Eager Newbie From Amarillo, TX

[Jacob Stephens]

Hello! My name is Jacob Stephens and I'm from Amarillo, TX. I'm currently a 21 year old looking to start in real estate investing. I have very little experience in real estate/REI other than what I've start here on the BP website and a few books I've read from Robert Kiyosaki which I guess would be where my interest on the subject was sparked. Since reading those books, I've been looking for ways to get into and start learning how to invest in real estate. In my search for answers I came across this ad on Facebook for a course on wholesaling and flipping. It was by Cody Sperber and Josh Altman, and to get signed up for it I had to make it through the introductory webinar. At the end they pitched their product and I got discouraged at the the price of the course, and really got doubtful that I would find something that I wouldn't need to charge on a credit card or borrow the money for. I decided to check into the legitimacy of that course only to find a forum post on this website where a plethora of members were saying all the information could be found here for free, which blew my mind. After doing some exploring around the forums/website I signed up and have been going through the beginners introduction course.

A few of the goals I have and wish to accomplish through real estate investing are: 1. Financial freedom and repaying my debt (student loans/car). 2. Not having to work someplace for somebody that has power/control over me. I hate feeling like my life is dependent on a job where somebody holds the power to determine my worth/value and can be replaced by anyone else. 3. I want to have the ability to retire young and live life on my own terms and not be worried about affording to live. I'm currently in an odd position where I'm not having luck finding a job and am having to scramble to pay for little necessities and I hate the feeling that comes along with not being able to figure it out. 4. I hope to start a family one day and want to be able to afford them opportunities that I wasn't given growing up. I want to be able to travel and give them experiences outside of what is familiar, as well as spending the time to watch them grow up. And lastly 5. I want to get to a financial position where I am able to help others who are less fortunate and in need. I want to be able to do something bigger than myself that can leave a lasting impression on humanity before my time is up, something that can transcend my lifetime and do good for others for years to come.

As for the avenue or niche/strategy I think would work best for me? I believe wholesaling or renting single family homes would be the thing i find most interesting, but I'd eventually like to be able to get into commercial real estate with private funding. For now I don't have the finances myself to pay for anything to start out so I'm most likely going to need a loan. The thing I believe would help me out most right now though is a mentor, somebody I could learn from and see how things are done. As for now I will continue to work my way through the guide, interact more and make connections.

Thanks for taking the time to read my introduction post! 

- Jacob