New-ish Investor & BP

New-ish Investor & BP

Investor · Grand Rapids, MI · Member since 2018 · 4 posts · 2 votes
Hi All! 

I'm new-ish to real estate investing (more background below) and have hit a bit of a lull in expansion. I've been listening to the BP podcast for a while and less-so lurking around the forums. I'm hoping that becoming a bit more active on the forums might help myself gain some traction while helping out others where I can.

My background... Currently working full time as a product development engineer. I started out house-hacking a duplex in Grand Haven & transitioning it to an AirBnB. This was before I knew of PB or much at all about real estate investing. Once I started seeing the cashflow pay my mortgage plus some I was hooked. We found a great deal on a single family and moved out/converted the second unit to an AirBnB. So, I'm currently sitting at 2 doors (both vaca. rentals), and a single family with a good deal of equity.

Things I can Help Others With: 
Any rental details in the GH area. I'm pretty familiar with the city's process.
Any AirBNB questions or details with the city. Again, after a few years I'm pretty familar with the process.

Things I'm hoping to Improve: 

I'm currently struggling a bit to get a second deal. My significant other is pretty resistant to 'downgrading' to another duplex/multi-unit for 12 months, which makes things a little more complex... This would be my preferred strategy. I probably have just enough capital to put 40% down on a second turnkey property, but I hate the idea of tying up that much capital into one property.  Obviously potential solutions are flipping, wholesaling, or partnering with another investor on a flip. I think sourcing quality deals is probably my weak point right now.

Anyways, I'm looking forward to being more active on the forums and helping others wherever I can.
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  • Real Estate Broker · Cleveland Dayton Cincinnati Toledo Columbus & Akron, OH · Member since 2013 · 30k+ posts · 20k+ votes
    5y
    Originally posted by @Gabriel Melching:
    Hi All! 

    I'm new-ish to real estate investing (more background below) and have hit a bit of a lull in expansion. I've been listening to the BP podcast for a while and less-so lurking around the forums. I'm hoping that becoming a bit more active on the forums might help myself gain some traction while helping out others where I can.

    My background... Currently working full time as a product development engineer. I started out house-hacking a duplex in Grand Haven & transitioning it to an AirBnB. This was before I knew of PB or much at all about real estate investing. Once I started seeing the cashflow pay my mortgage plus some I was hooked. We found a great deal on a single family and moved out/converted the second unit to an AirBnB. So, I'm currently sitting at 2 doors (both vaca. rentals), and a single family with a good deal of equity.

    Things I can Help Others With: 
    Any rental details in the GH area. I'm pretty familiar with the city's process.
    Any AirBNB questions or details with the city. Again, after a few years I'm pretty familar with the process.

    Things I'm hoping to Improve: 

    I'm currently struggling a bit to get a second deal. My significant other is pretty resistant to 'downgrading' to another duplex/multi-unit for 12 months, which makes things a little more complex... This would be my preferred strategy. I probably have just enough capital to put 40% down on a second turnkey property, but I hate the idea of tying up that much capital into one property.  Obviously potential solutions are flipping, wholesaling, or partnering with another investor on a flip. I think sourcing quality deals is probably my weak point right now.

    Anyways, I'm looking forward to being more active on the forums and helping others wherever I can.

     Welcome aboard Gabriel.

  • Investor · Grand Rapids, MI · Member since 2018 · 4 posts · 2 votes
    5y

    Thanks @James Wise!

  • Real Estate Broker · Cleveland Dayton Cincinnati Toledo Columbus & Akron, OH · Member since 2013 · 30k+ posts · 20k+ votes
    5y
    Originally posted by @Gabriel Melching:

    Thanks @James Wise!

  • Real Estate Agent · Grand Rapids, MI · Member since 2021 · 2 posts · 0 votes
    5y

    Hi Gabriel, I just came across your question here as I am new to BP and so far, have liked what I have seen.  I have been selling Real Estate in West Michigan now since 2016 and have seen a dramatic change in who is buying rental properties.  This area used to be filled with mom and pop investors with 1-2 properties but now big money and all cash seems to be winning out on almost every deal I see in the greater GR area and from those that are ok holding for a very long period of time.  I have some cash investors that are buying vacant land and multi-units with cash in anticipation of holding for decades.  

    Here would be my suggestion.  I would look outside the traditional areas where most investors look in GR (Downtown, Kentwood, Wyoming, the Lakeshore) and start buying in more rural areas that are just a little too far out for most investors.  For instance, I would look in places like Greenville, Wayland, Dorr, Coopersville, etc.  There are multi-family units in theses cities that you could still do well in and every one of them are growing.  You might not be able to AirBnB there but you definitely be able to rent.  40% down is typically great in a normal market but with all this cash flowing, that still might not be enough in those traditional rental areas but would work in the non-traditional areas.  Hope that helps!

  • Wale LawalBusiness Member
    Real Estate Broker · Houston | Dallas | Austin, TX · Member since 2018 · 5k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    5y

    Welcome to BP. I have a background in engineer myself, so I completely understand the struggle. But as long as you have a strong mindset and taking action, good things will keep coming your way. My advice is to start networking with others in your area. Join meetups and learn from what others have done. Good luck!

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