Noob from Omaha, Nebraska

[Joe Howell]

Hello everyone!  Thanks for this opportunity to grow as an investor with you all.  I began in the Real Estate Industry in 2006 when I was hired by a Consulting firm to perform Cost Segregation studies on commercial real estate properties.  After going through appraisals of multiple types of properties it really began to pique my interest.  I started looking for houses to by and rent out in 2012.  After months of searching for houses, my realtor suggested I go the multi-family route.  I closed on my first property, a duplex, in December of 2012 and was the landlord for that property throughout all of 2013.  I was then approached by my realtor with another property; this time a 4Plex at the end of 2013.  I closed on the 4Plex in February of 2014 and turned all properties over to a Property Management Company in May after all 6 units began taking up too much time.  My goals for real estate investing are to replace the income my wife and I make, while still maintaining income/property growth and providing for my children's college education (and more).  Ideally I would be able to "retire" from my current job in the next 10 years.

I came to BiggerPockets by simply searching the internet for real estate forums.  I have made a goal this year to align my interests so as to acquire an additional property by the end of next year.  However, in the short time I have been involved with BP, it seems like this could be done sooner, especially with your help.

I'm excited to jump into the webinars, podcast, eBooks and forums.  Thanks in advance for all of your assistance in helping me grown my empire!