All Forum Posts by: Dale Radcliff

Thanks Joe, these are great tips. I’ll be reaching out shortly!

I appreciate the replies everyone! 

Hey everyone,

I’ve been lurking on and off here for about a year now. I recently started listening to the BP podcast and I’ve become extremely motivated to start diving into real estate investing.

I’ve been sitting on the sidelines for about a year because I’m younger, 24 years old, fell on hard times (injury put me down for 7 months), I fell into a fog, trashed my credit, foolishly filed for Bankruptcy even though I wasn’t in a massive amount of debt (30k) and I ended up deeply regretting doing so. But ultimately, I learned from my mistakes. So for about a year now I’ve lived the illusion that getting into real estate investing is impossible for me in my situation.

I’m a licensed contractor located in the Southeast Michigan (Canton, Livonia, Westland area). I’m finally back on my feet financially and mentally. If anything, experiencing these hardships has put me in the best state of mind that I’ve ever been in. I find myself ever more motivated to take on the projects that I do and to build trustworthy relationships with the clients that I do work for, which is something I never put much effort into prior.

I specialize in basement egress window installation but I am just as skilled in whole house remodeling. I’ve worked with and learned everything I know from dad (40 years of trade experience) since I was 14. He retired a few years back.

Anyways, the main point of this post is that I would like to start networking with local investors to learn more about getting into real estate investing.

How would you guys recommend I do so? Aside from learning as much as I can through books, online forums, and the BP podcasts, should I look for a local investor that flips homes and offer my contracting services?

I would also appreciate any advice for my situation (low funds, tarnished credit), thanks for your time! 

Hello everyone,

My name is Dale. I'm a 23 year old Michigan resident and I'm seeking advice on how to get started making money in the real estate industry.

Quick background on me, I'm a licensed contractor in my state and started my own construction company at the age of 18. Things were smooth sailing until I was injured in March of 2016, ankle syndesmosis, and made the biggest mistake of not preparing for such a scenario. Because of the longer than expected recovery, and not being prepared for it, I lost my business, fell into about 30k debt, and I'm now back to working the 9-5 job I had before venturing off on my own for 3-4 years.

So I guess you can say I had everything and lost it all. However, I'm a firm believer that the universe doesn't owe you anything and that get out what you put in. So I'm ready to get back up on my feet and give it everything I've got. I've been contemplating starting the business back up. But with the time off, I have been thinking hard about what I really want to do and it has sparked a passion in me to do something bigger.

I don't want to sound like I'm bragging, but I've noticed the amount of dedication I put into a task, the drive I have to succeed, the way I analyze and observe things, is something most of my peers simply do not have. In fact, I can't say that within the people know, not a single one of them thinks or sees opportunities the way that I do. Now I know there are millions upon millions of people like me, but it's really opening my eyes that the vast majority of people aren't.

Anyways, I'm diving a little to deep. I'm here to ask advice on how and where to get started in real estate. What opportunities there are, for example, wholesaling, etc. What you might recommend for the situation I am in (near broke, debt, and trashed credit)

I don't have a lick of experience in real estate. The only related skills I'd say I might have are being a salesman, I sold 9 out of 10 bids that I did. Straight out of high school, never had a problem with it. Also being a contractor, I can walk through a property and spot code violations as well as favorable and unfavorable conditions of a home that the average homeowner doesn't see. I have had multiple close friends and family that have called me up to come walk through and inspect a home they were looking at buying.

I'm not looking for an unrealistic get rich quick method, I'm simply looking for valuable pointers so I can optimize my time. Forgive me if there are already threads on what I'm asking for. I have not yet dug around on this site yet and plan on doing so today forward. Thank you for your time in advanced!