All Forum Posts by: Boden Zvonarich

@Oliver Dow

Hey Oliver!

This is a scary path to go down for sure, trust me I’ve been in your shoes (and kind of still am). What I did to break the water was a house hack, and I’d suggest it to you as well to start as it really lowers your risk and helps learn a lot of essential skills. If you find a multi family property where the number work out, buy it and live in a unit. It not only helps with a lower down payment but also helps with learning how to be a landlord. And if you are decently handy, you can work on fixing it up while you live there for some sweat equity and a little extra money in your pocket. If you listen to all of the big investors, you’ll hear a lot started this way and I’ll agree with them when they say it’s the best way to get started.

If this isn’t an option, partnering with someone is also good as it lowers risk and you tackle it together. You have someone to keep you on track with everything and also to be kn your side and help you out. If you start just telling people you are interested in real estate you’ll be amazed by the people who are in the same shoes as you. It could not only help yourself get started, but you could help someone else in you exact spot get started on their journey as well!

I hope you find some of this helpful and pushes you towards taking your first step! Once you realize all of the upsides compared to the down, it will end up being a no brainer!

Feel free to reach out if you want to chat at all!

@Britt Smith

It sounds like you already have your out of state property so this may not help but I would suggest going for an area where you may have some existing tie’s. Wether it’s an old friend, family member or a college, someone who you trust that is in a different area may have some suggestions on contractors for you, know some ins and outs of the area or they may even be able to have eyes on your project to ensure everything is running smoothly!

@Devon Harris

I find it’s better to spend that extra penny to get(or make) a property that stands out. In the short term rental market, vacationers are not looking for typical stats but rather an experience. If you spend an extra, say 10% to make your property stand out and memorable, your vacancy rate is going to go way up.

There are lots of other things to take in account but I find no matter ther area, you stick to this and you will be too if the market. Goodluck and I wish you the best!

@Kerry Pangan

As something you will probably hear on here a lot, I’d suggest Brandon Turners book on creative financing, which I believe is called real estate investing with no or low money down. He lists a lot of ways to get investment properties without going the conventional 20% down. Ways that I’ve done this is house hacking (earlier in my career), finding family to live in an investment property, seller financing, partnering, or taking the equity out of your first investment property to put 20% down.

If you want me to elaborate on any of the above I am more than happy to!

Hi everyone!

I’m a long time listener/watcher but just starting out my actual investing career in the Ottawa valley area (Ontario, Canada). I just wanted to take a minute and introduce myself and get to know some fellow investors and see if there’s anyone else around my area on here.

So about my career, I've just recently moved onto my second house hack where I'm working on converting a SFH to a duplex (or just adding a SDU). My first house hack I'm currently renting to my mom. Great way to learn how to be a landlord, so far lol

If anyone is around the Ottawa area, or specifically west of the city, please shoot me a message I’d love to hear from you! Or honestly, if you aren’t from around this area and just want to share your story or some advice, I’d be more than happy to hear from you!

Cheers,

Boden