New Guy from Northern California (Mendocino County)

[Orion Walker]

Hi Folks,

What a great site. Glad to have stumbled upon it a few weeks ago. Here's a bit about me:

I live in the hills outside of a little town called Ukiah, about 2 hours north of San Francisco. I grew up here, and moved back about ten years ago with my wife to build a green/natural house and raise a family. We now have a nice little house on a beautiful plot of land and two great kiddos. I have a BA in Environmental Studies and an MBA with a focus on sustainable/green business. I work at the local community college where I started a sustainability/construction/renewable energy/energy efficiency program and teach some courses. I know a fair bit about green building, solar, renewables, energy efficiency, eco-development...

As for real estate, we bought a triplex (now 4 plex) in Fort Bragg in 2012. I knew very little about real estate but I knew enough to see that prices were at historic lows, interests rates were at historic lows, rents were still strong, and it seemed like things were beginning to turn around. I think we did pretty good on the place. I've been enjoying fixing it up and getting a feel for being a landlord. Now I'm hooked. Looking to figure out a next buy, educating myself as much/quickly as I can, networking, and working on getting my real estate license as a way to get more knowledgeable and perhaps open some additional doors (I think I found BG googling pros and cons of getting a license as a way to progress as an investor). At this point I'd say I'm a buy/fix and holder, but looking to learn about other avenues and interested in national/international as well as local. 

Thanks for taking the time to read this. I look forward to being a part of this community. 

-Orion

[J. Martin]

@Orion Walker ,

Welcome to the site! Came to the right place, and a lot of awesome people on here! I invest in the East Bay in the SF Bay Area, but there are lots of great investors further up in California too. I'm definitely a believer in networking, and check out my website for an awesome targeted networking event in Nov in SF. You also might want to get ahold of @Al Williamson up in Sac for meetups in the future. (although still a ways from you..)

When you first said something about "green" buildings up in Mendo, I was about to crack the medical MJ joke, but sounds like you've really built (literally and figuratively) great sustainable growth around you, between the house and "organically" growing the sustainable model where you teach too. Good for you! You could post that by itself in the success forum, and congrats on the tri/4plex! Not everyone practices what they preach. Good for you Orion. 

Hope to see you in Nov, or hopefully meet you before that sometime next time you're down here, or if I'm up near the "green triangle." OK, I'll stop with the jokes/puns and Mendo references!

Welcome Orion!!