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All Forum Posts by: Brett Brideau

Brett Brideau has started 2 posts and replied 12 times.

Post: Looking to enter real estate investing.

Brett BrideauPosted
  • New to Real Estate
  • Seattle, Washington.
  • Posts 12
  • Votes 5
Quote from @Dennis Nguyen:

Welcome Brett! Definitely recommend going to local meet ups and talking to the investors / builders / agents in the area. They will give you really good information for free just by asking. I have been to a few of Albert's meetups and they are great. If you go on meetup.com there are at least 2-3 you can check out as well. Our team also hosts one for HouseHackers / Short term rentals in Seattle. Feel free to DM me if you want to connect or have any questions :)  


 Thank you for your comment and advice! I will check out the resources you mentioned and we can connect!

Post: Looking to enter real estate investing.

Brett BrideauPosted
  • New to Real Estate
  • Seattle, Washington.
  • Posts 12
  • Votes 5
Quote from @Nathan Harden:

Welcome Brett!

You have already completed the biggest step and that is deciding to pursue financial freedom! 
If you have any questions, please reach out to me. I am just South of you but am always happy to drive and grow networks.

Happy investing!


 Hello Nathan!

Thank you for the comment and yes! I will reach out to you soon!!

Post: Looking to enter real estate investing.

Brett BrideauPosted
  • New to Real Estate
  • Seattle, Washington.
  • Posts 12
  • Votes 5
Quote from @Barry Ruby:

Hello Brett, obtaining your real estate license can certainly enhance your understanding of real estate law, agency practices, and the residential real estate industry. However, in my experience, a license alone may not be sufficient to achieve proficiency in this field.

I am planning to launch a beta testing group for a new real estate development pro forma that aims to teach literacy and pro forma modeling from the ground up. I strongly believe that these skills are critical for anyone seeking success in this industry, and lacking them can put you at a disadvantage.

If you are interested in learning more about this program, please let me know, and I will keep you in mind when it launches in the coming weeks.


 Thank you Barry for this advice. Pursuing a license in real estate would be a huge time commitment, so it is good to know and weigh out options. I would be very interested in your beta. Please do add me to the list!

If there is anything I can do in return, please let me know! Thank you!!

Post: Looking to enter real estate investing.

Brett BrideauPosted
  • New to Real Estate
  • Seattle, Washington.
  • Posts 12
  • Votes 5
Quote from @Matthew Kwan:

Hi Brett! Happy to connect with you. There is an upcoming event on 4/25 called PNW RE Social that is currently looking for volunteers. The event is located in 2Lincoln Tower Bellevue. If you are interested we can talk more about it. 

@Albert Bui @Carlos Valencia


 Hello Matthew! Thank you for your time and invite! I would love to volunteer! It sounds like a great opportunity to learn and network as well!

Post: Looking to enter real estate investing.

Brett BrideauPosted
  • New to Real Estate
  • Seattle, Washington.
  • Posts 12
  • Votes 5
Quote from @Barry Ruby:

@Brett Brideau Hi Brett, the most valuable thing you can do for yourself is get financially literate. Learn the language and metrics of CRE and then learn how to use them to conduct pro forma analysis.

Everything that you do in real estate requires the ability to underwrite a deal. Use the majority of the time you spend in your real estate efforts to gain literacy to maximize the value of the other things you learn about the industry.


 This is great advice! One of the books I've been reading made a suggestion to obtain your real estate license. Do you think that working through and obtaining this license would help learning those things? Or would underwriting be considered something different? 

 I will look into more literature about underwriting in the meantime though.


Thanks again for your comment, it is much appreciated. 

Post: Looking to enter real estate investing.

Brett BrideauPosted
  • New to Real Estate
  • Seattle, Washington.
  • Posts 12
  • Votes 5
Quote from @Josh Young:

@Brett Brideau

The best way to learn is by doing. If you already own a home that’s a great start. Now you could buy another primary residence putting just 5% down on a conventional loan and turn your current house into a rental.  You can use 75% of market rent on your current house to help you qualify for the next. Once you have a rental you will really start learning.  Good luck!

