All Forum Posts by: Florence Oxenham

Thanks! @Ed Wood

@Account Closed I'm in the process of securing my L-2 so no SS card just yet. However, I'm positive that an L-2 gives me the legal right to work in the US. The California Bureau of Real Estate has a list of 'acceptable documents to establish alien status' when applying for the licence. The I-94 (which is what the L visa gets) is there, although it also says 'annotated with stamp showing grant of asylum under Section 208 of the INA'. Er, in English please! I'm still a little miffed (it would help if I could get through to an officer at the Bureau, rather than the unhelpful automated voice machine). I'm hoping @Duncan Taylor is right and that Mr. Garcia has paved the way for all us non-American Americans. So, inconclusive but I'll keep BP posted.

@Nic Williams

Hi Nic, I'm a newbie myself and I've had such a warm reception from the BP community that I felt I should pay that forward. So, a warm welcome to you! The more experienced BPers have given great tips above so I won't add my own 2 cents. But I will tell you that I have only ever been an 'absentee landlord' and employed managers instead (since all my current investments are overseas - long story) but I am hoping to be a more 'hands-on' landlord and self-manage in the future. So, let me - us! - know how you go with the property management, among other things. In short, take advantage of the forums to share your experiences, learnings, and questions so that we, too, might benefit. :)

I've just come out of a meeting with an RE agent and I came away with some interesting information. First off, I need to look into the RE licensing criteria here to see if I qualify as I am (or will soon be) on an L-2 (non-immigrant) visa (i.e. NOT a green card or resident). My visa type might disqualify me from obtaining the RE license altogether despite the fact that an L-2 visa holder can legally work and/or study in the US (I'll have a SSN, bank accounts etc etc). This could also be a road-block to investing in the US but I'm setting up a meeting with a lender to discuss my options. I've just been bit by the RE bug and it would be a shame to have to squash that now! Any thoughts, please do share.

Today I'm taking the first step towards becoming a RE agent - meeting with someone in the industry! At this stage I just have very basic questions since I know zero about it (besides that I have to study for, and eventually sit, an exam to obtain a licence). I'm looking forward to the conversation, and it feels good to be moving forward even if it's baby steps...

Thank you, everyone, for the swift and thoughtful responses and the warm welcome. I will run my numbers and look into Specialized Housing, local REIA club meets, BP meets, among other things, and continue my exploration on BP. Until next time!

Hi All,

My name is Florence and I'm very new to real estate and to the United States (I hail from New Zealand). I'm newly married and my husband and I rent a townhouse in San Mateo, California. Before I met my husband he had made a tidy sum in tech and invested most of it in real estate - in Mauritius (his native land) and Singapore (his adopted homeland). I've made it my full-time job to figure out what that means and to manage these RE investments. To fully immerse myself in the business, I'd like to become a licensed realtor and join an agency.

We're looking to grow and diversify our real estate portfolio, gradually, systematically, both here and overseas. In a week's time I am heading to Auckland, New Zealand, where I hope to secure a deal - my very own, and very first! - on a rental property there. So, I am studying up (quick!) on the basics of RE investing (general concepts) and will be talking to experts in the Auckland property market. Talk about taking action. The BiggerPockets 'Ultimate Beginners Guide...' has been extremely useful - and encouraging! - in my quest thus far.

Since I'm a beginner I'm looking at low-to-medium risk residential properties - single-family and multi-family units. And since I have moolah and no 'know-how' I'm looking at REITs too. Thoughts?

I'm very happy to be a part of the BP community - if you'll have me! - and I look forward to developing my knowledge and capacity in in all things RE through, well, YOU! So, thank you.

Regards,

Flo.