New member from Charlotte, NC

[Steve Muise]

Always have been interested in buy and hold REI. Most interested in SFH.

I've been researching off & on for the last 8 months.  I've been on hold for several years because my wife was in a medical residency which she finished in Oct.  She starts work in 6 weeks.

Half way through her residency my wife gave birth to our 2-1/2 yr old daughter in her late 40's !! -- and I was already in my 50's !!  The live-in nanny wiped out my cash savings as you can imagine and that's what put me on hold.  

Took out a HELOC on my primary which has no mortgage and plan on using the equity for DP & CC on the rentals.

Pretty sure I'll be buying in the upstate SC area which is part of my sales territory so I'm fairly familiar with the area.  

My hope is that our combined income will allow us to own 2 - 3 rentals free and clear in 8 - 10 yrs. and draw $ out of our 401ks after retirement to pay off remaining properties early.

Plan on starting this spring and have already found a PM I think I'm going to work with.

I've read a couple of different opinions about selecting an agent:

1. A new RE agent who doesn't have a big portfolio and will be more likely to work hard to find investment properties

2.  Someone more seasoned who also is an investor or has experience working with investors

Your thoughts?  Thank you in advance for your feedback.