Happy 1st BP-versary to me!

[Heather W.]

     It's late at night in Atlanta.  The kid is sleeping.  The rhythmic sound of the clothes being tossed around in the dryer reminds me I need to finish packing.  As I mentally plan out my day tomorrow, though, there is one thing I need to do tonight.

     I created an account on BiggerPockets almost a year ago.  To be honest, when I first searched the internet for help on being a landlord or buying new properties, I did not want to click on any of those silly front page links to BiggerPockets. I thought for sure the links would be peddling some product or have so many advertisements it would lock up my computer. Once I read my first post, however, I was hooked. Most of the time I lurk in the background, but today I want to share.

So far this year I've become a better real estate investors by

• Purchasing a 3/1.5 house for $40K with a long-term tenant paying $915/month and then getting a HELOC.
• Purchasing a 4/2 house for $45K with a 30 yr mortgage, added $12K in repairs, renting for $955/month.
• Purchasing a 3/2 home for $23K, added a new HVAC and duct work, and which rents for $750/month.
• Spending days mentally rehearsing my speech to ask for private money to fund the third deal only to have him say "yes" in under 30 seconds and on my terms.
• Being invited to be a part of the Atlanta Housing Authority's Landlord advisory committee, where I get to learn (for better or worse) the inner workings of the city's Section 8 program and hang out with investors way more experienced than me.

     It's very fitting my anniversary of joining BP is close to Thanksgiving. I know before I go on vacation tomorrow I need to give a big thank you to @Joshua Dorkin and his staff for this great community.  I also want to thank @Rick Baggenstoss for challenging me to be more logical, helping me become a better problem solver, putting up with seemingly unlimited "grasshopper questions," and giving me the confidence to translate skills from my real job to this realm.  I'm also thankful for the great conversations with @Kevin Auyong , @Sheree H. .  It never ceases to amaze me how open and helpful most people here are.

   As I finish planning my goals for 2015, I'm filled with such a sense of optimism and excitement for the year to come.  

Thank you, BiggerPockets!