new investor with 2 properties looking to expand but stuck in job

[Sebastian I.]

Hello all!

Long story short, I'm 35 single and in a dead-end job at the family business. Went to college back in the day for passions of mine in photography/history and I still do film photography today, but I can't make ends meet with it. So I'm here for some advice.

I have electrical knowledge and really enjoy building things as well. I work for my father who has an electrical contracting business, so over the years I've learned a good amount of the trade. I'm close to getting my NYC Master Electrician's license.

Anyway I purchased my first apartment in Jersey City in 2013 and it's been the best investment I ever made and opened my eyes. I bought it at 420K with 80K down and the area has just skyrocketed in value since. I think I may have around 275-300K in equity there. Today I'm leaving for Colorado to close on a second home there in Lakewood near Denver! I purchased for 300K with 30K down. The nice thing about it is that it has a detached garage I plan on turning into a photo studio/apt. I'm very excited about it but I don't know how to proceed. I'd like to leave the family business as soon as possible and live off fixing up places and investing etc. But I can't just leave because where will I get the income to qualify for loans to get the places to fix up? I love the idea of traveling around the US buying fixer uppers for cheap in great areas and doing the work mostly myself and living in them at the same time. Anybody have any tips? 

[Diana Tian]

congratulations for your 2nd purchase! i heard a lot stories of building a big successful business in a year or two but in most of cases, it works much slower than that. you could do fix up in New Jersey while having an income until you build up more capital. in this market, it is better to take conservative approach. it is just my personal opinion. I am very risk adverse. this is probably why I am still where I am.....