Hello from Northern Virginia!

[Will Raetz]

Hello everyone!

I'm a recent graduate from JHU (Engineering), and I've been lurking on the site for just a few weeks. I live in Northern Virginia, though with an average home listing price approaching $1M in my county, I'm focused on finding a good market to start out somewhere outside of the 'DMV'. Right now I'm considering something like Savannah, GA, or maybe Chicago. Though to be honest I don't know much about those markets yet. I'm comfortable living a distance from where I invest--I'm prepared to invest plenty of time finding the right investment.

To begin, I'm trying to lay a solid foundation in Real Estate knowledge--I've particularly enjoyed @Brandon Turner's Real estate in your twenties blog, as I am in my twenties.

At this point, I want to put together a 10 year plan, and begin to do research on good areas to invest in. I have enough to put some skin in the game--just not in Arlington!

My goals for the immediate future are: Complete a basic education in real estate investing, make friends and contacts with people who know more than I do, and begin doing some market research.

Long term, right now I aim to purchase a duplex/quad somewhere outside of the DC/Metro area, force 10% appreciation, and begin renting it (with a positive cash flow!) within a year of today.

I'll admit that right now I'm out of my depth--if anyone has any advice/criticism/questions, I'm all ears and ready to learn. Also, for members in NoVA/DC, I have a standing invitation--I will buy you lunch. Doesn't matter if you're inexperienced, I'm not searching out a guru or a mentor, just want to sit down and talk real estate for a while.

I'll be posting on the forums from time to time, probably asking questions, so I look forward to hearing from you all!

Regards,
Will