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All Forum Posts by: Garett Biondo

Garett Biondo has started 1 posts and replied 14 times.

Post: Career and Identity Crisis

Garett Biondo
Pro Member
Posted
  • New to Real Estate
  • Encinitas, CA
  • Posts 14
  • Votes 1
Quote from @Dave Poeppelmeier:
Quote from @Garett Biondo:

Hey BP community. I come to you with a predicament that I'm hoping to get some outside perspective on. I'm a structural engineer with zero passion for my current career path. The only reason I studied engineering was because my strength in grade school was math and I didn't really know what I wanted to do. It wasn't until a little over a year ago when I discovered BP that I realized what I want to be and that is a full-time real estate investor.

I have consumed a lot of pages and podcasts in the past year so I know how helpful it is to have a high-paying W2 to fast-track your way to FI. An engineering career path can provide that, but it requires a PE license and quite a bit of experience. I'm at the stage in my career where there is pressure to study for and take the PE exam. However, I feel like I'm living a lie working in a field that makes me unhappy just because it'll provide me stable and sufficient income to invest in RE. Also, if i do get my license, it would feel like a waste of time and money when I jump into this thing full time. I'm at a crossroads and I want to follow the path that rewards me with both enjoyment and the tools necessary to become a successful investor. If you were in my shoes, would you switch to a career within the real estate industry due to your passion in REI? If so, what occupation would make the most sense? Or would you stick with engineering and invest until you can quit when you hit FI?

I really appreciate any suggestions/guidance you can think of!

- Garett B.

Garett, I was in the exact same spot you are in. I was a Physical Therapist, a degree and license that I had to fight hard to get. However, I knew after not too long that it was not what I wanted to do my whole life. It took a LOT of books and audiobooks (podcasts weren't a thing yet) to start the mental transformation to get rid of the W2 mindset and how to go into business for myself. I was MISERABLE for about 10 years until I was finally able to leave PT in December 2020. But, at that time we had about 13 properties, my wife was doing well as a Realtor, and we could make the switch to me being a Realtor/Full Time Investor and I worked in our PM for peanuts to get even more experience. 

You have started to make the mental transformation, and unfortunately, you're going to be miserable as an Engineer until you can get out. But, if getting this PE license is going to help you make even more income to purchase properties, then I would say suck it up, knock it out, and make those $$$ to invest. Trust me, I am 100x happier as a person doing something that I love as a Realtor and Investor, and it was all worth it. Let me know if you have any other questions, I'd be happy to answer. 


 You're right, I think the smartest and quickest way to acquire properties is probably going to be staying in my field and getting licensed. It's nice hearing from someone that was in a similar spot I am. I'm definitely more motivated now to just keep pushing through with the end goal always in focus. Thanks Dave!

Post: Career and Identity Crisis

Garett Biondo
Pro Member
Posted
  • New to Real Estate
  • Encinitas, CA
  • Posts 14
  • Votes 1
Quote from @Marc Stevenson:

@Garett Biondo  My advice would be to do both.  While you've determined that your current career path isn't what you want to do forever, you've invested a lot of time/energy/money to get there.  It can build a bridge to your ultimate calling.  I did this.  I was a sales manager many years and did will.  I realized it wasn't what I wanted to do forever, so I began feverishly saving/investing/learning in RE until the right door opened and allowed me to pursue my passion.  I wish you all the best.


 Thanks Marc. Along with building a bridge to RE financially, I do think the nature of the work could mesh well with it too. Maybe I need to find work that specializes in remodels or something that will be give me an advantage when I start investing.

Post: Career and Identity Crisis

Garett Biondo
Pro Member
Posted
  • New to Real Estate
  • Encinitas, CA
  • Posts 14
  • Votes 1
Quote from @Drew Sygit:

@Garett Biondo 

If I had to start all over again, I'd look to acquire a 2-4 unit property with an FHA low-down payment mortgage.

Getting it under market value would be a bonus.

So, would using an FHA 203k renovation loan, which would allow me to buy something unqualified for a standard mortgage, which would weed out a lot of competition and push the price lower.

Hopefully, I would increase the value of the property in 1-2 years and be able to refi out of the FHA mortgage. I'd also learn a lot about maintenance and managing tenants.

Then, with my hands-on experience, I could decide if I wanted to repeat the process or target 5+ units - which my experience would help with lenders.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do!


I am definitely interested in using an FHA loan on a house hack and this sounds like a great way to scale quickly. Thanks Drew!

Post: Career and Identity Crisis

Garett Biondo
Pro Member
Posted
  • New to Real Estate
  • Encinitas, CA
  • Posts 14
  • Votes 1
Quote from @Alex Forest:
Quote from @Garett Biondo:
Quote from @Scott E.:
Quote from @Garett Biondo:
Quote from @Scott E.:

I struggled with the same identity crisis when I worked in Corporate America. It started at the age of 25, and I didn't end up leaving until the age of 35.

