All Forum Posts by: David Macias

Thanks Chris.  I am excited to get going.  Is Fathom specific to the Virginia area or is it an online brokerage. 

Hi everyone,

I am currently a soon-to-be fully licensed (no longer PB) real real estate agent in Jacksonville, NC. I am not affiliated with a firm yet. I am also an active-duty member retiring in about a year and want to find a Real Estate (commercial or residential) skillbridge that will allow me to intern at a firm while I transition out.  In person would be preferred but a remote skillbridge is also an option. A quick google search gave me a few options but I figured someone in the BP community may have the insight or experience in this lane. Semper Fi.

Gotcha,  I can recommend looking at similar listings on sites like airdna and mashvisor to see if it's even worth your time in your market, we purchased in a vacation market and did lots of research before our purchase.  Good luck, it looks like your carefully weighing your options so I'm sure you'll do what's best!

I'd highly recommend managing it yourself. We manage a vacation rental out of state and it has been super easy after the setup. A manager will charge you between 10-20% of your profit for something you could automate and manage easily.  Automate pricing, check in/out, find a reputable cleaner and handyman. After that it's just basic book keeping and sending out a few messages a couple times a week. Well worth saving that extra 20% and controlling who is actually in your property. 

Unfortunately that's quite normal for military housing.  Renting to military families would be a great way to go. I'd never thought about arbitrage in that light, thanks!

Jason, thanks for the input. I'm currently an Active duty military member so my hands are tied a bit with both suggestions. I have 3 years left until I am eligible to retire, and then I plan on being a full time real estate agent and investor. I still would like to grow my portfolio in the mean time and know I will have the time and ability to hone a new skill.

My wife and I currently own a rental property and a STR. They are both doing great and we are ready to continue to grow. As I am currently employed with a good salary I still have time to do something on the side. I have looked into wholesaling, flipping, airbnb arbitrage and will get my RE license Hopefully this year. My question is, with a job that has some flexibility, what income generating option is easiest to jump into as a beginner with some knowledge and experience in real estate investing?

Justin, thanks for your input. Lots of recent renovations have happened in my neighborhood, this sounds like a great idea. Can you explain what you mean by calling the township? Sorry, im wet behind the ears on this subject.

My wife and I are looking to update our rental property in the oceanside, Ca area in order to charge higher rental income.  We don't live locally, but manage the property ourselves and the problem I am having is finding a good GC.  I used the network tool on BP but was only solicited from big companies that I felt were very pricey and big on the sales presentation.   What steps do you take to find and vet a contractor?  Just looking for a starting point. Any help from the veteran property managers out there would be appreciated.

Chad,

Thanks for your input! We will actually be on the coast, but researching the schools makes total sense. I feel a bit late to the game and eager to invest and grow a portfolio that will support us as we transition out. Definitely put family first. Our only concern is my particular unit may be deploying often and have a considerable amount of training, keeping us apart anyways. Being in Alabama she at least has family and friends we trust to help out. Lots going on, probably more of a life question than real estate, haha! From a fellow veteran, thank you for your service.