Former Journalists - Real Estate as a Plan B

[Alex Washburn]

I am no longer in the #debtfreecommunity group so I am going to post this PLAN B win here because I know a few journalists interested in a similar path.

Short back story: After viscerally acknowledging the challenges of becoming a homeowner in the SF Bay area while being employed as a journalist I tearfully acknowledged I needed a new plan. After what some would consider a very short period of consideration I decided my Plan B would be real estate investment.

I like real estate. I like travel. My success will be determined by how hard I am willing to hustle not how neatly my accumulated life experiences check the value boxes in a new industry. Perfect!

I have spent more time contemplating where to eat for dinner. 

And truthfully my journalism skills have been useful every step of the way.

The first property my husband and I purchased was a 1 bedroom Condo in Costa Rica in 2017 ( a reasonable amount of thought went into this). 

I recently took a trip to Costa Rica to invest more money into furniture and decorating. At my favorite watering hole one night I was contemplating other people's conversations over a domestic craft brew and chicken wings and I realized one of the other patrons was contemplating coming back to town for an extended stay - later in the evening when she loudly lamented the fact the condo didn't even have a microwave I seized this as an in to her conversation. 

"My place has a microwave, you should rent it next time!"

Several beers later we agreed she would come over the next day to see if my condo suited her needs (it did).

Amanda has now booked our condo from the end of September into December. (A vacation rental at 100% occupancy for such a large period of time is a very big deal.) 

If there is anything a journalist will always be good at it is chatting people up in bars. 

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Yes I still have a 9-5 as a remote contractor. I work from home and live in Chattanooga Tennessee. 

2017: 1st Door Purchased / + Wedding

2018: Second Door Purchased / + Moved Cross Country

Tomorrow: Scheduled to close on a third door and we are off to the races.

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Please let me know if you are a former journalist/journalist, say hello and let me know how the transition has been for you!

[Alex Washburn]

@Dan Beaulieu Yes! Our first property purchase was in Costa Rica before we moved to Tennessee. I am trying to convince a bank or other entity to loan down there but I doubt that's going to happen soon (given current economic indicators) but I still think it's a fantastic long term investment. 

Nathaniel and I have significant familiarity with Latin America and Costa Rica was the place that really jumped out to us as an opportunity. Unlike Mexico - there are places in CR foreigners can outright own beach front property in their own name. The restriction for the majority of the coast line is only something like 600 yards from the high water mark for foreign ownership - if CR investment is something you are interested in doing personally I would be happy to walk you through how we narrowed down the location and introduce you to one of the agents I've been in contact with for several years.