Hello From Northern Virginia

[Davis Sessums]

Hi everyone!  My name is Davis and I'm pretty new to the real estate investment game.  I got my RE license last year and I have done a few deals but my goal is to start my own investment group with my wife.  My short term goals are to do some flips and use that money to buy and hold long term small multi family units.  I've been in fire/rescue and emergency management for over 15 years and I'll continue to do that while getting this venture off the ground, but my schedule is flexible enough to where I can dedicate a large amount of my time to this endeavor.  

I'm definitely still in the early learning phase of things.  I've been listening to every bigger pockets podcast every morning on my way to work and I've definitely learned a lot so a big big thank you to Josh and Brandon for doing the interviews.  I'm reading every book and talking to other investors as I find them.  

A few things I've picked up on is that the NOVA region is not a good market to find deals in.  My uncle has done some buy and holds with some mid size multi families in DC but he had the cash to get in them where as I don't.  So I have to find a market that's relatively close to me but with good deals on flips.  I've been looking a lot at the Richmond area and I'm thinking about the Baltimore area as well.  If anyone has any advice on these areas and the NOVA/metro D.C. Area in general I'd love to hear about it.  Thanks!

[Clifton Kaderli]

@Davis Sessums

Welcome! I am in Winchester. Deal finding is competitive nearly everywhere now. Know your market cycles of when "good" transitions to "too good". What happened the last time the NOVA market pushed buyers out to Winchester is that the rubber band snapped when the market went down and they all went back. 

Now the migration out route 7 is westward again. History repeats. If you are flipping, then you are more vulnerable to a market shift than if you have a back up exit strategy to rent the unit. Flips on larger homes are more profitable and the lure is seductive. 

Enough of cautionary tales. PM me if you would like to work together in some of the prospecting activities that I have underway. I am seeking individuals to do things like drive for dollars when it snows, reach out to pre-foreclosures... I can help process leads with my admin team. 

There is also a group that meets on this side of the mountain:
https://www.meetup.com/Shenandoah-Valley-Real-Esta...

We post all of our meetings on BP as well. 

Hope this helps. Let me know if you are in Winchester. I'd love to meet and share thoughts and resources.