long time podcast listener - just joined website

[Fred H.]

Hello,

Just joined Bigger Pockets last week after having been a regular podcast listener for several months. I'm not new to REI but have been out of the game for quite a while. My background is in low-income housing and community development working mostly for nonprofits as a single family project manager but I've been working side deals for myself for over the past 12 or so years. I did my first buy and hold in the late 90's using a cash advance on a credit card - I heard someone on the podcast mentioning they did that too. My cousins were contractors so with my credit and their strong backs we were able to get the property in appraisal condition in about 4 months which then allowed me to take out a commercial mortgage and pay them and all creditors. I rented that for about three years and eventually sold it to the tenant for a nice profit.

I also did a few wholetale deals with an equity partner in the early 00's when the market was beginning to soar. BTW, didn't know there was a term for it until I heard it on a BP podcast.

Currently I own two properties in my neighborhood one of which cash flows very nicely and the other just starting to now that I have the right tenant in there.

Now to my point. I've recently been downsized out of my full time position and though I will be seeking FT employment again I want to get back into REI. I'm also lucky to have a wife who is still gainfully employed. I am also a licensed RE agent and a member of my local board so I have MLS access.

I have grown terribly risk averse though and may need some encouragement. I am accumulating my list of questions but will try scouring the forums first.

-fred