Hello BP! Newbie here from Naperville, IL (Chicago suburb)

[Alexander W.]

Hi everyone,

My name is Alex. I've been a long-time listener to the Bigger Pockets podcast but have finally decided to make a profile and try and branch out a bit more. I graduated from college roughly 2 years ago and have been working at an accounting firm ever since. I am a licensed CPA in the state of Illinois. My current goal is to find a duplex and rent out half of it to a tenant within the next year or so. An interesting fact about me is I have a 2 year old who is very fun! 

Anyone in the Naperville or greater Chicago area? Would love to network and learn as much as I can. I'm pretty new to all of this, but am eager to learn and do my first deal.

Hope everyone enjoys the rest of the weekend!

Alex

[Victor So]

Welcome Alex! There is a wealth of information on BP. I’m a newbie investor myself and I benefited by listening to the BP podcasts, every single one of them. They were tremendously helpful! I wish you good luck on your journey!

[Scot Howat]

There's a real estate meet up tomorrow night (Monday) at 6:30p at the Hyatt in Lisle.  It's for a group called Chicago Area Real Estate Investors Association (CAREIA.org).  

I'll be there working the library table.  Come say hi!  The networking starts at 6:30p and the presentation starts at 7pm.  

[Dave Visaya]

Hello @Alexander W., welcome to the site! It's great to have you here.

[Clifford Pala]

Welcome aboard! I have rental properties in the McHenry, IL area - If your ever in the area (far Northwest Suburbs of Chicago), I would be happy to talk real estate over coffee!

[Account Closed]

Hi everyone!

I’m also a recent graduate. I currently live and work downtown as an accountant. I just learned about BP while browsing some real estate podcasts on the L this morning; I can’t wait to see what it can offer!

Real estate is my main interest. I’m in the “I have no clue how or where to start” boat, so I’m hoping to break into some networks and any conventions in the area.

I’m currently looking into buying my first condo downtown, with hopes of renting it out within the next 3-5+ years and buying a permanent residence in the city. I definitely want to grow with some other rental units along the way, if possible. As mentioned above - I just don’t know where to start. I’d love to network with the Chicago-area professionals and get going with my aspirations in real estate.

Ryan

[Matt Motil]

Welcome to BP Alexander! Glad you joined!

[Aziz Raji]

Welcome to BP ! @Alexander W.

[Harjeet Bhatti]

Welcome to BP!

[Bradley Calvin]

@Alexander W. welcome to BP! Please feel free to reach out with any questions. I graduated about 2 years ago as well, and was looking to house hack just as you are (live in one unit, rent out the other(s)). BP provided invaluable help which lead to my first property, a fourplex in the NW suburbs. 

I want to share some great resources I saw @Dmitriy Fomichenko  provide to a new member, which should help you get started. 

Find and connect with other BP members that are in your area: http://www.biggerpockets.com/meet
Set up keyword alerts to be notified of the topics that interest you: http://www.biggerpockets.com/alerts
Read Beginner’s Guide: http://www.biggerpockets.com/real-estate-investing
Check out BP Podcasts: http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/category/podcast/

If you wish to tag someone in the conversation on the forum, type @ followed by their name and then select the name of that person which should appear below the comments box. He or she will be notified of being tagged so that the conversation will continue.  

[Justin Pillion]

Welcome @Alexander W.. I'm local if you ever want talk real estate shoot me a message.

[Nik Patel]

Hi Alexander,
I am Software Engineer and a freelancer by profession wanting to start investing in Real estate. I have been passively learning through Bp and books. Time for me to take action now. Let’s connect to discuss and help each other move forward

[Kashif Khan]

Hi Alex, I work in the area of Risk Managmemt in the loop and purchased my first home 3 months ago in Bolingbrook. I live with my wife and two toddlers. Now I am looking to invest in a rental property and grow my portfolio rapidly in the next 5 years to retire from full time work. Would love to connect or partner up with anyone in the area. 

[Jill DeWit]

@Alexander W. Welcome to BP.

It seems like a simple thing, but reaching out in BiggerPockets about getting started as a real estate investor is a great first step.

Congratulations and I wish you a ton of success.