New to real estate investing; an introduction

[John Freed]

        I have been really nervous to write this introduction for several days. However, I have seen some of the BiggerPockets podcasts on Youtube, and agree that there is no time like the present to put myself out there.

        My name is John Freed and I am from southern California. I am 24 years old, and I am currently a graduate student pursuing a degree in Materials Science and Engineering. Here is a little background about myself and why real estate investing appeals to me!

        I have never been "conventional". In high school, I decided that I wanted to go and see Germany. However, for a low income family that was never really a possibility. Looking for resources I found a government program that allowed me to attend a German high school for a year with no money of my own. I couldn't afford college, so I traveled across the country to Maine, to attend a college that funded me completely based on financial need and good grades. After college I found myself back at my childhood home. My degrees I had thought interesting in school(B.A. History / B.A. Government & Legal Studies) didn't hold my interest any longer. I was in a rut and spent a good several months not doing much of anything. Then I found an amazing program in Boston.

        While my undergraduate degrees were in the arts, this program allowed me to take foundational STEM classes in order to skip over a B.S. in engineering and begin my studies in a masters program. I couldn't afford the high price tag of the school, but the opportunity was too good to pass up. I met all the prerequisite courses over the next year and a half at my local community college. I am in the process of taking my last foundational course next semester for my program, and will take out a federal student loan to cover the cost of a year of study in Boston, which I hope to pay off soon after graduation.

        So, why real estate? When I was 15 or so I had goal to own a house free and clear. My parents are still paying the mortgage of their own house, and beyond its equity, have no plan for retirement. My interest for real estate has come back with vengeance. I figured now that I have access to a career that would provide me with more starting capital, I could help out my parents and maybe reach my old goal along the way! 

        Ironically, one of the first books I've read on real estate (which lead me to this website), was Brandon Turner's book " The Book on Investing in Real Estate with No (and Low) Money Down". I felt like a lot of the basic principals he outlined in his book matched where I am coming from, starting my journey by any means!

        I am really excited to meet any, and everyone who spent even a moment of their time to click on this post!