Newbie from League City, TX

[Michael Barry]

Hi all, newbie from League City, TX near Houston. I figured I would use this format to introduce myself and my aspirations in REI.

Current Investments:  No directly-owned investment RE yet (primary residence owned, but no investment property). I am heavy in equities and looking to diversify. I have dabbled in some crowd funding RE through Fundrise to get more passive RE exposure while I was too busy with personal life to buy my own properties.

Day job: Engineer and Project Manager in energy sector.

REI interests: To start, SFR and smaller MFR, eventually commercial and who knows?!? Also interested in STVR in locations that can cash flow. Intrigued by the BRRR method as I thought I always needed to bring 20-30% to the table for investment properties.

Goals: 2020:  Networking to build solid connections with other investors, lenders (hard money and rental property mortgages), property managers, contractors, wholesalers, RE agents, etc. Purchase first investment property to “get my feet wet” and learn the ropes. Long term goal: still in development...

Current RE experience: Purchased two primary residences, sold one.  I helped my Dad build a small home so I have basic carpentry, electrical and plumbing experience.  Also have some rehab/remodel experience with our primary residences. Not a complete newbie but definitely not an expert. 

Locations of Interest: Houston proper and surrounding cities and suburbs (commuting distance to Houston and the surrounding commercial/industrial centers).  I want to start locally at first purely to keep it simple and lower risk. Eventually I want to diversify geographically. 

Random stuff: I work downtown Houston, so I can do meetups, grab a coffee or meet for lunch, or a beer after work. I am a private pilot.  That was my 2019 goal and I finished in October. It’s something I always wanted to do and figured it was an investment in myself and a tool to use for potential business opportunities in the future. 

Thanks and I look forward to joining the BP community!