New Member from Seattle, WA

[Harrison Melton]

Hello, everyone!  My name is Harrison Melton.  I am 22 years old, and have finally decided to explore my interest in real estate investing.  I majored in finance at the University of Washington, and work as an Android mobile app developer.  In my free time, I enjoy reading, working out, exploring the outdoors, and exploring Seattle!

My real estate goals for the year are:

• Build a network of real estate investment professionals
• Narrow down my interests in specific areas of real estate investment
• Create a roadmap I can follow toward my first investment

The areas I'm most interested in at the moment are buy-and-hold rental properties (probably out of state, since I cannot afford the Seattle area) and flipping.  These may change, though!  I would love to meet and network with professionals in other areas of real estate investment, to find out if there are other types of investing I might like better.

Thanks for taking the time to read my introduction.  Please feel free to message me, if you want to talk!

[Jake Alger]

Hi Harrison,

Welcome to BP!

I too studied finance in college and also have a background in tech.  However, I attended WSU :)

Real Estate has been a great path for me and can be for many.  Depending on your strategy, which sounds like you're working to figure out, you may find yourself loving real estate so much that you ultimately make it your "job."

I can understand your hesitance to the market here in Seattle.  It has been a crazy one to say the least.  While it is hard to find cash-flowing properties, they can be found.  They take time, effort and moving quickly when found in order to secure the property. 

Flipping, is something I would tread lightly with, especially if you're new.  Perhaps partnering with an experience house flipper would be advisable before pulling the trigger.  While there is tons of money to be made in our Seattle market, it's a fairly shark-infested market when it comes to cash offers and finding value.  Working with a professional who knows the ins and outs of the market and the areas you're trying to target is what'd I'd recommend.

I think you're starting on the right path.  Network, ask questions, form a strategy, and, oh yea, ask questions!  The more you can learn, the better off you'll be.  Learning from those who have been there, done that, and are willing to advise / help you will be your biggest leg up when you decide to jump in.

Feel free to contact me with questions anytime!

- Jake