New Member

[Aaron J.]

Hey Guys,

I'm a new member from San Jose, CA looking to get into real estate. I've listened to a few episodes of the BP podcasts and am currently reading "Real Estate Investing for Dummies". So I'm definitely a newb. I see the potential of how real estate and change my life but am suffering from analysis paralysis, also fear of things going wrong and losing big time. I currently own and live in a condo with my brother 50/50. We plan to part ways sometime in 2015. So that means he buys me out or I buy him out or we sell. We don't really know how it's going to play out at this point in time. I'm not really interested in living in the Bay Area anymore and would like to try a new area. I have considered central Oregon or possibly the Sacramento or surrounding areas. I have not decided yet on that either. I have heard that Oregon has a depressed Economy. Can anyone comment on that? Specifically the Bend area? Is that area promising for real estate? When I move, I want to start off my investment strategy by buying a duplex or triplex or fourplex and living in one of the units and renting the rest. I have been advised by family and friends to rent there for a year to see if I like it before I get into real estate. Thoughts on that?  Of course all these plans depend on me having steady employment wherever I chose to move. I have a 10 year plan that involves a buy and hold strategy to get me to a point where I can be self employed with 3 or 4 properties living off the cash flow and then of course reevaluating goals at that point. But for now, baby steps, I just want to get into one property and start now so that there is some light at the end of the tunnel in terms of early retirement and the ability to be free to do the things I have passion for, like music recording and composition, spending time with family, etc..... So that is my situation for now... Oregon, or Sacramento? I have doubts about both, the cold weather and economy in Oregon and the hot weather in Sacramento. Comments? Thoughts? 

[Aaron J.]

Thanks everyone for your input, much appreciated. Yeah I think maybe it may be more fruitful in the sacramento area. More research and homework required...I will be visiting Oregon in September and report back. Does anyone have any thoughts on Atlanta GA? I heard there are some turnkey opportunities for under $100k?