Hello from Chicago

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Hello all! My name is Natalie and I live in the Chicagoland area (Yeah, Blackhawks!). I currently work at an insurance company, grinding away at the 9-5, but I'm hoping to get out within the next few years and work for myself :) My background is in aviation, but I am looking to switch gears and focus on something a bit more rewarding. I've always been interested in real estate and I'm finally ready to do something about it. I am particularly interested in wholesale and rental properties.

For now, I am looking to network and learn as much as I can. I can't wait to dive into all the information on this site and to hear from anyone interested in talking to me.

Best of luck, everyone!

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*********** - I wish I was going to the parade, unfortunately I'll be at work instead. Thanks for the link, I'd love to check out some REI Clubs.

Ned Carey, thank you for the beginners guide. I need to get a grasp on the basics before I do anything. I just hope it has lots of pictures ;)

Ali Boone - I studied aviation flight management and was a Certified Flight Instructor for a while. I'm in aviation insurance now, but I still love flying and I try to get up in the air as much as possible. Are you involved in aviation as well?

Brandon Turner & Wendell De Guzman - I am such a newbie that I don't even know where I want to start. I haven't toyed around with many ideas just yet. I know that I want to try my hand at flipping because it seems extremely challenging and rewarding, which is right up my alley. I'm going to check out some beginner's guides and get a game plan together. Wendell - my short term goal is just to wrap my head around all of this information. I always imagined that my first flip would be a live in flip because it seems less risky, so I suppose I should start looking at homes that are within my budget and have some room for improvement. Since it's a place I would live, I would try to stay around the West/Northwest suburbs of Chicago because I work in Naperville.

Mehran Kamari - I'm definitely going to check out your profile and see what I can learn. Fingers crossed we both get out of the 9-5 sooner rather than later!