All Forum Posts by: Allen Ramirez

Hello BiggerPockets Community!

I am new to this forum. I have been reading a couple books on getting started into real estate investing and they both recommended this website, so here I am!

Currently I don't have any investments, which is why I am here. But I DID recently purchase a vacant lot from a family friend in Crestline, CA. I plan to build a small residential house (~1800 sqft) in the next coming years. Then rent it out after it's complete, unless knowledgeable people tell me otherwise. 

Quick background on me, I am a licensed structural engineer in the state of California and 47 other states. So I know a thing or two about design and construction, just lacking the real estate side of things. 

Next year in addition to starting to plan for my vacant lot, I plan to also purchase something. I am thinking of a house in the Crestline, CA area since prices are reasonable and most houses are older where some cosmetic upgrades can be made. I then plan to rent it out to receive a small cash flow and let it appreciate over the years. 

I am hoping within the next year after I will be able to get into multi-family unit purchases. 4-duplex and under. I do see the great potential with those but I am just lacking the upfront costs and knowledge to start those just yet. 

Ideally in the future I will have money coming in where I don't have to work AS MUCH. I still love what I do which is being an executive director of the structural engineering department of an international company (shout out to BASE4 International!). But I WOULD like to spend more time with my 3 kids and travel more with my wife. Also, I'd like for my kids to not struggle with money as I did growing up with my parents. 

If you made it this far through my post, thank you! And I hope to learn from everyone here!

Thanks,

Allen Ramirez