Skip to content
×
PRO
Pro Members Get Full Access!
Get off the sidelines and take action in real estate investing with BiggerPockets Pro. Our comprehensive suite of tools and resources minimize mistakes, support informed decisions, and propel you to success.
Advanced networking features
Market and Deal Finder tools
Property analysis calculators
Landlord Command Center
$0
TODAY
$69.00/month when billed monthly.
$32.50/month when billed annually.
7 day free trial. Cancel anytime
Already a Pro Member? Sign in here

Join Over 3 Million Real Estate Investors

Create a free BiggerPockets account to comment, participate, and connect with over 3 million real estate investors.
Use your real name
By signing up, you indicate that you agree to the BiggerPockets Terms & Conditions.
The community here is like my own little personal real estate army that I can depend upon to help me through ANY problems I come across.
Real Estate Deal Analysis & Advice
All Forum Categories
Followed Discussions
Followed Categories
Followed People
Followed Locations
Market News & Data
General Info
Real Estate Strategies
Landlording & Rental Properties
Real Estate Professionals
Financial, Tax, & Legal
Real Estate Classifieds
Reviews & Feedback

Updated almost 8 years ago,

User Stats

6,117
Posts
5,051
Votes
Brie Schmidt
Agent
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Chicago, IL
5,051
Votes |
6,117
Posts

OMG! I can't believe it has been three years since I found BP

Brie Schmidt
Agent
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Chicago, IL
ModeratorPosted

Three years ago today I was sitting under the fluorescent lights in my cubicle, enjoying a slow week of work because of the holiday, and I googled a question about zoning for one of my properties.

Then this MAGICAL thing happened to me, a link for BP came up.  Someone else had asked the exact same question I had... and there were tons of responses to this person's question.  What is this place?  This can't be real!  People donate their time to help others without expecting something in return? WTF!

Let me backtrack a bit... At the time I was the owner three properties and 8 units.  I had never talked to another investor before or ever read a book about investing.  I thought it was a side hobby and maybe in 20-25 years I would have my properties paid off and be able to stop working in my mid-50's.  Then I found BP and the world as I knew it changed.

I remember logging into my account right before Christmas and getting a notification.  "You have earned an award" it said.  Oh my!  So exciting!  What is an award?  Then I looked, it was the addict award (logged in every day for 30 days) and I knew, I had a problem, I was addicted.

In the first year since finding BP everything took a 180 degree turn, I:

  • I quit my job, a job that I loved and thought I would have for a very long time, because my job started getting in the way of my investing
  • I did my first BP podcast and was able to share with the world how I got started in REI
  • I started co-hosting our local meetup in Chicago and have met hundreds of awesome investors, many of which have become amazing friends
  • I increased my unit count to 27 units and expanded our business to Milwaukee
  • Opened my own brokerage company where I get to help people get started by "house hacking" just like I did

I could never have done any of that without BP.  People from all across the country supported me when I had doubts, shared their advice to help me though a situation, and let me learn from their experiences.  I met so many "virtual" friends from all over - it is still mind blowing to this day.  Year two was even crazier!  In my second year since BP I:

  • Continued to expand our portfolio, bringing the total number of units to 80
  • Started a turnkey review site with @Jay Hinrichs
  • Did my second BP Podcast, and many others
  • Spoke at my first National RE Conference in San Francisco (thanks @J. Martin ) and got to meet SO MANY incredible people that I had only know virtually up until that point
  • Helped countless clients get started in REI in Chicago and watched our meetup grow and embody the same "pay it forward" attitude that BP has

But it wasn't all sunshine and rainbows, we definitely hit some speedbumps because we grew too fast.  One of the hardest things was having to fire our in house PM, who I loved.  He just couldn't keep up with the growth and we couldn't let things fall through the cracks.  It was one of the hardest things I ever had to do.  Year three was the toughest to date, I:

  • Started working with some incredible partners (all met through BP) to start buying properties in a JV partnership with a long term buy and hold strategy
  • Had to fire another PM within a few months of working with them.  Luckily I split our portfolio between two PM's when we made the switch, so only half the business was affected.   So we have been through our fair share of growing pains this year.  
  • Had to go through my first property fire, and my second...
  • Continued to grow my brokerage business, helping clients add over $75k a month in gross rents to their portfolio, many of them buying their second property already!
  • Took the trip of a lifetime!  Taking 30+ days off to go to europe and visit 20 cities in 8 different countries

As I sit here typing this, reflecting on my life 3 year + 1 day ago.... it is literally unrecognizable.  I would still be sitting in that cubicle dreaming of the life I wanted if fate did not intervene.  I cannot thank @Joshua Dorkin enough for creating this amazing community which changed my life.  I also could not have the success that I have had without the people that share their experiences, offer advice, and support each other every day on BP.  THANK YOU!

business profile image
Second City Real Estate
5.0 stars
20 Reviews

Loading replies...