Hello from San Jose, CA!

[Jonathan C.]

Hi All,

I'm really excited to join the BP network! After going through some financial podcasts and articles, I'm determined to get to the point of financial freedom. Currently, I'm paying down my student loans and hope to be finished in the short-term. I'm taking the duration of my debt repayment as a time to learn more about real estate investing. 

I actually have a question for anyone with REI experience. The real estate around my area is more on the pricey side compared to other areas of the US. Investing in real estate around Silicon Valley would put a lot of my capital to use, so I was considering about investing out-of-state at more affordable areas. That way, I can learn the business and if the investment gets into a rough situation, I'll be able to learn from my mistake and hopefully not take a huge financial hit.

Any thoughts to this approach? I've heard the option of turn-key investments, doing your due diligence of an area, connecting with the right people, etc. But I'm still in the early stage of looking into this approach. Thanks!

- JC

[Account Closed]

Jonathan,

Welcome to BiggperPockets.  You have come to the right place to learn ALMOST everything real estate related.  I suggest you concentrate on paying off your student loans while honing your real estate skills.  I suggest you read a couple of books to get you in the right mindset before you start.

1) The Millionaire Real Estate Investor by Gary Keller

2) Think and Grow Rich by Napolean Hill

3) The Richest Man in Babylon

I suggest you join some local Bay Area meetups and rub elbow with local investors.  @Johnson H. hosts a monthly meetup at Whisper Cafe at 1085 E Brokaw Rd in North San Jose.  It's free to attend.  @Jeff Pollack hosts a monthly meetup in West San Jose.  I believe it costs $10 to attend.  @J. Martin hosts a monthly meetup in San Francisco.  I think it's free to attend too.  I wouldn't join SJREI.  I think they're too expensive and don't have much to offer.  Looking forward to seeing you in the future at one of the meetups.

Welcome aboard.