I started my exploration into real estate by working in property management as a leasing agent after college in 2005. The site I worked had 350 units located in Fargo, North Dakota.

After 2 years I left the property management company and I took a position with a bank to learn more about leveraging equity. I worked my way up through entry level taking every position that got me closer to equity. In 2008 I began working as a loan officer for consumer lending, primarily HE Loans and HELOCs. I am currently the Equity Product Manager for a midsize bank in Omaha, Nebraska.

My job relocated from Fargo, ND to Omaha, NE in 2012. We converted our primary residence to a rental on short notice before moving, though we'd always intended to eventually rent it anyway... just not from 3 states away! Distance landlording has its challenges, but a Fargo friend helps with maintenance and my tenants are great. They've paid on time four years and counting, and assure me they have no intention of leaving anytime soon. My written goal was to become a landlord by age 35... and I certainly beat that through the surprise relocation opportunity!

Since arriving in Omaha in June 2012, we've rented an apartment. We didn't know if we would be staying in Omaha long term, and we didn't know the city. After several career and personal life delays, we are now buying our second SFR. This one will be located in Omaha and we are on track to close Sept 1, 2016. Over the course of the next year we will make a few upgrades as we live there, then convert it to a rental too.

And then what? We're still plotting our best course to wealth through real estate investing. Brandon Turner's "The Book on Rental Property Investing" brought me here to Bigger Pockets and I am excited to network to learn all the options I haven't even considered yet.

My time in apartment leasing taught me the ins and outs of tenant selection, city codes, fair housing laws, rent collection and eviction. As an equity product manager for several years, I understand leveraging equity to acquire investments quite well. Now I just need to learn everything else... :)

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Still Learning in Omaha, Nebraska

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