Flirting with REI for the past decade & ready to take the plunge.

Flirting with REI for the past decade & ready to take the plunge.

Investor · Colorado Springs, CO · Member since 2017 · 65 posts · 5 votes

Hello,

My name is Mitz Sumilang. I'm a new investor in the Colorado Springs area. I moved here in the summer of 2015 and just recently started to look into real estate investing "again". I currently own a SFR back in Rhode Island that I am currently renting out as an investment unit.

I recently hooked up with a group of college friends to form an REI group. We will all be putting up equal amounts of capital to purchase and rehab properties in the Massachusetts area to flip. We have one member that has been flipping properties for the past few years and he is basically showing us the ropes. He and I are currently under contract on an REO as a pilot program. Unfortunately it has taken us over a month to clear the title because the bank is dragging their feet.

A little backstory on my REI. Almost a decade ago, my wife and I attended a Robert Kiyosaki seminar and we were convinced to purchase their Wholesaling package which cost about $10k. In my opinion, the seminar was not very helpful. Left many questions unanswered and we were left with the option to pay several more thousand for a mentor which we were reluctant to do. Safe to say our Wholesaling career did not last very long. I can't say it was a total waste. The knowledge we did gain focused our first home search to foreclosures. This is now our investment unit back in RI which we purchased at a great price for a great neighborhood cash flowing $250/month. Before the seminar, I was eyeing a much bigger house with all the perks including a pool for about 3 times the purchase price. I guess you can say the $10k seminar saved us even more in a way.

Now that I'm back in the real estate investing mindset, I've been all in. The goal is to attain passive income through rental properties(mainly multi-units) to allow more time to help others. My wife and I (including our young son, Apollo) have been going to downtown Colorado Springs every weekend for the past year to hand out food bags to the homeless. I'd like to get to a point where I can hire these homeless men and women to help with demos on properties. With even higher hopes that I can get some of these people back on their feet working again, possibly even as general contractors. Another goal is go build enough passive income that we can leave on missionaries across the globe to help the less fortunate. 

My strategy is to purchase distressed properties to rehab and either flip or BRRRR. Currently looking at the Colorado Springs/Pueblo areas as they are the closest in proximity for a new investor. I've begun attending local REA meetings and have made a few connections. Obviously, the bigger my network, the better. So I'm still in need of contractors, plumbers, electricians, accountant, real estate lawyer, realtors, etc. Trying to build up my contact list so I can be ready when I come across any potential deals. Even went driving for dollars yesterday with the wife as the kid slept in the car seat.

If you've made it this far, I appreciate you taking the time to read my introduction. Don't be surprised to see me asking you questions in these threads. I'm a motivated learner and soak things in like a sponge. Feel free to say hi. 

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  • Bill S.Pro Member
    Moderator
    Rental Property Investor · Denver, CO · Member since 2013 · 4k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    9y

    @Mitzmichael Sumilang welcome. Great job in taking some action. Sounds like you have a plan and a direction. That is a very helpful start. At any rate, use the search feature as much as possible as many generic questions have been answered many times over with great answers. At the same time don't be shy about posting if it's something you can't find or is specific to a particular situation.

  • Investor · Colorado Springs, CO · Member since 2017 · 65 posts · 5 votes
    9y

    Appreciate the warm welcome @Bill S. I'm sure there is a wealth of knowledge already posted in these forums. Thanks. 

  • Real Estate Agent · Brooklyn, NY · Member since 2014 · 250 posts · 60 votes
    9y

    @Mitzmichael Sumilang

    Welcome to the site, Mitzmichael!

  • Investor · Colorado Springs, CO · Member since 2017 · 65 posts · 5 votes
    9y

    Thank you @Iverem Rose

  • Colin SmithBusiness Member
    Realtor · Colorado Springs, CO · Member since 2013 · 989 posts · 447 votes
    9y

    @Mitzmichael Sumilang,

    I think you have a fantastic long term goal to be helping and serving our local community and ministries abroad. It's always good to see those of similar mindsets!

  • Real Estate Consultant · Colorado Springs, CO · Member since 2013 · 325 posts · 117 votes
    9y

    @Mitzmichael Sumilang - thanks for posting. Nothing like a financial goal tied to our higher purpose. Build your dream team, stay the course and most importantly, take action!

  • Real Estate Agent · Melrose, MA · Member since 2016 · 22 posts · 7 votes
    9y
    Welcome Mitzmichael Sumilang ! Where in MA are you looking? Mind sharing your criteria? Thanks!
  • Investor · Colorado Springs, CO · Member since 2017 · 65 posts · 5 votes
    9y

    @Colin Smith it's easier to stay motivated when you're doing for more than yourself. Thanks for commenting. 

  • Investor · Colorado Springs, CO · Member since 2017 · 65 posts · 5 votes
    9y

    @Norberto Villanueva that is the steps I'm taking now, building that dream team. Glad to have found Biggerpockets to connect with like minded people. I'll see you tonight at the meeting. 

  • Investor · Colorado Springs, CO · Member since 2017 · 65 posts · 5 votes
    9y

    @Dan Pezzano we are targeting the Worcester area. My partner is in charge of finding deals because he's local to that area. We look for distressed homes to rehab and flip. The property we have in contract was from an auction. 

  • Real Estate Investor · Murrieta, CA · Member since 2016 · 34 posts · 11 votes
    9y

    @Mitzmichael Sumilang welcome to the site! I too am fairly new to BP. Not sure if you had a chance to read it yet, but the beginners guide is a great resource for us newbies.

    http://www.biggerpockets.com/real-estate-investing

  • Investor · Colorado Springs, CO · Member since 2017 · 65 posts · 5 votes
    9y

    Thanks @Jairo Garcia. I did read the beginners guides. I'm on biggerpockets every day. I listen to podcasts every day too. A wealth of knowledge. 

  • Real Estate Agent · Watertown, MA · Member since 2015 · 366 posts · 77 votes
    9y

    Welcome Mitz, Yes BP is a wealth of knowledge and just keep at it and you'll do fine. Real Estate has hair on it and it's not what the fix and flip TV shows make it out to be. 

  • Real Estate Agent · Amesbury, MA · Member since 2012 · 65 posts · 32 votes
    9y

    What towns are you looking at in MA?

  • Investor · Colorado Springs, CO · Member since 2017 · 65 posts · 5 votes
    9y

    @David Briley we're targeting the Worcester/Boston areas. 

  • Investor · Colorado Springs, CO · Member since 2017 · 65 posts · 5 votes
    9y

    @Corey Melkonian I've been in BP non stop since I registered. My goal is to listen to all 210+ podcasts in the next several weeks while continuing to research my area's properties. 

  • Real Estate Agent · Watertown, MA · Member since 2015 · 366 posts · 77 votes
    9y

    That's great Mitz, the information is like drinking water from a fire hose. I wish you well. 

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