Hello! My name is Ryan Hebert and I currently work as a systems analyst at a marketing company on the Massachusetts 128 beltway, meaning I take the specifications from the customers and deliver them to the software engineers (well...sort of). I grew up in Worcester County, Massachusetts, and for most of my life had a fascination with what I eventually learned in high school to be economics. I went to Bentley University for my undergraduate business degree four years ago, which led me to IT but also to general investing. I have lived throughout the northern part of the 128 beltway for coming on seven years including college, now residing in Burlington, MA.

After spending most of my time after graduation aggressively paying down my high-interest student loans, I quickly caught the investor's bug. I learned early on and still agree today that diversification of income is the most important requirement to eliminate unnecessary risk. I quickly discovered the Bogleheads and FIRE communities and became an index fund investor three years ago, maxing IRAs and 401(k)s and all that fun tax optimization. But while I will continue to see the entire world market as the backbone of my path to financial independence, the leverage and tax benefits of real estate have been undeniable the more I research. My goal therefore is to supplement my portfolio with real estate, starting with a house hack in my home state and gradually growing as I become a more seasoned investor.

I have been reading BP for several months and have obviously listened to quite a few of the podcasts. I still don't consider myself completely ready to jump in. Since I don't want real estate to be my full-time gig (yet), I'm looking at FHA and other low money down approaches to get into house hacking, and I am still getting a feel for the markets I am most interested in, which include cities like Waltham, Woburn, Billerica, and Framingham. Given my market, maximum cash-on-cash returns isn't entirely my goal, but positive cash flow along with predictable steady appreciation. Learning the ins and outs of my market is my number one priority.

I hope to spend my time here at BP soaking up as much knowledge as I can, networking with investors, agents, lenders, etc. from MA and around the country to build my base as much as possible while I build up a down payment from my primary job. I hope to one day be among you who have made mistakes and made great deals and spread investing wisdom to new members. Thank you everyone for creating this community, and I look forward to being a part of it!

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Greetings! Newbie investor from Metro Boston, MA

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