Newbie "wanna be" investor yet to do a deal

[Jacob Stone]

How's it going fellow bigger pockets members! My name is Jacob Stone I'm 21 years old and I currently live in the San Marcos, TX area. I attend Texas State University and I'm working toward my construction science management degree (slowly but surely working towards the degree). I've been ghosting bigger pockets for the last 3-4 months and I figured it was time to introduce myself. I spend a few hours a day learning about real estate investing or analyzing real estate. I'm currently searching the web for duplexes in the San Marcos or Tyler, TX area (that's where my family is located). My challenges ahead of me are of course capital for a down payment being my leasing consultant job pays a low hourly wage and a few very negative marks on my credit report that I'm actively working on reversing. If anyone would like to offer words of encouragement or share their story on how they dealt with similar challenges please by all means.

[Guy Gimenez]

@Jacob Stone

I'm just north of you Jacob (Buda, TX). There is no short answer here but what you need more than anything right now is relationships. With the right relationships, you'll find the funds, experience, knowledge, etc. you need to get off the ground. You'll also have to determine if REI will be a hobby or a business for you. If you want to build a business, you'll have to determine what you're willing to give up in your current life to do it.

I highly recommend you join a couple hundred investors at a local REI meeting this next week in Austin (PM me for details...and no, this is not a pitchfest...it's an educational and relationship building group). It's in north Austin so it'll be a long drive for you but again, if you're not willing to do the uncomfortable, you're not likely going to build a business anyway.