New Real Estate Investor In Houston Market

[Jorge Quintero]

Hello, Bigger Pockets Forum! 

I am currently an engineer working in Houston that is 22 years old and looking to slowly make the transition from full-time engineer to full-time real estate investor. I want to invest locally in buy and hold rental real estate, where my goal is to achieve financial freedom (making passive income that exceeds 1.5x - 2x my current full time monthly salary) by the time I am 30. I want to start investing in single family homes or small multifamily properties and I have set a goal to buy my first property by the end of 2018!

Since I'm new to Bigger Pockets, and new to real estate, I am learning as much as I can about rental properties and the different avenues I can use to find and close deals. However, I still have a lot to learn and not many connections in the industry. As such I have a couple of questions about the Houston market:

1) With the constant construction, the recent hurricane Harvey destruction, and the influx of people trying to move into the city, what does the rental market look like in Houston?

2) Is the market too competitive for new investors in Houston? Are prices still reasonable enough that a young investor like myself with little capital can get started buying properties soon?

3)What resources exist locally that would prove very beneficial to my real estate journey? Especially since I'm still learning and trying to connect with people in the industry.

Thanks in advance for your help and advice, everyone!

[Tim Johnson]

@Jorge Quintero One easy way I have gained some familiarity with the Houston market is by listening to Right Path Real Estate radio, 9-10am each day on KTEK. They're on IHeartRadio also so you can listen online.

Another strategy I have followed so far is to focus on very specific neighborhoods instead of trying to understand the Houston market as a whole. I would not be interested in driving 60 minutes to check on properties, so I have focused on areas that are close to me. If you search "Houston MLS areas" you can find a map of neighborhood codes that should always be included on an MLS listing so you can make your property searches very specific.

I have also made some connections and learned useful info by attending the monthly JET Lending events at Redneck Country Club. Tons of people show up for those. Let me know if you go to one and I'll find you there.