Greetings from Washington (by way of the Middle East)

[Andrew Conway]

Team!

Brand new to the forums and real estate investing. When I'm not traveling, I live in Western Washington. I'm serving in the military overseas, presently, and when I return I will be unemployed. My goal for a while has been to diversify my investment portfolio with real estate, I just have never pulled the trigger (also had to pay off the remainder of my debt).

I found this site while 'fact finding' in order to really develop a strategy for when I return. First and foremost, the consensus seems to be that I will need to attend REIA meetings (which sounds like a great idea). I've looked it up and there is a meeting in Tacoma, WA nearest where I live.

Since I will be unemployed, I have thought that perhaps house-flipping would be a great use of my time - however I would certainly need a mentor for that undertaking and would likely need to cooperate with another flipper on a few houses prior to venturing out on my own. I enjoy the idea because I think it would be a broadening experience personally (learning carpentry etc) but also I know I would enjoy the work (as I like to see the fruits of my labor). What's also appealing is the purchasing of a duplex and creating a steady income stream from the beginning.

Anyway, I could ramble away with my thoughts/visions/ideas but I'll table them for later. All comments/opinions are certainly welcomed!

[Steve Wynne]

Let's just say that I have been sitting on the fence for a long LONG time believing all the anecdotal horror stories of how awful land lording is.  Since listening to podcasts and talking to people who are successful at it I have gained the courage I needed to buy 2 duplexes.  If the horror stories are true I haven't had them.  I have had a number of headaches along the way but I now know that I can handle them.  I also know of a great network of people from BP I can now talk to who not only do this but who succeed at it.