All Forum Posts by: Ashley K. Butler

@Shiloh Lundahl Thanks for the tips! I'll go back again to your meetup next month after surgery, as the last one I went to was super insightful. I will be going the sub-to method, and won't be house hacking, as I have no pressing need to move somewhere.

Also, a lot of the properties I have been looking at are in cities including Florence, Coolidge, Casa Grande, San Tan Valley, etc. 65% of those properties are primarily in Coolidge & Casa Grande, and have been sitting on the market for over 100 days.

@Elvise Atem Thank for the advice, and that's something I'm already working on, as far as partnering goes!

@Chad McMahan

Thanks for the advice! I am currently working with a few agents, and finding new ways to go about my RE journey.

@Chris B.

Thanks!

Hello and great evening BP Community from the Great State of Arizona!

Here’s an update on the journey to purchase a property to house hack.

I was looking for properties and working with agents to purchase a property to house hack in the Pinal County, Chandler, Gilbert, or Queen Creek, AZ markets. I was looking for a small multifamily property, but pivoted to focusing in on the single family property and renting out the rooms, and became very interested in the Casita (or Mother-in-Law Suite) set up.

So far, I have:

* (Attempted) gone through the preapproval process to figure out how much I can afford going the VA Home Loan route with no money down, and with speaking with several lenders, running my credit several times, and even attempting to get a family member to cosign, I do not qualify for very much at all on my own, at least to where I would feel comfortable living in a place for 12+ months.

* Been consistent with networking and connecting with new people.

* Continued my personal education by listening, studying, and reading of several books, audiobooks, and podcasts. I’ve also been focusing on getting back into the financial services industry, and putting my licenses to work, as I have learned a great deal about R. Nelson Nash and his Infinite Banking Concept and how I can apply that to Real Estate for myself and others.

* Been consistent with playing Robert Kiyosaki’s Cash Flow Board Game at a meetup and am still learning so much more every time I play.

* Over $16K in savings and credit is still at least over 700, but my savings rate slowed this month.

* Put W-2 work search on pause, since surgery is coming up in less than a month.

* Registered and start my classes online for Software Engineering on Saturday, and will be saving the tuition assistance payments the VA will be paying out.

* I spoke with an investor yesterday and he mentioned going the seller-financing/subject-to route, which I am totally open to. However, in that case I would not want to house hack, since I would not be able to use my VA loan. I would just simply rent it out.

As always, the focus for me in 2023 (and life) is still #GetBetter #GetSmart #GetWealthy.

BP Community I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Well, that’s all for now, and until then I am enjoying the process and hope you are too!

Hello and great evening BP Community from the Great State of Arizona!

Here’s a quick (sort of quick) update on the journey to purchase a property to house hack.

I am currently looking for properties and working with agents in the Pinal County market, as well as the Gilbert and Queen Creek areas. I was looking for a small multifamily property, but will be making my first investment in a single family property and renting out the rooms.

Also, I have become very interested in the Casita (or Mother-in-Law Suite) set up that some of the properties have out here, and definitely see opportunity there!

So far, I have:

* Been coming out of my shell and networking, meeting lots of new people!

* Still continuing my personal education by listening, studying, and reading several books, audiobooks, and podcasts in Real Estate, investing in general, and business. I’ve also been playing the Cash Flow Board Game and am learning A LOT there! Furthermore, Craig Curelop’s The House Hacking Strategy has pretty much become my House Hacking Bible!

* Set myself up to have over $16K in savings before the month is out. I am glad my credit score is still over 720, even after getting a new car!

* I have still been looking for work, but will more than likely have to put a semi-pause on it due to surgery coming up within the next few to several weeks, and I won’t have the full ability to go to work for at least 6 weeks post-op. I imagine that not showing up for work for 6 weeks doesn’t look good when starting out at a new job.🤷🏾‍♀️🤦🏾‍♀️ (Lord Help Me and God save the children – or at least my hip! 😅)

* I will be starting school for Software Engineering online and will be stashing away the tuition assistance payments I will be receiving, as my full education is taken care of.

* I went and saw a property today for the first time in the city of Maricopa, AZ! I did not put an offer on that, as I wasn’t too interested in that particular neighborhood and will be looking at some more properties this upcoming week.

As I am getting closer to the time to make an offer and start the purchase process, I will be going the VA route (just waiting for my Certificate of Eligibility – COE), and I will be using Navy Federal Credit Union to do the 30-Year Mortgage, as they have the best rates from what I've seen, thus far 😅.

As always, the focus for 2023 (and life) is still #GetBetter #GetSmart #GetWealthy. Before this year is over, I want to have grown personally, matured, and have grown my network here in Phoenix.

BP Community I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Well, that’s all for now, and until then I am enjoying the process and hope you are too!

#EnjoyMemorialDay #ThankfulToThoseWhoServed #RememberAndHonorThem

Hello and great morning (or whatever time of day for you) BP Community!

Here’s a quick update on the journey to purchase a small multifamily house hack.

First, I was considering investing in the San Antonio area where I was previously living, but I am currently in the surrounding Phoenix market, and will most likely be making my first investment here, whether it be small Multifamily or Single Family Home and renting out the rooms.

So far, I have:

* Listened to, studied, and re-read several books, audiobooks, and podcasts in Real Estate, investing in general, and business. I really enjoyed Craig Curelop’s The House Hacking Strategy!

