Flip or Hold to begin REI? Advice Needed for a Beginner!

Flip or Hold to begin REI? Advice Needed for a Beginner!

Findlay, OH · Member since 2017 · 8 posts · 4 votes

Hello BP Members,

My name is Tyler Porter and I am relatively new to BP. I am 22 years old and have an extremely high interest in real estate. I plan to get into my first deal here in Findlay, OH in the next year. In the long run, my goal would be to build an extensive holdings portfolio that generates high amounts of passive income, and I would like to switch to REI as my full time career. I recently purchased my first single-family home which is my primary residence. I made several contacts along the way that could be very helpful when I get into this world.

Here is my question: Wait a few years and save enough money to make a sizable down payment on a multi-unit property, quickly invest in my next single-family, or flip houses to start in order to build a capital base quicker?

Being straight out of college, and having just purchased my first home, I am definitely on a limited income. In order to put a decent down payment on a multi-unit in my area, at this income, I would have to save for a few years. Waiting is not my forte, blame it on me being a millennial.

I would be able to invest in my next single family in the next year in the price range that I bought my current house, but I have heard and seen through my research so far that multi-family is the way to go if the goal is to build extensive passive income quicker.

As far as flipping is concerned, I understand there is a high cash flow involved in these deals. There are a high amount of foreclosures in my area that are selling for very low and I am confident in the next year I could have plenty set aside to purchase and flip. My mindset here, and please correct me if I am misinformed as I am just starting in this world, is that flipping can provide a quicker profit if done correctly and doing a few would be a good way to get high funds set aside quicker for a larger investment.

Any and all advice would be much appreciated! Thanks in advance!

Tyler

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Specialist · Charlotte, NC · Member since 2016 · 239 posts · 117 votes
9y

Hey Tyler,

Have you ever though of house hacking your SFH? I am assuming you graduated from UF so I am sure you know a good amount of new professionals in need of a home. Could be a great option as long as you ensure they know this is a PROFESSIONAL agreement

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  • Specialist · Charlotte, NC · Member since 2016 · 239 posts · 117 votes
    9y

    Hey Tyler,

    Have you ever though of house hacking your SFH? I am assuming you graduated from UF so I am sure you know a good amount of new professionals in need of a home. Could be a great option as long as you ensure they know this is a PROFESSIONAL agreement

  • Findlay, OH · Member since 2017 · 8 posts · 4 votes
    9y

    Hi Ian,

    Thanks for the response. I actually graduated from BGSU but I do have an extensive network in the area. I hadn't considered that, I don't know that this would be a possibility as my girlfriend will be moving in soon and I don't know that she would be comfortable. I appreciate the idea though!

  • Investor · Cumming, GA · Member since 2015 · 181 posts · 38 votes
    9y

    I know a great hard money lender- if you need!!

  • Investor · Youngstown, OH · Member since 2017 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    9y

    @Tyler Porter I am currently hacking my SFH and would be happy to answer any questions. Easily one of the best decision I've ever made.

  • Investor · Brunswick, OH · Member since 2016 · 18 posts · 4 votes
    9y

    @Tyler Porter Nice to see you are motivated into REI. Seeing as you are starting out I would not recommend a multi-family yet as it can be more complex to manage & maintain. Not saying that its not possible but can be more challenging and expensive.

    With fix&flips you are correct that it does have quicker profit but can involve higher unexpected renovation expense, additional holding cost, and higher tax collection so in order to do this is research properties carefully and have a good cpa. 

    Your last option was find a next home which i see a few option with this. First is find a single family and keep the other as a rental. Second, sell your single family to move in a duplex. And third which is bit coming from Brandon Turner podcast and weekly seminars I watched in the pass is get a FHA loan to buy a new house and get a 203k loan to do improvements while gaining rental income from your previous properties and pay for loan you took out.

    So overall these three choices are not easy but they can help giving you some direction and some experience in term of investing so hope this helps. 

  • Rental Property Investor · Cleveland, OH · Member since 2016 · 653 posts · 769 votes
    9y

    Sounds like you've got a few good options in front of you. If you've got the time to do a flip, then go for it. But be very clear that flipping houses is not real estate investing. It is a very difficult job that may or may not pay well or anything at all for that matter. It is a great way to raise funds if you do it right, but there is a big difference. If you're thinking of doing the work yourself I might suggest approaching someone who's already flipping in town and offer to work for them as a contractor in exchange for a paycheck and mentorship. They might be your best friend to help you fund or at least analyze any flips you take on yourself. 

    Or, if you can, you might want to look at an FHA on a multi family. Move in there while you fix it up and fully rent out the current place. Or just house hack it if that makes sense. Depending on the cost of a distressed duplex, you might be able to get back in the game sooner than you think.

  • Findlay, OH · Member since 2017 · 8 posts · 4 votes
    9y

    @Ryan Evans @Jason Dhanraj @Nicole Heasley Beitenman @Julie Hicks Thank you all for your input and advice! You have given me a lot to think about. It is much appreciated.

  • Rental Property Investor · Phila, PA · Member since 2015 · 276 posts · 111 votes
    9y

    @Tyler Porter  FYI. There was a very good recent article/blog here on newbies getting started.  Seriously consider the strategy given.

  • Findlay, OH · Member since 2017 · 8 posts · 4 votes
    9y

    @Mags S. Thanks for the suggestion! I will check it out!

  • Property Manager · Boston, MA · Member since 2014 · 194 posts · 73 votes
    9y

    I apologize if I'm repeating someone's comments. You have 3 options I see ask family members for money, find a bank that will lend or go the hard money route. my advice is to Go to REIA meetings and start learning the art of asking questions.

    Gaurrauntee you'll be successful. 

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