New member starting out in REI

[Jason Rachanow]

Greetings Bigger Pockets!

I am a new REI and I am trying to get some advice from some of the veterans on this site. I have about $80K to start in the Virginia/MD area. Can anyone offer any advice on where to start? I am definitely interested in fixing and flipping.

I've considered getting my RE licesnse.   Is this a good idea, and what are the pros and cons of this? 

Should I work with a Realtor, or should I try the bank owned/Auction route?  Are there any other good ways to find deals?

I'm sure these questions have been asked before, so links to good discussions in the forums are great and appreciated!

Kind Regards,
Jason Rachanow

[Elizabeth Colegrove]

Welcome to Biggerpocket!

We are buy and hold investors. The amount of money you have saved up is perfect for buy and hold. Flipping is a all cash business. So it will be much more problematic since the costs to flip are much higher. We have always used a realtor and enjoy the "privileges" that being unlicensed provide. 

Definitely check out the blogs, podcast and forums. Another great source of information is individual blogs found in peoples signatures. Many of us including myself write about our niche. The only thing we all agree about is investing in Real Estate. Beyond that there are many different style and types of investing. My blog/website is about long distance self management, landlording, investing in class A investments, investing in a transient lifestyle, etc.

Look forward to seeing you around!