All Forum Posts by: Cody Guhl

Hey @Eric Partin, welcome to BP! It's great to have another person from Iowa on the site. Sounds like you have some experience, and are looking to branch out and try your hand at some different areas of RE investing. You'll find a whole lot of people willing to help and offer advice and knowledge on the site. If you have any questions, never hesitate to ask - someone is always willing to help out!

Chief Architect is my recommendation. I work in the ProService department at Lowes, and I use this software all the time -not only at Lowes, but for my investing and contracting businesses. It is reasonably priced, and offers a huge amount of flexibility.

@Benjamin Allen - Over the last fifteen years, I've come to be able to do almost anything in construction, from foundations to framing to roofing, and anything in between. Most of that I learned when I rehabbed my own house. Learning these things takes time, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Don't take shortcuts either - learn the correct way to do things, because in the end it will save you time and money. 

The best way to learn these things is to start doing them yourself. @Brandon Turner, in many of the podcasts that he and @Joshua Dorkin put out, mentions reading as many books on home repair as you can, and learning by doing a little bit here and there. 

I wouldn't recommend starting any large projects, such as rewiring an entire home, but learn the basics. Get to know electricians and carpenters. Spend time shadowing them for a while if you can. Go to your local Lowe's or Home Depot Pro Desks and talk to the Sales Specialists. They are more than willing to help and give tips (I know, because I work at a Lowe's Pro Desk). 

Ultimately, the time you dedicate to learning and to doing is well worth it. But it will take a lot of time - often years, to master the many different aspects of rehabbing a home. I commend you for the willingness to learn these things. The skills you learn will be invaluable. 

Thanks @Jill DeWit for the encouragement! Looking forward to learning all I can from the BiggerPockets community.

Thanks Alex and Austin! Have Bennett doing a ton of reading, listening to podcasts, analyzing deals, and meeting with local banks and realtors. Working towards a flip or two before the end of 2016.

How is the market down in Cedar Rapids? I've heard that Dea Moines is pretty hot right now, and Waterloo is kind of a slower market. Just curious what CR is like.

Thank you everyone! Look forward to connecting with you all and learning what I can from each of you.

Thanks @Derek Johnson!

I'm a new member to BiggerPockets (well kind of), looking to get more involved in the BiggerPockets community and become more engaged with investors from the Cedar Valley in eastern Iowa.

I have not invested yet, but plan to as I connect more with other investors in my area and as I learn more from those around me. I plan to work towards getting my real estate license over the next year, to help me as I pursue great deals to purchase. 

What I lack in owning real estate, I make up for in my knowledge of construction and remodeling. My dad is a contractor, and I have been on jobsites since before I was 10. My parents also owned an apartment complex, so I grew up cleaning out units between tenants, and maintaining the units. Finally, I bought the house I currently live in when I was 19, and I have completely rehabbed the home, all the way to stripping the home to the studs inside and out. I have knowledge in electrical work (my grandfather was an electrician for many years), plumbing, HVAC, and everything from the foundation to the roof - inside and out.

Currently, I am a Lowe's ProServices Sales Specialist, so I can use my knowledge in construction, rentals, and flips to help investors in my area. I'm hoping to be able to help investors on this community with the knowledge that I have gained over the last fifteen or so years.