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Updated over 2 years ago, 03/25/2022

User Stats

3
Posts
7
Votes
Max Busca
  • Investor
  • Philadelphia, PA
7
Votes |
3
Posts

New Investor: Introduction & Strategy

Max Busca
  • Investor
  • Philadelphia, PA
Posted

Hi everyone, --

My name is Max and novice investor in the Philadelphia region (suburbs included). I've realized that when I am with friends I tend to talk about real estate related topics so often that I need to find more like-minded people (to ensure I keep all of my friends haha). 

To keep it short, I am looking to purchase a property in the next 4-6 months. I will be using the house-hacking strategy. I have decided to use an FHA (maybe 203k) loan and look for a 5+bed/3+bath property that can use some cosmetic repairs. My budget is about $375k. I am currently focused building out team and learning more from other BP members.

Outside of investing in real estate I'm a big sports enthusiast, travel junkie, & lover of pizza. Before you connect to talk sports w/ me you should know that I am a Philadelphia sports fan... so, you've been warned. 

Looking forward to interacting with y'all in this community. Let's connect. 

- Max Busca  

PS. I have already bought an out of state property in Memphis Tennessee via Turnkey. I am thinking about using a 1031 exchange for this next purchase. Would like to tighten up my portfolio (closer to me personally... just for starting) and not in love with my first investment property choice.

User Stats

40
Posts
33
Votes
Eric Michiels
  • Flipper/Rehabber
  • Denver, CO
33
Votes |
40
Posts
Eric Michiels
  • Flipper/Rehabber
  • Denver, CO
Replied

@Max Busca nice to meet you. I live in Denver and invest in Atlanta. It's a great market. I was in software development until 2020 and now I do real estate. I'm about to buy my 14th property next week. My plan is to do 20 in 2020. + A short term rental.

It's great to connect.

Eric

User Stats

758
Posts
284
Votes
Aigo Pyles
  • Flipper/Rehabber
  • Memphis, TN
284
Votes |
758
Posts
Aigo Pyles
  • Flipper/Rehabber
  • Memphis, TN
Replied

Welcome to BP!

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User Stats

4,256
Posts
1,441
Votes
Julio Gonzalez
Pro Member
#3 New Member Introductions Contributor
  • Specialist
  • West Palm Beach, FL
1,441
Votes |
4,256
Posts
Julio Gonzalez
Pro Member
#3 New Member Introductions Contributor
  • Specialist
  • West Palm Beach, FL
Replied

Welcome to BiggerPockets, Max! There is a great group of members on here to connect with.

  • Julio Gonzalez
  • (561) 253-6640
  • User Stats

    1,739
    Posts
    398
    Votes
    Anthoney Hanks
    • Real Estate Broker
    • Forney, TX
    398
    Votes |
    1,739
    Posts
    Anthoney Hanks
    • Real Estate Broker
    • Forney, TX
    Replied

    @Max Busca, thank you for sharing your story and wishing you success as you continue to grow.

    User Stats

    4,180
    Posts
    1,417
    Votes
    Justin Windham
    Pro Member
    • Solo 401k provider
    • Denver & Hilton Head
    1,417
    Votes |
    4,180
    Posts
    Justin Windham
    Pro Member
    • Solo 401k provider
    • Denver & Hilton Head
    Replied

    @Max Busca

    Welcome to Bigger Pockets!

    This is a great place to learn and network. A lot of forum members are very knowledgeable in their respective fields related to real estate investing.

    The site has quite a few tools that can be helpful for new members. For example, if you are looking to connect with other members near you, want to learn from people in a specific area you’d like to invest in, or have a desire to find people interested in certain topics, you could use the search feature here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/search/users


    I really like the alerts feature that can quickly guide you to current topics that may be of interest: http://www.biggerpockets.com/alerts

  • Justin Windham
  • User Stats

    294
    Posts
    245
    Votes
    Dan Powers
    • Real Estate Agent
    • Philadelphia, PA
    245
    Votes |
    294
    Posts
    Dan Powers
    • Real Estate Agent
    • Philadelphia, PA
    Replied

    @Max Busca Welcome to the Philly market! A few things you should know about the market, Philadelphia is extremely block by block, my office is in Northern Liberties where there are 600-700k houses, and a short drive north, and your in the drug capital of the city. You very much have to be aware of the block you are on because you can see your ARV values change dramatically depending on the block your on.

