Aloha from Oahu! (by way of Oregon, Washington, and Nevada)

[Mitch Hyett]

Aloha, BiggerPockets!

For a few years now I have been educating myself in business and real estate, but only recently discovered the site. What an amazing community! I was surprised by how much knowledge and advice is shared here and even more so by how friendly and supportive members are. Thank you Joshua for starting this site, Brandon for your hard work, and to all of the moderators and members who contribute their expertise to help noobs like myself succeed in REI. (Had to read hundreds of posts, the beginner's guide, and listen to every podcast at least twice, before making my intro!)

Although, definitely still a novice, I have had a couple of experiences with real estate. In high school, after inheriting some cash, my sister and I purchased a waterfront condo with a dock in the Tahoe Keys and with the help of a website rented it out nightly for a significant ROI. We sold it a few years later for tuition money (sold for $175k... 2 years later, it was back on the market listed at $550k!) While in college, I purchased a condo in Reno, NV and later rented it out to purchase a SFH near the university… in 2007. I went underwater in 2008 (paid $266K at 6%, with $60K down – $20k below market, supposedly; the house was valued at $65K a year later), got my loan modified, rented it out a year later, and moved to HI with my girl for work.

Although Hawaii has an incredibly high COL, we've managed to save a respectable amount of money to invest by living well beneath our means the last 4 years. I am now prepared to leave my day job and return to REI full time. I have time and money, and I would love to partner with a more experienced investor either locally or on the US mainland (I'm really open, but I consider Seattle, Portland, and Reno my homes. Also interested in Texas, Tennessee, and Georgia. I recently read that Idaho and Utah are very hot right now.) I am willing to either fly or work remotely, but either way I plan to devote 100% of my time and effort to learning as much as possible. I will do whatever it takes. If anyone is interested in partnering, please don't hesitate to message me!

I would love to partner on SFR fix and flips and eventually move into med-large multifamily buy and holds.

My grandfather (a hard working immigrant from China with a fifth grade education) went from rags to riches by investing wisely in RE. He reminded us daily that no other investment on Earth could ever come close to owning and renting property. I’d like to follow in his footsteps.

Thanks again, everyone. I am looking forward to being an active member of the family!