During that window of time I invested in real estate mornings, evenings, and weekends. I made a bunch of money, saved a bunch of money, and got myself mentally comfortable with the idea of "leaving the rat race" to pursue real estate full time.

I'm not saying that you should stay in your engineering job for another 10 years, but you should definitely get some investing experience under your belt before you leave.

In the meantime, learn to love your job. I made a point to appreciate my coworkers, my team, my salary, my benefits, and the routines that came with working a job in Corporate America. That made it to where I didn't make a rash decision to leave before the time was right.


 Thanks for the reply, Scott. I know that I can't stay in engineering for another 10 years if I want to keep my head. It really isn't for me. It sounds like sucking it up for the next few years is my best bet for early FI though.


You keep saying "FI" and I think you're referring to financial independence.

Don't take this the wrong way, but you will not achieve financial independence within the next few years. Unless you hit the lottery, it's just not going to happen that fast.

What you are looking at doing here is making a career change, you're not looking to achieve financial independence.

I think it's important to make that distinction so you don't set yourself up for disappointment.

Let me clarify. I wasn't implying that I'll only need a few years to achieve financial independence. I guess what I'm trying to do is kill two birds with one stone. I want to find a career that I love and will provide me with decent income that I can invest so I can become financially independent eventually. I figured since I love learning about RE and want to start investing that it might make sense to immerse myself in that industry with a W2 job. I absolutely am looking to achieve financial independence and I know it will take time. That's why I want to enjoy the journey.


 Have you checked job boards at those type of companies or looked into the positions and roles they have within?  Maybe something like CBRE, Costar, local developer, etc? It would be a career change for sure. I don't know what type of backgrounds some of those large companies l typically like to pull from, but wouldn't think engineering (with it's analytical nature and work ethic that typically are associated with this background) would be a negative.  Just a thought.


 I've done a little bit of research and I have really only seen routes like property management and becoming an agent. I'm sure there are others but that's the extent of my research so far. If I worked for a developer, I'd more or less be doing the same engineering work but in a different sector than I am now. That is something I should put more thought into though, thanks for the tip!

Post: Career and Identity Crisis

Garett Biondo
Pro Member
Posted
  • New to Real Estate
  • Encinitas, CA
  • Posts 14
  • Votes 1
Quote from @Scott E.:
Quote from @Garett Biondo:
Quote from @Scott E.:

I struggled with the same identity crisis when I worked in Corporate America. It started at the age of 25, and I didn't end up leaving until the age of 35.

During that window of time I invested in real estate mornings, evenings, and weekends. I made a bunch of money, saved a bunch of money, and got myself mentally comfortable with the idea of "leaving the rat race" to pursue real estate full time.

I'm not saying that you should stay in your engineering job for another 10 years, but you should definitely get some investing experience under your belt before you leave.

In the meantime, learn to love your job. I made a point to appreciate my coworkers, my team, my salary, my benefits, and the routines that came with working a job in Corporate America. That made it to where I didn't make a rash decision to leave before the time was right.


 Thanks for the reply, Scott. I know that I can't stay in engineering for another 10 years if I want to keep my head. It really isn't for me. It sounds like sucking it up for the next few years is my best bet for early FI though.


You keep saying "FI" and I think you're referring to financial independence.

Don't take this the wrong way, but you will not achieve financial independence within the next few years. Unless you hit the lottery, it's just not going to happen that fast.

What you are looking at doing here is making a career change, you're not looking to achieve financial independence.

I think it's important to make that distinction so you don't set yourself up for disappointment.

Let me clarify. I wasn't implying that I'll only need a few years to achieve financial independence. I guess what I'm trying to do is kill two birds with one stone. I want to find a career that I love and will provide me with decent income that I can invest so I can become financially independent eventually. I figured since I love learning about RE and want to start investing that it might make sense to immerse myself in that industry with a W2 job. I absolutely am looking to achieve financial independence and I know it will take time. That's why I want to enjoy the journey.

Post: Career and Identity Crisis

Garett Biondo
Pro Member
Posted
  • New to Real Estate
  • Encinitas, CA
  • Posts 14
  • Votes 1

@Martin M.

You make great points. I know that it'll be much easier for me starting out if I stick with a W2 for lending purposes. I guess my issue is that my current W2 doesn't make me happy and I've seriously been considering a career switch. Not the best scenario when you're trying to get to FI quickly! Either way, I will definitely continue to educate myself in my free time and do a deep-dive into the different lending options that are out there. Thanks, Martin!

Post: Career and Identity Crisis

Garett Biondo
Pro Member
Posted
  • New to Real Estate
  • Encinitas, CA
  • Posts 14
  • Votes 1
Quote from @Nick Barlow:

@Garett Biondo I would ask myself if it’s the type of work, the boss, or the environment that makes me unhappy.

I wouldn’t bail on your current path until you’ve tried a different position in your company with a different boss, or a new company altogether. Also, heading into a likely recession, learn everything you can now so you’re ready for the alternatives if life forces you to choose them.


