Newbie from Ontario, Canada

Newbie from Ontario, Canada

Rental Property Investor · British Columbia, Canada · Member since 2020 · 5 posts · 1 vote

Hello everyone!

My name is Mary McGregor, an aspiring real estate investor newbie from Ontario, Canada :). My family and I are living in Kingston since 2017, due to my service in the military, we tend to move every 2-4 years. We are suppose to be posted to Guelph this summer but since COVID 19 pandemic outbreak waiting for confirmation or cancellation of the posting. 

I started to learn about real estate investing over 10 years ago by reading Robert Kiyosaki's and Robert Allen's books, and discovering Don Campbell's ACRE system. I loved the idea of systematic approach, analysis and numbers game. But I held my "finger on a trigger for too long" and in a state of fear-impairment never dove into REI ..allot was at stake OR so I thought.. posting to Victoria & Vancouver BC (extremely expensive real estate market), raising two small children on only one average family income (barely meeting the ends), demanding work (out of the area taskings, 24/7 duty).. BUT all of the excuses and distractions aside my curiosity and excitement to learn about real estate investment never ceased.

In February I drove to the library grabbed 12 books on real estate, finished them within 2.5 weeks and felt that I was back in the game, starting point - grid (0;0). I dissected my fears and realized that I couldn't trust my knowledge based on literacy only so I searched in hopes to connect with real estate enthusiasts and investors. It was an absolute joy to find BiggerPockets! The amount of information was overwhelming at first but I returned every day, started to listen 3 - 4 podcasts a day, analyse 4 - 10 deals, read forum's expertise .. just trying to absorb as much information as I can. Conceptually I unveiled my real estate puzzle, it's time to come out of the shadows :). My game plan is to start conservatively, single houses/duplex buy and hold, then move into BRRRR and Fix&Flip.

The BiggerPockets community is absolutely amazing from warm welcomes to free flowing savvy advises backed with years of expertise. Thank you everyone! 

Kind regards, 

Mary

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  • Matthew Irish-JonesBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Buffalo, NY · Member since 2017 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    6y

    @Mary McGregor welcome to BP and thank you for your service.  I started with Rich dad poor dad as well.  Lots of free information on the site that is really useful.  The BP publications are all great reads as well. 

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  • Residential Real Estate Broker · Kitchener, Ontario · Member since 2014 · 687 posts · 370 votes
    6y

    Hi Mary.  Thank you for your service.  It sounds like you have analysis paralysis.  Find one good deal this year and do an offer on it and then you will find it much easier to grow and do more deals.   Good luck!

  • Andrew SyriosPro Member
    Moderator
    Residential Real Estate Investor · Kansas City, MO · Member since 2014 · 10k+ posts · 5k+ votes
    6y

    Welcome to BP Mary!

  • Rental Property Investor · British Columbia, Canada · Member since 2020 · 5 posts · 1 vote
    6y

    @Matthew Irish-Jones thank you! Yes plenty of great information, appreciate the support. 

  • Rental Property Investor · British Columbia, Canada · Member since 2020 · 5 posts · 1 vote
    6y

    Roy, you are absolutely correct regarding analysis paralysis. Thank you for the advise, will embrace and follow it. 

  • Rental Property Investor · British Columbia, Canada · Member since 2020 · 5 posts · 1 vote
    6y

    Thank you Andrew. 

  • Craig CurelopBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Post Falls, ID · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    6y

    Welcome to BiggerPockets @Mary McGregor!

    Thank you for your services as a military and great to have you here in BP site! Keep on educating yourself by browsing, reading, listening and building your network. We have other successful members to learn from their success stories and experiences. I am sharing to you some of my initial recommendations:

    1. Subscribe to the BiggerPockets Money and Rookie Podcasts

    2. Attend the FREE WEBINARS

    3. Attend a Meetup in Your Area

    4. Purchase the Beginner Books: How to Invest in Real Estate, Set for Life, The House Hacking Strategy

    5. Peruse the forums! Ask questions! Answer Questions!

    Good luck in your REI journey! Keep safe and see you around the site!

    Best regards,

    @Mary McGregor

  • Rental Property Investor · British Columbia, Canada · Member since 2020 · 5 posts · 1 vote
    6y

    Thank you Craig for the valuable recommendations. Your input is highly appreciated.  

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