Seeking Advice For First Time Home Buyer

[Gideon Pfeffer]

Hi Bigger Pockets Family,

I started getting interested real estate this past year. I've read a few books, listened to a ton of online podcast material, and got my California real estate license. Despite this, I have not yet purchased any properties.

I currently live in San Francisco, but my lease ends in ~6 months. With remote work becoming more prevalent at my company, I'm considering moving out of state and buying my own place towards the end of the year. I've read long distance Real Estate Investing by David Greene, but still feel a bit in over my head.

My hope is to live in the property for a few years, then potentially convert it to an investment and move elsewhere. I have a decent idea about what I'm looking for from a price, style, and location standpoint, but still feel somewhat overwhelmed by needing to find an agent, getting pre-approved for lending, the competitive market, and the thought of buying a place I have not yet seen.

Anyone have advice? Thanks a ton in advance!

[Rick Borgo]

Gideon, the fact that you have already read David Greene's book and are starting to think about real estate investing means you are already smarter than a lot of the people out there. The process can be overwhelming, but it's not really complicated when you break everything down into baby steps. 

Your first step should be getting a pre-approval to see how much you can qualify to borrower. I can help with that if you want. Real Estate Agent's are all over the place and most are very helpful and knowledgeable of the local market. 

I bought my first property, a one bedroom condo in northern NJ, and looking to eventually do a cash out refinance to take advantage of the appreciation and use that money for a down payment on a new home. It's a very common practice and super easy. 

"The path to where your going starts with the ground below your feet." -- Your on the right track already. Reach out if you have anything at all that I can help you with. Your going to kill it!