    In this highly competitive market I will say it may be difficult to pick something up using FHA, as a lot of houses are selling cash, with no contingencies, in short closing timelines. I would focus your search in Delaware or Montgomery county as you will have better luck finding something of those parameters in the suburbs. BiggerPockets is a great resource to help build your team, feel free to reach out if you have any questions.

    User Stats

    46
    Posts
    67
    Votes
    Drew Cheezum
    • Columbus, OH
    67
    Votes |
    46
    Posts
    Drew Cheezum
    • Columbus, OH
    Replied

    Welcome to BP @Max Busca! Definitely understand wanting to get all the real estate talk out of your system before you scare your friends off. Good luck in your search, Fly Eagles Fly!!

    User Stats

    616
    Posts
    427
    Votes
    Eric Greenberg
    • Investor
    • Philadelphia, PA
    427
    Votes |
    616
    Posts
    Eric Greenberg
    • Investor
    • Philadelphia, PA
    Replied

    Good luck with acquiring your second property a bit closer to home. Are you looking to invest in the city or in the surrounding area?

    User Stats

    1,400
    Posts
    899
    Votes
    Troy Sheets
    Pro Member
    • Developer
    • Philadelphia, PA
    899
    Votes |
    1,400
    Posts
    Troy Sheets
    Pro Member
    • Developer
    • Philadelphia, PA
    Replied
    Originally posted by @Max Busca:

    Hi everyone, --

    My name is Max and novice investor in the Philadelphia region (suburbs included). I've realized that when I am with friends I tend to talk about real estate related topics so often that I need to find more like-minded people (to ensure I keep all of my friends haha). 

    To keep it short, I am looking to purchase a property in the next 4-6 months. I will be using the house-hacking strategy. I have decided to use an FHA (maybe 203k) loan and look for a 5+bed/3+bath property that can use some cosmetic repairs. My budget is about $375k. I am currently focused building out team and learning more from other BP members.

    Outside of investing in real estate I'm a big sports enthusiast, travel junkie, & lover of pizza. Before you connect to talk sports w/ me you should know that I am a Philadelphia sports fan... so, you've been warned. 

    Looking forward to interacting with y'all in this community. Let's connect. 

    - Max Busca  

    PS. I have already bought an out of state property in Memphis Tennessee via Turnkey. I am thinking about using a 1031 exchange for this next purchase. Would like to tighten up my portfolio (closer to me personally... just for starting) and not in love with my first investment property choice.

    Hey Max, I'm in Philadelphia and have done a MFH house hack, SFH and MFH rehabs, SFH and MFH new construction, and some mixed use stuff as well. Additionally I'm a GC and build all of my own projects and my wife is a realtor and property manager. Always happy to connect with local investors.

  • Troy Sheets
  • User Stats

    519
    Posts
    451
    Votes
    Steven Goldman
    • Lender
    • Pennsylvania
    451
    Votes |
    519
    Posts
    Steven Goldman
    • Lender
    • Pennsylvania
    Replied

    Nice too meet you we both invest and lend in the Eastern Pennsylvania Market. Look forward to watching you go!

    User Stats

    3
    Posts
    7
    Votes
    Max Busca
    • Investor
    • Philadelphia, PA
    7
    Votes |
    3
    Posts
    Max Busca
    • Investor
    • Philadelphia, PA
    Replied

    I' would love to find a property in the city yet I am a bit concerned about the location for a pricetag of 400k. Not saying I can't find a deal. I am just conscious that it has to be the right street. 

    I am much more familiar w/ the NJ surrounding area (Collingswood, Haddonfield, Maple Shade..). I would be open to properties in the surrounding area as well. Both PA & NJ. 

    @Eric Greenberg - Have you had experience finding properties in the city or surrounding area? 

    User Stats

    3
    Posts
    7
    Votes
    Max Busca
    • Investor
    • Philadelphia, PA
    7
    Votes |
    3
    Posts
    Max Busca
    • Investor
    • Philadelphia, PA
    Replied

    Hey @Troy Sheets -- Thanks for your note. I appreciate it. Sounds like you and your wife make a great team! 

    Would you be open to me asking for advice here and there as I get my footing? 

    Currently, I am talking to a few potential buyers agents and would love to learn from your wife's (and yours too) experience. 
     

