Newbie Investor - Joe Hawes - Temperance, MI

[Joe Hawes]

Hello Bigger-Pockets!

I am an aspiring real estate investor just getting started in the Temperance, MI and Toledo, OH area. I'm 23 years old, work full time as a credit analyst, and also attending the University of Toledo for my MBA. I love the idea of investing in rental properties because of the passive income generation and the long term wealth building potential! To me that means the financial freedom to spend time with family and to give back to my community. 

Long term, my goal is to build up a portfolio of cash-flowing, 1-4 multifamily properties and trade up from there. Will it be apartment complexes? Commercial real estate? I don't know yet, but I'm excited to see how I grow along the way. 

Short term, i'm looking for my first property and I've locked down my financing. I am tearing through books, networking, and anything else to help prepare for the road ahead. The more I learn, the more I realize I need to learn (It's kind of a paradox). I would be very grateful for advice, especially on estimating rehab expenses, managing tenants, and....well...I guess I could use advice on everything haha. It's good to be here and I hope to meet more of the Bigger-Pocket's community soon!