Introducing myself. Wilmington, NC Designer to Invest and learn

[Andrew Politte]

Good morning,

I'm a few days overdue introducing myself on BP.  I have been listening to the podcasts and reading up on the UBG and it's time to say hello and let the vast BP world know I'm here.

I am just getting started with RE investing.  I have not completed any transactions- but my local market is so hot at the moment.  I'm 36 years old, single, and renting...

My experience in the industry in reverse chronological order:

I have been working as a designer and project manager here in Wilmington NC for two years for a very small company.  This experience gave me the opportunity to build a network of not just subcontractors but also project managing peers and builders.  I also have at least one contact in all of the local utility and government offices, I have most of the building inspectors already saved in my phone and if I were to need any additional contacts there is a list of people that know me professionally I could call to ferret out said contact.

With this stage set I'll say that I was recently laid off from my job.  The company downsized, which was disappointing as I felt I was just hitting my stride having built the above described network, with all of my clients happy with progress and subcontractors that would prioritize working for me over other work because of my means to move projects forward without yelling at anybody 😂

Over the past few years I have taken the real estate classes for both NC and SC passed the tests but changes in plans kept me from pursuing Real Estate Brokerage as a direct career.  I did act as the sellers agent for my parent's house here in the historic downtown area of Wilmington.  

Having changed tracks several times since then, it is my full intention to take the NC RE class again and actually get an active brokers license.  I would also like to get my General Contractors License over the next year as well.  Both licenses would enable me to cover more aspects of the RE-investing ball o' wax.

I have some hands on experience building houses as a laborer working for other builders.  I have installed floors, wired fixtures, mixed and poured concrete, installed roofing material, cut tile, installed siding and more.  I am not an expert at any of these things, but working on projects with experienced contractors has taught me a lot about construction methods, but more so taught me about how professionals operate in the biz.

I have also attended architecture school at UNC- Charlotte.  Full disclosure I have one more class to take to finish my actual degree.  But five years of living and breathing design has taught me so much- including many things I use all the time as a designer and project manager.

That's the bulk of my experience outlined; I have for a long time known that property management and investing is the direction I wanted to take my career, and all these years I keep swinging back to residential management and wealth building, reminding myself again and again that it is right up my alley to pursue (and I'm not getting any younger).

Now, having been laid off on NYE, it seemed appropriate to take this time to build my business.

I don't have any savings to bring to the table (one of the problems with the last job was low pay for the level of work I was completing).  I have my experience working with my network and now the ability to bring fulltime work ethic and time dedication to ensuring success.

I have been building my business plan with the goal of drumming up private investment or partnering with somebody that has the cash to get started.  I have done some independent market research for three neighborhoods in town that are close to where I live and I expect to grow and increase value over the next ten years.

Wilmington is of a certain size and is experiencing a boon in demand.  There is also a shortage of affordable housing, rents are very high, but there are still many houses that are available and even more that are ripe for equity building via additions/renovations.

I know my introduction is pretty long- but I've wanted to show that I have the foundation to build a successful business in a market that is uniquely positioned for the economic question marks that the next few years hold.  This starting stuff is what I could really use some guidance with.  What I always tell my subcontractors:  I may be in charge, but I'm not an expert and we all need help to accomplish our shared goals sometimes, so I will work to get all the advice possible and rely on all the many people around me that know so much more than I do.

Please reach out if you are curious for more detail.  I have been working hard to structure in theory a few paths to move forward in this brief time I've had since getting laid off.  My main goal is to move upward, as opposed to laterally, during this transition.

I am also not historically a forum-posting type of person, but am willing to jump into new things (especially considering the marvelous resource I've recently discovered in Bigger Pockets)

THANKS!

Andrew