New Member from Encino California

[Ricardo Zuniga]

Hi BiggerPockets community my name is Ricardo from Encino California. I am a new member here on the site and new real state. I stumbled onto the site on a road trip back from San Francisco with my GF by searching top real state investment podcast. I wanted to find out more about real state investing how people do this, how can they afford it and how do you get started? Which lead me to reconsider my entire outlook on real state and investing. I am currently renting looking to buy my first property. I went from thinking about buying a house and living in it for the rest of my life to telling myself no way this won't cut it. After going on BiggerPockets and listening to the podcasts I now have a whole different perspective. I am interested in purchasing a duplex or triplex to live in 1 for the first year and rent out the others. I am looking to do an FHA loan and put down 3 1/2 % down with possibly adding a 203k loan for repairs. I have spoken to a couple of realtors and I am not getting much information as I thought I would. It seems to me the ones i've spoken with are not as familiar with investments in real state. I want to make sure that my first move allows me to grow my business and gives me options for future investments. If anyone has any good investment realtors and loan officers that deal with long term investments in my area that you would recommend it would be greatly appreciated. Also any thoughts from experience investors on my approach ill be glad to hear back. My goal is to buy and hold eventually grow into apartment buildings. I am excited to be part of this community and hope to contribute in which ever way I can.