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    User Stats

    33
    Posts
    4
    Votes
    Justin Pencook
    • Riverton, NJ
    4
    Votes |
    33
    Posts
    Justin Pencook
    • Riverton, NJ
    Replied

    Hey Max,

    Great to hear you are looking to invest on the NJ side. You are right on the money with Collingswood area, the demand for rentals is extremely high in Camden County in general. If you ever want to talk more in detail about what our South Jersey communities can offer, please feel free to contact me and we can discuss. Most of my clients are investors and I have done several house-hack type deals this year, both on market and off. I would be happy to be a resource to your business in any way that I can. 

    User Stats

    270
    Posts
    91
    Votes
    Jordan Ray
    • Developer
    • West Palm Beach, FL
    91
    Votes |
    270
    Posts
    Jordan Ray
    • Developer
    • West Palm Beach, FL
    Replied

    Nice to meet you @Max Busca! I am in South Florida, and love to talk about real estate as well. Feel free to reach out to connect.

    User Stats

    1
    Posts
    0
    Votes
    Charissa Filion
    Pro Member
    • Rhode Island
    0
    Votes |
    1
    Posts
    Charissa Filion
    Pro Member
    • Rhode Island
    Replied

    Hi Max,
    I’m in a similar boat.  Looking to get started and definitely want to chat with my friend about real estate, but how much is too much?! 
    How did your out of state turnkey investment work out?  I started looking into becoming an equity partner out of state, but I think I’m going to try and start out buying close to home.  I feel better knowing my area and being able to check out the property.

  • Charissa Filion
  • User Stats

    1,400
    Posts
    899
    Votes
    Troy Sheets
    Pro Member
    • Developer
    • Philadelphia, PA
    899
    Votes |
    1,400
    Posts
    Troy Sheets
    Pro Member
    • Developer
    • Philadelphia, PA
    Replied
    Originally posted by @Max Busca:

    Hey @Troy Sheets -- Thanks for your note. I appreciate it. Sounds like you and your wife make a great team! 

    Would you be open to me asking for advice here and there as I get my footing? 

    Currently, I am talking to a few potential buyers agents and would love to learn from your wife's (and yours too) experience. 
     

     Sure, message me any time. 

  • Troy Sheets
  • User Stats

    63
    Posts
    30
    Votes
    Kevin Santos
    Pro Member
    • Realtor
    • Audubon, NJ
    30
    Votes |
    63
    Posts
    Kevin Santos
    Pro Member
    • Realtor
    • Audubon, NJ
    Replied

    @Max Busca welcome! 

    I run a group for RE investors in SJ called SJREIG. You can find us on Instagram, would love to have you at one of the next meetings. It's basically a giant social event with all walks of life, and likely any type of RE investor or pro you may need. If they aren't in attendance, I can promise you someone in the room knows someone ... Good luck! 

  • Kevin Santos
  • User Stats

    9
    Posts
    7
    Votes
    Stephanie Baron
    • New to Real Estate
    • Philadelphia, PA
    7
    Votes |
    9
    Posts
    Stephanie Baron
    • New to Real Estate
    • Philadelphia, PA
    Replied

    Hi Max, welcome! I'm also a novice REI in Philadelphia. I've chosen the BRRRR strategy over house hacking (cannot do roommates again haha). Would be happy to connect to talk real estate!

    User Stats

    71
    Posts
    37
    Votes
    Saaj Patel
    • Investor
    37
    Votes |
    71
    Posts
    Saaj Patel
    • Investor
    Replied

    Max, 

    Nice to see you on here. I am a Philadelphia investor and would love to connect. I just sent you a friend request. 

    User Stats

    30
    Posts
    20
    Votes
    Lucas Bernard
    • New to Real Estate
    • Boston, MA
    20
    Votes |
    30
    Posts
    Lucas Bernard
    • New to Real Estate
    • Boston, MA
    Replied

    Hey @Max Busca, I'm also from the East coast (Boston sports fanatic) and plan to invest in whatever market I move to once I'm done with the Bay area in less than a year. Would love to connect and have some back and forth on sports if you're still interested.

    User Stats

    616
    Posts
    427
    Votes
    Eric Greenberg
    • Investor
    • Philadelphia, PA
    427
    Votes |
    616
    Posts
    Eric Greenberg
    • Investor
    • Philadelphia, PA
    Replied
    Quote from @Max Busca:

    Hi everyone, --

    How has the journey been going so far for your first Philly property?