New investor in Grand Rapids

[Drake Baar]

Hello! I'm a GR native and recent GVSU grad looking to house hack my first deal this year. I've been listening to the BP podcasts, reading books, and meeting local agents, lenders, and investors for a few months now, trying to absorb as much as possible while I work on establishing credit. My goal is to close by May, when my current lease is up, on a single family or smaller multifamily. Ideally I'd want to buy relatively close to downtown, since I currently work full-time at an investment company down there, and I really like the John Ball/Swan, Belknap, Creston Heights, Fulton Heights, and Eastown neighborhoods.  Any tips for starting out, leads on properties, or thoughts/ideas on the local market would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

[Evan DeVisser]

@Drake Baar This is an awesome idea to house hack around Grand Rapids. I just recently purchased my first investment property in 49504, and it has turned out to be a very efficient location for me. If you need any help feel free to reach out to me personally. I plan to be starting work under a real estate agent named Brad Baker who knows the area extremely well and works with dozens of investors in the area. Brad knows a lot of people and gets his hands on more off market deals than any other agent I know.  If you want to reach out to him for any questions feel free to PM me and I can send you over his contact information.

And of course welcome to Bigger Pockets.