new investor in northern virginia (metro dc)

[Laura A.]

Hi all,

I'm a new investor in the metro DC area, based in northern virginia. My 'day job' is in marketing and communications, but when I'm not doing that, I'm focused on finding REI deals. Real estate is my passion and has interested me for a very long time.

I started my foray into investing in 2007 when the market was taking a dive. Keep in mind, at the time, I knew NOTHING about sophisticated real estate investing strategies. My strategy was just "buy low, sell high" and my goal was simply to buy a few rentals and make my money over time as the market improved and as my renters paid my mortgages, and then use the equity in those homes to buy other properties later on. I had some very limited success this way.

So, after about a year of beating my head against the wall, I had to step away from investing because, well, life was happening. But now that the waters have settled, I'm ready and able to get back in and, this time, with a smarter, more-informed approach.

Right now, I'm focused on low-risk strategies to build capital and passive cash flow until my real estate income replaces my day job income then I will focus full-time on real estate investing.

I'm looking to network with likeminded investors across the country and in my area. I'm also looking for a mentor.

Thanks!