All Forum Posts by: Uwe G.

@Eric Guess, Welcome and happy investing.  If you need help up in Vancouver, WA let me know.  If you private message me we can setup a time to grab coffee or a beer and see how I can point you in a couple directions and at a minimum network.

Hi @Chauncey Perkins, my piece of advice would be to figure out what kind of investor you want to be and then focus on getting scale in that area.  Are you a buy and hold or flipper as an example?

Then as other people suggest, learn how to calculate the numbers.  That is paramount.

Finally, build your team (contractor, mortgage broker, etc...) of who will help you along the way and understand your longterm desires.  

@Nick Gray For 9 to 5 Jobs with your pedigree I would go work in real estate finance. Try working for a REIT as an analyst or as a Commercial Lender at a bank. Or find a real estate software startup company. Given we are reaching the end of the current economic cycle I would tread lightly on giving up a big paycheck because it is much harder to be an investor in real estate these days as the overall market and valuations are shifting.

Regarding your current situation I found that most people left managers (poor managers) and not industries or even companies.  Maybe it is your current micro environment that is causing the issue vs. the entire macro environment of engineering.  I would take some time off and travel a bit and then make your decision to leave your industry after you are able to clear out all of the negative emotions for it.  At the same time have a head hunter find you a new job while you are on vacation.

@Christopher Christian, I would isolate the decision down to getting the MBA vs anything to do with Real Estate Investing.  Will you stay in the area your entire life or the bulk of the next 15 years?  If you move out of the area the MBA will dramatically lose value in other markets.  If you aren't going to a top 20 MBA (better if top 10) I feel they don't hold their value longterm.  Can you apply for the same job without the MBA?  If you plan to stay in corporate America for a 15+ more years, stay in your regional area, and the MBA will land you a job that pays more but you maintain your same level of happiness on the job then I think the MBA is a great option to consider.

@Shalom Afraimian, I feel a good listing agent is always worth it.  The hard part is finding a good agent that has the time to put the effort into your listing.  If you are listing a higher end property I absolutely think a good agent will get you more money.  They will give you all the advice on how to prep the home, bring in a good stager if needed, and price it appropriately within the market conditions.  Will a good agent get you 2.5-3% or more for your house?  Will they bring in demand and get multiple offers and make buyers put in their best offers?

Like others suggest it depends on your market and what kind of property you are selling.  Is it move in ready or more of a fixer?

@David W. There is a lot of good advice and tidbits already given to you.  The central theme is invest in the midwest.  My advice would be to be careful with whatever you do because we are reaching the end of the current real estate cycle.  It probably won't end badly at all (nothing like 2008) but the current overall econcomic cycle is getting tired and we are due for 4 more rate hikes that will impact the price of real estate since most people buy using loans tied to interest rates.  Also, if you can find areas with an economic advantage that will bring jobs during the end of this and start of the next economic cycle you will do well.  For example, the energy sector is rebounding as we are now seeing oil jump above $75 a barrel and Natural Gas is now over $3.  Locations tied to energy may work well....I have heard positive things from one acquaintance of mine that exclusively does stuff up in Alaska.  I wish you the best!  Real Estate is such a great way to put money to work and remember that you make money in real estate in the buy (finding the right buy at the right price)!

@Frank Vafaei I would not be surprised at all if we peaked very soon given our fed rate policy is raising rates one more time in December and 3 times in 2019.  I am watching all of this very closely.

@Jonathan Manacchio I agree with the comments surrounding Hood River/White Salmon and The Dalles if you don't mind going that far east.  I feel the Columbia River Gorge is a special place.  Another option briefly mentioed would be Vancouver, WA.  That is where I live/work and I make regular weekly trips to downtown Portland to meet up with friends socially.

@Frank Vafaei I am in Vancouver, WA (suburb of Portland, OR) and I would say we are closer to the top of the cycle.  People are still finding deals but it is tougher then it was several years ago.  The best opportunities for buy and hold are to find value add projects to create value.

@Bryce Penner I would analyze the spread you are making on the money that is being loaned to you.  It appears you have a very low rate and it would be expensive to replace the debt at that interest rate.  So, calculate the current cap rate based upon the rents you would be getting and then see what your cash on cash return would be with your current loan.  Once you have that number you will see if it makes sense to sell because if you can't get a higher return investing in something else with the proceeds then I would say keep the house and take advantage of the low rates you have locked in.  Then as @Brian Garrett mentions use a HELOC to tap the equity when you find something that will expand your cash on cash returns. I think a lot of folks are understimating the value in the the low rates they are locked into, but if you do the math it makes the decision much easier.