 Thanks Nick, you're probably right. Engineering is very specialized and you can't really come back to it if you leave it. I should probably explore as many options as I can while I'm saving for my first investment.

Post: Career and Identity Crisis

Garett Biondo
Pro Member
Posted
  • New to Real Estate
  • Encinitas, CA
  • Posts 14
  • Votes 1
Quote from @Alex Forest:
Quote from @Garett Biondo:

Hey BP community. I come to you with a predicament that I'm hoping to get some outside perspective on. I'm a structural engineer with zero passion for my current career path. The only reason I studied engineering was because my strength in grade school was math and I didn't really know what I wanted to do. It wasn't until a little over a year ago when I discovered BP that I realized what I want to be and that is a full-time real estate investor.

I have consumed a lot of pages and podcasts in the past year so I know how helpful it is to have a high-paying W2 to fast-track your way to FI. An engineering career path can provide that, but it requires a PE license and quite a bit of experience. I'm at the stage in my career where there is pressure to study for and take the PE exam. However, I feel like I'm living a lie working in a field that makes me unhappy just because it'll provide me stable and sufficient income to invest in RE. Also, if i do get my license, it would feel like a waste of time and money when I jump into this thing full time. I'm at a crossroads and I want to follow the path that rewards me with both enjoyment and the tools necessary to become a successful investor. If you were in my shoes, would you switch to a career within the real estate industry due to your passion in REI? If so, what occupation would make the most sense? Or would you stick with engineering and invest until you can quit when you hit FI?

I really appreciate any suggestions/guidance you can think of!

- Garett B.


Hey Garett, my two cents is try changing jobs and probably location. Maybe even look at a a job that can utilize your background but is not what you think of as a typical structural engineering job (forensics, disaster recovery) if it might be of interest. Change it up. Move close to the area you want to live and look for a job that can work while you use your free time on REI. At the same time, seek to get into REI, that W2 will be useful, and network. Another thought as you network, Is there a way your background and PE can compliment others in the field and add value?

Change it up, leverage your income to leverage loans.


 Great advice, Alex. Thanks! It wouldn't hurt to research other avenues within my discipline. I at least know I need to see what other jobs I can find in my area because this one isn't it. I do think my background could be beneficial down the line if I do any rehabs. I just don't enjoy it that much and have been discouraged lately because I haven't found anything that excites me in this industry thus far.

Post: Career and Identity Crisis

Garett Biondo
Pro Member
Posted
  • New to Real Estate
  • Encinitas, CA
  • Posts 14
  • Votes 1
Quote from @Katelynne Donoghue:

So happy to hear you found what lights you up! I know how you feel, I had this same identity crisis in my previous career as a nurse, and am so happy I am now doing what I love as an agent. 

If you have the cash now, get started investing. If you stay in your W2 to save up capital, do whatever you can to find joy in the job for however long you need to be there, and stay focused on the purpose it is serving you.

Then when you do take the leap into investing full time, remember: if your dream doesn't scare you, it's not big enough. The biggest rewards come from the biggest risks. 

Hope this helps!


 Thanks, Katelynne. This is very reassuring. Can I ask what made you decide to leave nursing and become an agent? I've always been curious about that career path.

Post: Career and Identity Crisis

Garett Biondo
Pro Member
Posted
  • New to Real Estate
  • Encinitas, CA
  • Posts 14
  • Votes 1
Quote from @Tim Robbie:
Quote from @Garett Biondo:

Hey BP community. I come to you with a predicament that I'm hoping to get some outside perspective on. I'm a structural engineer with zero passion for my current career path. The only reason I studied engineering was because my strength in grade school was math and I didn't really know what I wanted to do. It wasn't until a little over a year ago when I discovered BP that I realized what I want to be and that is a full-time real estate investor.

I have consumed a lot of pages and podcasts in the past year so I know how helpful it is to have a high-paying W2 to fast-track your way to FI. An engineering career path can provide that, but it requires a PE license and quite a bit of experience. I'm at the stage in my career where there is pressure to study for and take the PE exam. However, I feel like I'm living a lie working in a field that makes me unhappy just because it'll provide me stable and sufficient income to invest in RE. Also, if i do get my license, it would feel like a waste of time and money when I jump into this thing full time. I'm at a crossroads and I want to follow the path that rewards me with both enjoyment and the tools necessary to become a successful investor. If you were in my shoes, would you switch to a career within the real estate industry due to your passion in REI? If so, what occupation would make the most sense? Or would you stick with engineering and invest until you can quit when you hit FI?

I really appreciate any suggestions/guidance you can think of!

- Garett B.


 Do you have the resources to start in RE now?

if so then why wait?


 I have some cash reserves, but not enough to get started on my own in my market. Ideally, my first deal won't require a huge cash outlay because I want to leverage primary residence lending options. I think it might be smarter to wait until I've either saved more or I've moved to a market with a smaller barrier to entry.