Hello from Waltham, MA!

[Shawn L.]

Hi fellow BP'ers!

I've lurked around the site for quite a while now, joined a few weeks back and am just now finally getting around to introducing myself.  I've also been listening to the BP Podcasts every day on my commute, beginning with #1 and i'm up to I believe #36 right now.

A little bit about me - I grew up working for a local homebuilder, that got me through High School and College.  After graduating with a degree in Construction Management, I went to work for a large international construction firm.  Within 6 months I was on a plane to Guam, way out in the Western Pacific.  I spent probably the best 13 months of my life (thus far) there, then a couple years in the Washington DC area, and finally a year in Port au Prince Haiti.  After that I jumped around a bit between home and Baltimore, MD.  I've been back in Massachusetts about 2 years now and am working as an Estimator with the company I have worked with since graduating from college.

Growing up I always knew that I would invest in real estate. While I was in Haiti I started watching the MLS. After getting back home over a year later, I looked at a ton of multi families, and finally ended up buying a 2-unit property in September of 2014. It was the 3rd property that I put an offer in on. I am actively seeking another multifamily property but I'm having a real hard time finding properties that meet my criteria for cash flow in anything but very rough neighborhoods. I'll be posting about those struggles soon.

Really looking forward to being part of the community here!

Shawn

[Ned Carey]

@Shawn L. welcome to BP. Glad you found the podcasts. Check out the blogs too.

[Matt Lefebvre]

Hey @Shawn L., welcome to BiggerPockets!  Keep us all posted about how your search goes.  If you ever need any help or have any questions, feel free to reach out to me!

Best of luck,

Matt Lefebvre

[Jim Sestito]

@Shawn L. welcome Shawn... use your talents to your advantage... sounds like you know your way around a tool box, very valuable knowledge to have!  Best of luck. 

[Mike Hurney]

@Shawn L. Welcome.

"I'm having a real hard time finding properties that meet my criteria for cash flow in anything but very rough neighborhoods."

No kidding!;-)

How'd you find the 2 family?

[Shawn L.]

@Ned Carey Thanks for the welcome.  I have found the Blogs to be very helpful as well.

@Matt Lefebvre I'll be posting about my search and some of the issues that many local investors are likely very familiar with.

@Jim Sestito Definitely know my way around a toolbox, but I'm looking to step back from doing the work myself so I don't burn myself out.  Swinging a hammer was great in my teens and early 20's but now woodworking is just a hobby that I'd like to keep as a hobby.  That said, you are correct that the knowledge is valuable because I know what is involved when something does need to get done.

@Mike Hurney The property was on the MLS. I looked at about 20 properties, put in offers on 3 and got this one. I put up a pretty hefty downpayment to get the cashflow I was looking for.