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Updated about 8 years ago,
New from NJ
Hello All,
My name is Ivan Crego. I would like to take a moment to let everyone know a bit about myself. I've lived in northern New Jersey all my life in a small town called Roselle Park . It's a great area because of the great people, wonderful nearby towns and cities, fantastic schools, awesome food, and the amazing proximity to New York City. I work in higher education as a college admissions counselor. I enjoy my job very much but frankly it does not pay well enough. It is a state job so the benefits are great and it is paying for my masters degree but more about that later.
I have loved real estate for many years, starting with shows on HGTV. Selling homes and Flipping homes are two REI opportunities that I really would love to dive into. I understand that I do not need to be a real estate agent to be an investor but I believe this will help me with my education on the subject. I've listened to a very large amount of the Bigger Pockets podcasts and other podcasts on REI along with reading books such as Rich Dad Poor Dad ( haven't finished yet just bought it) and the Millionaire Real Estate Agent (great read). I believe I have a good understanding on this and I really want to take the plunge to learn more. This is why I've decided to first take real estate classes and also I hope to find a mentor willing to help me/show me the ropes.
Now here is the situation that I need help and advice with. I do beg please do not make fun or make me feel dumb about this because trust me, I've kicked myself in the butt about this already. I went to a very expensive private college. I was young and didn't understand what debt was and at the time didn't care as I only really cared about going to my 'dream school'. Now I am in a lot of debt in the upper 100's. I have not had to pay them back yet but I make payments when I can. Remember I work for the state, great benefits not great pay. I have pretty okay credit that ranges between 700-730. Depending on the time of the year I can see the score dip a little under 700 but doesn't stay there long. I do not have any savings and I do not have a rich family, hell my parents have lived pay check to pay check all their lives. Now I made mistake in my life, I get it, but I feel that REI can help me fix these mistakes, help me make a good cushion for my parents as they are getting older, and of course help me create a living situation for my future family as well where my past mistakes of student loans won't ruin my kids future or my significant others future.
Loans are going to kill me I know but I believe I can over come this with REI. I don't know how many have heard the bigger pockets podcasts about a woman named Linda who was 600k in debt. I thought to myself "this woman was 600k in debt, shes alive and shes doing well, I can do this too". This is the podcast that opened my tear filled eyes. Now she has many more connections than I do but that Is why I have joined BP. So thanks to everyone who worked on that episode as that was my starting point with BP !
Thank you all so much for taking the time to read this. I wish you all the best in your REI endeavors.
-Ivan
P.S. Still working on my profile right now so I hope to be done with it soon !