New to real estate investing and super excited!

New to real estate investing and super excited!

Investor · Rushford, MN · Member since 2018 · 20 posts · 10 votes

My wife and I have always had an entrepreneur spirit. She read an article on Mr. Money Mustache about becoming financially independent as an Airbnb host. That led us to another article about vacation home rental is a service business rather than a passive income business, which led to another article on BiggerPockets about real estate investing, and here we are, a pro member. We are super excited and ready to find our first deal! We are being cautious and making sure the numbers work for cash flow and reading everything we can get our hands on - PLUS - listening to BP podcasts!

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Investor · Jacksonville Beach, FL | NYC | Tamarindo Costa Rica · Member since 2014 · 182 posts · 130 votes
8y

There are a bunch of ways to achieve financial independence over the long term via real estate. You should definitely weigh vacation rental vs other methods. 

We recently added 3 AirBNB vacation rentals in Costa Rica to our investment portfolio, and my advice is to consider:

1 - all potential expenses (it is higher than you might think for AirBNB, depending on location, upscale or not, outside management, etc), especially start-up furnishing expenses

2 - high and low seasons because occupancy may not be consistent throughout the year.  For example, high season is Costa Rica is great, but there are definitely a few slow months during the course of the year with less occupancy. 

3 - competition can be fierce as some markets are saturated with rentals, and reviews are important to getting bookings and it takes time to build reviews

You are definitely in the right place for learning more - good luck!

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  • Investor/Accountant/Builder · Meno, OK · Member since 2014 · 1k+ posts · 918 votes
    8y

    buy cheap houses

  • Dave VisayaPro Member
    Moderator
    Audio Engineer and Investor · Cebu City, Cebu · Member since 2013 · 7k+ posts · 881 votes
    8y

    Hello @Rodney Thompson, welcome to BiggerPockets! It is great to have you and please feel free to jump in the community - there are certainly great people around here!

    BiggerPockets
  • Christi HawkinsPro Member
    Columbus, OH · Member since 2017 · 239 posts · 142 votes
    8y

    Hi Rodney!

    Welcome to Bigger Pockets. There is a wealth of information on this website for you

  • Rental Property Investor · Colorado Springs, CO · Member since 2018 · 682 posts · 729 votes
    8y

    @Rodney Thompson 

    Hi Rodney, welcome to the forums! I recently did my first deal and BiggerPockets played a significant role in giving me the confidence to do it. I hope you and your wife have the same experience!

  • Investor · Jacksonville Beach, FL | NYC | Tamarindo Costa Rica · Member since 2014 · 182 posts · 130 votes
    8y

    There are a bunch of ways to achieve financial independence over the long term via real estate. You should definitely weigh vacation rental vs other methods. 

    We recently added 3 AirBNB vacation rentals in Costa Rica to our investment portfolio, and my advice is to consider:

    1 - all potential expenses (it is higher than you might think for AirBNB, depending on location, upscale or not, outside management, etc), especially start-up furnishing expenses

    2 - high and low seasons because occupancy may not be consistent throughout the year.  For example, high season is Costa Rica is great, but there are definitely a few slow months during the course of the year with less occupancy. 

    3 - competition can be fierce as some markets are saturated with rentals, and reviews are important to getting bookings and it takes time to build reviews

    You are definitely in the right place for learning more - good luck!

  • Investor · Rushford, MN · Member since 2018 · 20 posts · 10 votes
    8y

    Thanks for the advise @Caroline C. We originally were looking to do some Airbnb type of rental, but we have since decided that isn't the direction we would like to go.

  • Realtor · Murrieta, CA · Member since 2016 · 373 posts · 203 votes
    8y


    @Rodney Thompson

    I was about to chime in on the Airbnb but I just read your last comment :)

    What direction did you decide to go?

  • Tax CPA · Charlotte, NC · Member since 2014 · 215 posts · 186 votes
    8y

    @Rodney Thompson Welcome to BP!  MMM is a great site! I think his philosophy is a great way to get fit for RE investing. 

    Here are some of my favorite resources: 

    Podcasts

    Episode 108 - Grant Cardone... Just listen…

    Episode 283 Paul Thompson - Quite a new episode but I would think everyone would agree this is a top episode. Mainly, the systems implemented are fascinating (VA, automated offers, etc.) Plus...escape velocity...

    Episode 113 – Jay Papasan - Very practical slow and steady advice

    Episode 221 - Tim Shiner - his concept of equity build up and "shearing the sheep" shows some of the flexibility of real estate vs a 401k

    Last but not least, I strongly recommend all the tax advice given by my fellow CPAs.

    Amanda Han

    Brandon Hall

    Tax Reform Update – Brandon Hall and Amanda Han

    Linda Weygant

    Guides

    Ultimate Beginners Guide

    Forum Stickies

    BP Calculators or spreadsheets uploaded by members

    My Favorite Books

    I have to say all of the BP books…right? :)

    The Millionaire Next Door

    The Millionaire Real Estate Investor

    What Every Investor Needs to Know About Cash flow

    Hope this information can give you a good start. Feel free to reach out with any questions. 

  • Investor · Rushford, MN · Member since 2018 · 20 posts · 10 votes
    8y

    Thanks, @Account Closed ! That is quite a list! I appreciate you putting it together.

  • Tax CPA · Charlotte, NC · Member since 2014 · 215 posts · 186 votes
    8y

    @Rodney Thompson Not a problem! Hope you find it useful!

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