Hello BP! New investor from the Bay Area, CA

[Ari Maguire]

Hello Bigger Pockets! 

Let me first start off by saying I have so many questions, but I figured I better introduce myself before I start asking. So here we go...

My name is Ari, I'm a senior ux-designer for a tech company in San Mateo (just south of SF).  I've always been very passionate about design & tech and have made a pretty good career out of doing it (thank you Apple, for helping put UX on the map). I love creating experiences - moments that evoke emotion in people. From creating a delightful checkout experience on a mobile app to planning the perfect surprise lunch for my girlfriend. If there's an opportunity to make a person "feel" something, I want to make sure i've put a creative touch on it. Much of my job also focusing on problem solving, which I also enjoy just as much. 

About 2 months ago or so I stumbled across BP while I was looking for housing in my area. Then, I only thinking about saving to buy. 2 months later, several hours of podcasts, audiobooks, books, forums, etc and I'm fully committed to becoming a real estate investor.   Now, I'm saving to invest. Maybe it will be the house I live in, or maybe something out of town (seemingly more likely), but either way I have my investment mind on. 

Currently, I'm still educating myself and taking in as much as I can, but I'm reaching the point where I'm ready to act and feel comfortable knowing I can learn more as I go.  I'm also focusing on outlining my plan. I'm not trying to reinvent the wheel, but much like designing an app, I want to map out my strategy in a visual/flow chart to help organize it all. I'm sure that won't be necessary after I get my feet wet, but I want to go in feeling prepared. No one plans to fail, they just fail to plan. So true...

Moving forward, I'm looking to networking with people in my area and abroad)and would love to find a great mentor.  

And quickly, a little more about me...

I have 2 wonderful dogs, Rem (11 1/2 year old Manchester Terrier Mix) and Yoshi (10, Aussie Cattle Dog). We (my girlfriend) love spending time with them. The therapeutic nature of walking a dog daily is so underrated! I'm also crazy about hockey. I'm a huge sharks fan, and 8 year veteran rec league player at Sharks Ice in San Jose (Go Hellfish! Go Cereal Killers!). I went to school at SFSU for Film Production and one day I'd love to return to making short films. 

Ok well thats probably longer than most of you will read - but for those that did, thank you for taking the time to get to know a little bit about me. I look forward to meeting you!