First Buy and Hold in Ocala, Florida

[Michael Hopkins]

Hello Bigger Pockets members,

My name is Michael Hopkins. I am 24 years old.I am a new investor in the Ocala, FL (Central Florida) area. I Have listened to almost every podcast and read many of the Bigger Pockets books. I first was introduced to real estate when a family friend asked me to property manage his rentals. I had and still have a full time job in construction, so this was just something I did on the side. He didn't really have much structure and i was kind of just thrown into it. I slowly got the hang of things and then ran into Bigger Pockets to answer many of my questions. I got the "real estate bug" after I started listening to Bigger Pockets podcasts.

I am happy to say that I have closed on my first buy and hold SFR. Probably not the best time to be involved in your first deal while dealing with a global epidemic (Covid-19.) I closed on February 7th and I am currently about to finish my rehab. I hope this virus will not affect getting a renter in the home. Ocala is a hot rental market so i don't think it will affect it too much.

My goal is to grow a real estate portfolio large enough to match my current income. I am in search to find another deal before the end of the year. I have a private lender that is ready to do another deal with me. If anyone in the Ocala area has has any SFR they are looking to sell feel free to send them my way. I would love to connect with more investors in the area.