* Unfortunately had my vehicle broke down and had to finance a vehicle, as used car prices don’t make sense in this market, and I am by myself and need to make sure I have reliable transportation. Thankfully, the car will be paid within the next 6-7 months, but it slows my savings rate.

* Just under $15K in savings and over 720 credit score. With financing the vehicle I will have over $20K, instead of the $30K+ as I had projected previously before 2023 ends.

* I will still be getting paid to go to school for Software Engineering and working, after surgery recovery time.

I know people are saying now is the time to buy, but with taking on the vehicle payment, it does put a slight damper on the plan, even though it will be a short payment time. For me, most likely, I will be purchasing at the end of the year or early 2024.

Again, when it does come time to purchase a property, I will end up going VA or FHA Loan route, most likely VA.

The focus is still on getting my health and finances together, along with personal growth and maturity. I am also slowly building my network here in Phoenix, and am learning more about the area each day.

BP Community I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Well, that’s all for now, and until then I am enjoying the process and hope you are too!

Howdy BP Community!

Here’s a quick update on the journey to purchase a small multifamily house hack.

At first I considered San Antonio, but am currently considering the Phoenix market, also (as I’m already here spending time with family and enjoying the area).

So far, I have:

* I have studied and re-read Rich Dad, Poor Dad and read the Cash Flow Quadrant, and today I started Josh Dorkin’s and Brandon Turner’s How to Invest in Real Estate.

* Increased my savings rate and now have over $10K and a much better credit score. Currently on track to have over $30K before 2023 ends.

* I will be getting paid to go to school for Software Engineering, starting in September.

* Depending on how long orthopedic recovery takes (hopefully not forever), I’ll be looking to make my first property purchase as 2023 closes, or 2024 begins. 

It is looking like I will end up going VA or FHA Loan route.

For now, I am focusing on getting my health all the way back together, growing as a person, reading and studying. I just invested in Audible subscription, and am listening to Jim Kwik’s Limitless to break down past mental barriers/blocks. I cannot wait to get back into networking again, especially here in Phoenix!

Well, that’s all for now, and until then I am enjoying the process and hope you are too!

Hey, hey BP community!

Here's a quick update on the journey to purchasing my first small, multi-family, house hack in San Antonio, Texas.

So far, I have:

* Recently become totally debt-free and raised my credit score significantly

* Increased my savings rate (Following Scott Trench's Set For Life Plan to first $25K)

* Laid the foundation to go back and get paid to go to school for Software Development/Engineering

By the end of 2023, or early 2024, I'll be ready to put a serious down payment for purchase of my first property. Most likely, I will go VA, FHA, or Conventional Loan route.

For now, I am re-reading and studying Set For Life, Rich Dad Poor Dad, Cashflow Quadrant, Intelligent Investor, and Secrets of the Millionaire Mind. I am also listening constantly to BP podcasts and other self-improvement audios, to increase my business acumen.

I'll be getting back into networking pretty soon!

Well, that’s all for now, and until then I am enjoying the process and hope you are too!

Great morning BP Community!

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and off to a great start in 2023!

I was in the process of getting to pull the trigger on the FHA Loan and start looking for a duplex to Househack this year, but decided to hold off for now.

(Yes, this is way TMI but this is my post and IDC) I decided to hold off because I decided to make my physical, mental, and spiritual health priorities for 2023.

I injured my hip in the military last year and it has gotten worse. I got sexually assaulted by a so-called family member shortly after being injured. I’ve been on a rollercoaster ride, starting my transportation business just to support myself as best as I could.

Thankfully I receive VA benefits for health care and other compensation, and by the end of 2023 I will have $25K+ capital to invest or use as a down payment for a duplex I can househack.

I have been networking (even though I am terribly shy), making new relationships, trying to do the best possible job for my customers, and now my body is starting to really feel the toll from last year.

If there’s anything I have taken from 2022, it’s ‘don’t miss the point of this great journey called life.’ What good is it to have money, businesses, properties, etc when your health is bad and nobody likes you?

I believe in having money and the right relationships, not either or. But as for me, first things first - health (mind, body, and spirit). Then relationships/networks/partnerships and business next.

Well, that’s all for now, and until then I am enjoying the process and hope you are too!

@Jerod McCarrell I moved to SA in May ‘22, and am a new multifamily investor, as well! Welcome to SA!

Hey BP community!

(I know, super late to be posting, but I don’t care.)

It’s been several weeks since I’ve last posted, so I wanted to update and also see where everyone else is on/in their journey.

Again, I am recently separated veteran from the military due to injury, and now receive full benefits and am in the process of getting ready to invest my first multifamily property.

I am currently going through the pre-approval process, my credit score has improved tremendously, and focused on growing my transportation technology startup as I’ve just been accepted into an Incubator program for startups.

I am looking at duplexes currently, and still have been engaged in networking/building relationships and educating myself with books and podcasts.

It has been one hell of a year (not in a great way at the start of it), but I’m looking forward to 2023. Now, I’m just drafting my business plans for real estate and my transportation tech startup, as well as my life.

I am just unsure if I should go the W-2 route? Currently, I’m only able to qualify maybe (a strong maybe) for up to $270K on my own. I know that it’ll take the needed time/focus away from business, but if it’ll help live for free I’d be open to it temporarily.

That’s where I’m at for now, this holiday season. Again, just taking it 1 day at a time, and #EnjoyingTheProcess! How’s everyone doing?