self taught techie learning real estate in the Bay Area

[Jarrad Henry]

Hey guys,

First ....

If no one has said it yet, I just want to give a massive and genuine thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the advice and information the experts are offering here. You guys probably don't think about it this way but by contributing here you are saving lives by keeping people like me from making 30 and 15 years destructive and life-altering commitments. So keep contributing. :)

After a long day of searching in the Bay Area with the limitations of an FHA loan, I always come here for a little bit of inspiration to search again tomorrow, no matter how difficult the previous day. Honestly thank you. I have been a software engineer since my sophomore year in college and I have never encountered a professional community like this one.

About me:

I'm originally from Kansas City, MO (Go Royals) and have been renting in the Bay Area for 3 yrs now. I want to take advantage of the housing market here while I can still afford to. Currently I live in Oakland but my chances of securing something here are looking more and more bleak each week. I'm open on location as it will be a long time rental.

I'm working with a realtor but she continues to tell me about how slim the pickings are. Is anyone else encountering this will an FHA loan?

Markets I search are Oakland, Richmond, Emeryville, Dublin, Pleasanton, Pleasant Hill, Walnut Creek.

(as I typed these goals I realized these are probably everyones goals) hehehe

Goals:

• Near a Chipotle (only slightly kidding)
• Cash flow even or positive
• Under 500K (but approved for max under FHA)
• Multi Family
• Likely utilize property manager
• Great rental market
• Good Appreciation (not necessarily great as I plan to hold and rent it out long term)

Your awesome,

Jarrad