Poor Dad from the Pittsburgh, PA area

[Matthew Lancaster]

Hi Everyone!  My name is Matt Lancaster.  I'm a Dad, Husband, and a Software Developer (by trade).  I live in a smaller city about an hour south east of Pittsburgh, PA, called Uniontown.  I've been wanting to break away from the 9-5 for a long time, but used the same excuses any Poor Dad would (cost, risk, etc).  Although I've kicked around the idea of investing in real estate it wasn't until my friend Ryan Gartley (also a BiggerPockets member) decided to ask if I wanted to partner up.  So as I do with anything that peaks my interest I veraciously begin reading and researching.

I actually had my interest piqued earlier this summer as my cousins deal with commercial real estate, capital investments, and financial planning.  I told my wife, that's what I want.  If they can do it, why not I?  So here I am.  I look forward to being apart of the BP community!

Best Regards,

Matt

[Anthony Angotti]

Hi @Matthew Lancaster!

Welcome to BP and getting started with researching is a great first step! I would say that learning by doing is definitely the best way to get going so just make sure to not get trapped by “analysis paralysis”. One way to learn by doing without having as much “risk” is to link up with a local investor or someone in the real estate industry and offer to help them out for free. It doesn’t have to be much, you could just drive by some properties and take pictures, drive for dollars, help scrub lists, help send mailings, anything really! That will give you some practical experience that you can use to apply and accelerate your own portfolio!

Best of luck and if you need anything at all please reach out! I'm in the earlier stages of my journey as well, but would be happy to help with what I can. Also, we are starting a South Hills subgroup of the Pittsburgh REIA that you'd be more than welcome to join us for! The time and place are still being decided, but there will be plenty of people there looking to grow and help others do the same! That being said it may be a bit far away so if there is something close to you hopefully someone can chime in!

Best of luck,

Tony