Newbie from Bronx, NY just getting started in the NYC / NJ area

[David Broadbelt]

Hi BiggerPockets,

I am a very new investor just getting started in the NYC / NJ area. I am 31 and currently live/rent in Bronx, NY and work in Valhalla, NY (Westchester) as a Network Engineer. I have been interested in Real Estate or really just owning a "house hack" for a few years now, but was not going about it in the best way. After I graduated in December last year, I suddenly had alot of extra time after work and started looking more into Financial Independence, where I of course came across Bigger Pockets.

Being a BP member for a few months, I have been educating myself as much as possible through the podcast, forums, blogs, webinars and mostly books. I also reached out to an investor (who happened to be on a BP podcast) on his personal blog and attended a NNJ meetup. As my first leap, I entered a joint venture for a flip in North Carolina by contributing cash. Long-term, I am interested in buy-hold rentals for passive income, becoming financially free, and also to build generational wealth.

Currently, I have a pre-approval and actively looking in the North New Jersey area for a multifamily property for my first house hack. I am looking forward to learning more, networking, and now contributing to the community.