had NO clue about financing or how to analyze deals, so that's when I found Bigger Pockets. I've been on the site pretty much every day since, reading articles, listening to podcasts, and watching the forums.

Our area is very expensive, so I have a feeling I'll be studying and saving up for a while. We love the neighborhood we rent in now (Midtown), and our starting goal is to find a multifamily property in our area that needs a makeover, live in one unit, and rent out the others while we renovate. The trick will be finding one that can cashflow... Much easier said than done here. I'm hoping to meet other investors and learn how they do it!