The home of the free the land of the investors!

[Alexander Cercone]

Hi everyone, I’m Alex and I’m soon to be heading home from my long 3 year station in Okinawa Japan with the Marines. Let me tell you I’ve never been more proud and excited to be an American! I may kiss that sweet American soil when I get to the home land. My wife and I (and our two pups) are relocating to a new area in South Carolina but haven’t decided on an exact location. We are originally from Ohio but we want to move into a better market and we like the area. I’m really trying to get some advice on what are the hottest markets in SC for multi family, 800-1200 / mo. We plan on living in our first MF investment, I think that’s called house hacking. I’ll be getting my real estate license for a day job but I want more than anything to become an investor and buy that true freedom that real estate can offer. I’ve been listening to the BP podcasts, read Rich dad poor dad, BP Buying real estate is no or low money down, and am currently looking to read a book on networking and I’d love some suggestions! In closing I’m so excited to be apart of this community and chase the dream.

[Jared Viernes]

@Alexander Cercone, I left the active duty Army to become a Real Estate Agent / Investor just like you.  Some things that could help you as an Agent / Investor.  Especially since you like listening to podcasts:

1) Start listening to the "Super Agents Live" podcast by Toby Salgado; great stuff in there to work as a Real Estate Agent.

2) Start listening to a lot of audible books to supplement you podcasting.  "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill; "How to Win Friend and Influence People" - by Dale Carnegie; "Relentless" by Tim Grover; "7 Levels of Communication" - by Michael Maher; SOOOOOOO many more great books.  I take what was previously my "PT" time in the Army (0430-0730) to go on runs and get in some great motivation and learning.

3) Find your Niche as an Agent. As a veteran, you can easily start working the Veteran and Military Niche by signing up with Veteran's United and other VA Loan specialists to be a preferred agent. This niche is a little hard to get jump started but if you integrate into your local veteran community you should start seeing business.

4) Start farming the area you live in during your morning runs.  Hand-deliver a newsletter to houses in your neighborhood to provide value and potentially get some listings.

5) Start doing Broker Price Opinions (BPOs) for lenders and BPO companies so you can learn your local market.  These take a lot of time to start but you will get better and eventually learn to really understand ARVs and your area.

6) Use your knowledge of the area; income from selling houses; and network developed throughout your working to find those great deals and invest!

Good luck!