My neighbor did this exact thing! Which is what inspired me to continue to pursue this idea. Thank you so much for your comment it is much appreciated!

Post: Looking to enter real estate investing.

Brett BrideauPosted
  • New to Real Estate
  • Seattle, Washington.
  • Posts 12
  • Votes 5

Hello everyone!

Let me start off by telling you a little bit about myself; My name is Brett, I am a husband and father of a 19 month old and I live in Covington, Washington, not far from Seattle. I've finally convinced my wife that we should pursue my/our dream of becoming a landlord/real estate investor. We currently own a home in Covington so we are based out of this area, and I work in Snoqualmie. 

I'm posting here today because I am looking for resources and information that would help get us started. We've been reading books and plan to read more such as Rich Dad / Poor Dad along with watching videos to get more information. So as of know I feel like we are heading in the right direction. I've also worked as a demolition coordinator for fire and water damage, so I have limited knowledge in these areas but minimal on the construction side. 

I know that many people in this field are very busy, and managing time is a resource in it's own right. I suppose what I am trying to do is find someone that I could volunteer my time to. Wither it be helping you fix up a house to flip, or look for properties to purchase to rent, or fixing up properties to rent.

In exchange for letting me shadow and learn from you, I will offer my time for free, volunteering to assist you with whatever needs you may that are reasonable and within my skill set. 

I have a Bachelor's in Project Management and Administration, along with an Associates in Criminal Justice. I manage my grandfather's estate essentially as a paralegal, I am currently a Security Supervisor at a Tribal Casino assisting with legal operations and administrative operations, I've been a general manager of a business before, and have served as a project coordinator in both automotive and demolition fields. 

I understand that my lack of knowledge and experience in these fields could be a burden to someone working on real estate full time, but I would be greatly appreciative of anyone who would be willing to assist me by mentoring me in exchange for me volunteering. I am very friendly, approachable and people orientated. 

Thank you once again, and I look forward to hearing from everyone and even hearing advice if applicable. Thanks once again, and have a wonderful weekend!!


Post: Turning a closet into an office.

Brett BrideauPosted
  • New to Real Estate
  • Seattle, Washington.
  • Posts 12
  • Votes 5
Quote from @Scott Mac:

Fast Foreward, girls are 7 and 9--what do they want(???) BUNK BEDS and 2 tall narrow white and pink dressers with a kid sized play table and chairs in the room + a toybox.

Seven year old gets the top bunk.

You could keep the kids in one room (and let them play together in there as THEIR play place) until they beg for bunk beds because their friends have them and they are fun.

2 girls, a link for you (a lot of girls desire these deeply): https://www.breyerhorses.com/

Good Luck!

This is great advice! We've briefly discussed something like this. Will share with the wife.
Thank your for your advice and response!

Post: Turning a closet into an office.

Brett BrideauPosted
  • New to Real Estate
  • Seattle, Washington.
  • Posts 12
  • Votes 5
Quote from @Bruce Woodruff:

I agree with @Theresa Harris (as usual :-) Most people want a master closet in their master bedroom. This would be a huge loss and drive away many potential buyers. You could always put it back, but I always hated to do things twice.

I'd just find another spot for the office, maybe jut a built-in desk area in the kitchen?

Thank you for the reply and your advice! It is much appreciated 🙏 

Post: Turning a closet into an office.

Brett BrideauPosted
  • New to Real Estate
  • Seattle, Washington.
  • Posts 12
  • Votes 5
Quote from @Theresa Harris:

Not many people will want to loose a walk in closet to gain office space in the bedroom either for a rental or their own home.  Find another place to use as an office.


 Thank you for the response and advice! It is greatly appreciated!