An Introduction from a New Investor

[Benjamin Houghton]

Hello BP. I wanted to use this forum to say hello to what so far seems like a wonderful community. I am still new to real estate investing but am very encouraged by the people and information here. I am an engineer by day, for now, and hopeful real estate investor by night. I recently relocated from Morgantown, WV to the Lock Haven, PA / Williamsport, PA area. Hopefully someone from the area comes along and says hello! 

[Benjamin Houghton]

@Jay Helms I received an engineering degree and got right to work in my field out of college. Great, or so I thought. As like most people I was programmed from a young age to get a specialized degree and get a job....um whats next??. After about 8 years and a ton of success in my field I finally realized that I am not and may not ever feel fully fulfilled if this is all I am ever going to do. I have a very close friend who has a ton of success in real estate investing. Over the last several years of watching and talking to him about his investments I have become more and more intrigued by what he is doing. I even bought a new house and turned my old one into a rental property. I was instantly hooked and knew this was part of my life that I was missing.

To compound things I work in a very cyclical industry and I can tell you it is scary being dependent on a job to put food on the table in a down market. Now, I don't necessarily want to just walk away from a great career, instead I want to supplement my normal income with passive income. I need less stress of what if. I want to be able to "mind my own business" as well not just kill myself making my company more and more profits all the while wondering if I will be here next year, next month, next week? The financial freedom REI can offer seems to be the perfect answer for me. I will no longer have to worry about that what if the industry crashes again (and it will) scenario. Not only can it provide stability and security but lower my stress level. I am a big believer that lowering your stress level will increase the quality of your life and the lives of those around you.