Newbie

[Steven Roffer]

Hello out there:

I have been a pro member of the site for a few weeks now, and while I have participated in many forum discussion (and started a bunch as well), I have not made my official new member introduction.

I'm a newbie just educating myself about possible RE directions here in CA and I wanted to get your feedback about one possible direction:

One of the things I have at my advantage is a very close relationship with a top broker here in LA. He owns a company with over 800 agents in 13 offices. I'm pretty sure he can find me properties before they hit the MLS and other good deals, with the intention to fix and flip. I also have a very close relationship with a top contractor that I can trust and will probably do top quality work reasonably.

So for those reasons, I'm thinking of fixing & Flipping here in CA, as well as invest in reasonably priced rentals across the country with good ROI and/or appreciation. I have uncovered an interesting source for these deals in a company called MARSHALL REDDICK REAL ESTATE in Newport Beach.  Has anyone heard of them or done business with them? 

I had a conversation with a financier yesterday (introduced to me by Reddick RE) about fixing and flipping who told me my close relationships with the agent and contractor give me a significant leg up over other flippers, and I could learn from them as well(as opposed to take courses, seminar, coaching).  What do you think? I was thinking of seeing what the agent can bring to me, and if we found something appealing, put it through the BP deal analyzer, and go from there. Then I'd learn as I go.  Your thoughts?

Thanks!

[Kelly O'Quinn]

Welcome! I agree with @Lucas P. Make sure your agent is experienced in working with investors and that you communicate thoroughly regarding your buying criteria. And, if you're depending on your agent to bring you deals, I'd ask them how they plan on finding those deals. The MLS around here is a bit dried up as far as good fix/flip opportunities go (yes, they come up, but there's a lot more opportunity off the MLS), so you or your agent may need to go above and beyond to find deals that are off-market.

You're on the right track! See you around the forums.