All Forum Posts by: Brian Gawronski

@Nicholas Armstrong Thanks for the message on the forum. I will be arriving in Birmingham in 3 weeks and would be very interested in getting together to learn more about how your experience has been so far. I am currently using the internet to learn more about deals in the area and orient myself to Birmingham. I have been in contact with a few turnkey investors so far as well as a mortgage broker in the area. My initial goals are to find a personal residence (either a single family home with renting potential in 4 years or a duplex where I can rent out the other side) and the obtain a cashflowing buy and hold rental in a B class neighborhood.

I guess thats enough of an introduction for now but I appreciate you reaching out and will be in contact once I am in Birmingham.

Brian

@Josh Hooper Thank you very much for the offer to initiate some introductions.  I would very much like to discuss this further in a few weeks.  I will be permanently settling in Birmingham in the beginning of May.  Until that time I am planning on doing my research as to different neighborhoods and have been contacting banks to find the right loan officer for me.  I will be in touch once I become settled in the area and again thank you.

@Tiffani Baggett Congrats on your first investment property!  I think its great that you are a newbie as well and would love to pick your brain on a few of the mistakes you made along the way of this first deal as well as what went smoothly and what you will do differently in the future.  As with Josh, I will be contacting you in about a month when I get settled and would love the chance to buy you coffee or a cocktail to talk further.

@Roy Oliphant When I was in Birmingham about 8 months ago I tried Saws bbq and Full Moon bbq.  Never got the opportunity to check out Johnny Rays or Jim & Nicks or Dreamlands but I imagine once I get to town that all the bbq will become a dietary staple.  

@Phillip Y. Thank you for that insight.  That is a good point about the schools and thus taxes.  I do not currently have any children nor any plans in the immediate future so thats certainly something to consider.

@Phillip Y. As of right now I will be renting a room in a house near downtown for the first few months that I am in town.  Currently I am spending my time trying to find the best neighborhoods around the area and once I am in person will begin driving and hoping to meet people that can guide me in the right direction.  So far I am a little bit familiar with Homewood as I spent the month of July staying there and enjoyed its proximity to downtown but am open to other nearby suburbs as well.  I am open to suggestions or discussing further if you have any ideas.  Please let me know and I can try to tell you a little bit more as to what I am looking for.  

@Toxey McDavid Thank you for the well wishes, much appreciated.

@Jason McLendon I will send you a message when I get into town and would much appreciate hear your knowledge of the different REIAs available.

@Michael Lee Thank you for the offer to assist if I have any questions and the tips on how to get started.

@Brittany Thompson I will also let you know when I arrive in town and would love to hear about how you are able to offer sfh at a discount.  Thank you

@Dmitriy Fomichenko Thank you for the solid tips and support on getting started

Paul,

Thank you for the diligent response and advice.

Brian

Hi, my name is Brian Gawronski and this is my first post to the BiggerPockets community. I am moving to Birmingham, Alabama in 4 weeks and looking to start my new life. For the past 8 months I have been reading real estate books and BP blogs and educating myself as to what I want out of real estate. My goals are to purchase a duplex within 25 minutes of UAB within the next 3-4 months as well as trying to purchase some single family homes for long term buy and hold. I have access to some private capital as well as an excellent credit score and am eligible to qualify for traditional loans also. In the past I have managed 4 rentals for my brother in law but I am at a new stage in my life and committed to beginning with action and taking new steps forward. Thank you BiggerPockets