Newbie from Sarasota, FL

[Shawn Wade]

Hi, everyone! My name is Shawn and I found this site I guess about a month ago. I've visited the forums several times, reading, even posted once asking a question, but haven't posted in the New Member Introduction area.

I've been listening to the podcasts from the beginning, one podcast a day, to really immerse myself in everything. And the quick tip in one a few days ago was to post in the new member area... So here I am to introduce myself!

I live in Sarasota, FL. It'll be 6 years next week since I've been down here. Moved here from Pennsylvania, but born in New Jersey. In Florida, I've had several jobs from grocery store to unloading trucks to delivery, but for the past three years I've been in property management leasing apartments. And it's been awesome. I enjoy it.

Last year I got the idea to pursue a real estate license. It actually just seemed like the next step in my career, and I was excited. I took the course online at my own pace and then earlier this year (nearly a year ago at this point) went for my real estate exam and passed. I did end up leaving my job and going into real estate full-time. And after a few months of not having any deals, I realized I needed to go back into work. So I am working full time again as a leasing consultant. Been back leasing apartments since July.

I wanted to do something with my real estate license, so I've been keeping it active. But as I am a single guy and no roommates, I kinda needed my full-time job. General real estate is tough though, while working a full-time job that requires you to be in an office from 9AM-6PM. So I knew I needed to do something that I could do while still working...

Before I got my license, buying properties and renting them out has often been my goal. I am not sure why I felt I had to make it in general real estate first. But buy and hold and even vacation rentals is something I believe I would thrive in. Especially with my background in property management.

I do live in an apartment right now (not where I work -- the rent is pretty pricy where I work; even WITH the discount they'd offer me), but my plan is to purchase a multi-family property (ideally a 3-unit or 4-unit) and live in one of the units. Rent out the others. Looking to make some moves with this before mid-2018, as that is when my lease is up in the apartment I'm in now. If I don't have to sign for another lease term, I'd rather not. But I don't want to jump into a deal just to jump into a deal either.

I am still educating myself. The podcasts have been awesome! These forums have been great. Looking forward to interacting with and learning from you all!

[Odie Ayaga]

Welcome to BP @Shawn Wade I love your story! You've got some good, useful real estate experience many of us don't have when searching for that first property. Have you read Set For Life by @Scott Trench or checked out the new The Money Show podcast with Scott and @Mindy Jensen? I just started the first episode today, but based on your story I'd say go ahead and listen to the first 3 episodes and then come back to the BP Podcast (which is amazing and been a life-changer for me, but you sound like you're at a point in life where The Money Show might speak to you. Good luck and keep us posted!