First post! New Investor to Austin, Texas and Laredo

[Brandon M.]

Hey BP fam!

I am 22 and looking to get started investing in Austin, Texas and the surrounding areas and open to dealing in San Antonio and Laredo area (Where my Mom just started her own contracting company if anyone invest there!)

Bit of a background, I moved around the Austin area and San Antonio before finishing High school in Laredo, Texas. I recently moved back to Austin 2 years ago and wanted to grind working 2 jobs (full time overnight stocking at a grocery store, then working a part time shift afterwards at discount tire) and a side hustle (mowing lawns when I had free time) and literally working myself sick from lack of sleep. I kept thinking there has to be a better way. I read the book Rich Dad Poor Dad, and my brain just about melted. My whole life was a lie! Literally everything I knew about money changed. I eventually ditched all three for one job with much higher pay and overtime, as a UPS driver. (It didnt take long for me to figure out this wasn't the best idea either.) And eventually found my way here to you guys at BiggerPockets.

I have been studying as much about REI as I've been able to with my free time for the last several months and I'm ready to start taking action. I feel like I have a good understanding of what it takes to be successful in this business but I would like to hear how some of you may have gotten started. ( Especially in the central tx area)

1) What specifically did you do to start generating a solid income of leads? -What worked/failed?

2) Did you pick a niche right away or did you fall into a niche working with what you were given? -What was your ideal niche to start in? -Why did/why couldn't that work for you?

3) How many leads were you analyzing weekly leading up to your first deal? - Is Zillow really a good place to practice analyzing? - Is Direct Mailing over saturated?

4) How did your first deal play out? -How did you fund it? -Strategy used? -Exit Strategy? -Issues?

5) What advice would you give yourself if you were in my position and had to start all over again?

Maybe you don't have time to answer all of these questions but hopefully 2 or 3 that stand out to you?

Im looking forward to hearing what you guys have to say!

Goals, What I'm doing currently: I hear about leads through word of mouth from people I know and I've currently been analyzing/pursuing a few deals a week for the last month. I also pursue any leads I may find driving for dollars while I'm working (I'm usually in Lakeway/Bee Cave area). I've attended a couple meetups here in Austin and am thinking about attending a workshop from the local RE Club (3 days for the 12 ways to purchase a house, wrap-around, sub-to, owner finance etc..for free basically just pay to join the club which is $100.) And of course reading up on the BiggerPockets blogs/forums. I'm also finishing reading BPs The book on long-distance real estate investing, and want to read The book on low and no money down and Finding and funding great deals (hopefully all 3 by the end of the week) and then begin my search for a solid agent, building my team, and start bringing in more leads.

Short term goals (1-3 months): I am interested in getting my first flip started in the next month or so to get that infamous first deal out of the way. (It would most likely need to be a flip/wholesale since I am not "bankable" for a mortgage yet)

Not so short term (5-8 months): Some time towards the end of summer moving into a SMF (Preferably a 4-plex) when my current lease ends and credit score/time with job should be good enough to be bankable and do a BRRRR/Live in flip/House hack.

Long term (3-5 years): BRRRR my way from SFH and SMF into large multi family.

Very long term(5-15 years): Continue growing a scalable business in RE (still havent figured out exactly what direction that will be in) or Grant Cardone 2.0 in syndications (Sky's the limit right?)

And I would greatly appreciate any opportunity to go out and learn how this all works in the real world.

Thanks for your replies in advance!

Brandon,