All Forum Posts by: Brandon Krieg

@Jonathan Thrasher - Great to have you! There's a very nice group of West Michigan people on here.  If coffee works, I'm happy to meet!

@Ben Tilburn - there are a number of options for you.  You can seek out some 'turnkey' property providers, if you are interested in buying and holding without much hands on work.  You can partner with Realtors and Wholesalers if you want help acquiring properties yourself.  And of course, if you need property management / inspection work, there are people that can help as well.

What are you hoping for?  Thanks for clarifying!

HI @Joe Beach,

There are a LOT of good books on understanding rentals, cap rates, flip numbers, etcetera.  It sounds like you are more interested in buying and holding rental properties - is that right?  That is is an excellent way to long term wealth, and it sounds like you've already laid a nice foundation financially.

If so, there are a few books I could recommend, although I focus primarily on flips, with some other types of deals worked in.  

Otherwise, welcome! It's great to have you here.

@Jonathan Thrasher - Welcome!

The decision to flip or rent comes down to your preferences and goals.  Do you want to build up a larger pool of cash for your investments, knowing that it will likely be more time intensive when you start?  Flipping might be for you.

Would you prefer to start earning cashflow right away, even though it may be longer before you can purchase your second investment property? Buy and hold may win out.

Also, there is a lot to learn, in either option.  What interests you more? If one of the two is much more appealing, you may want to go in that direction to start.  Because it can take a long time to get off the ground.  You can be successful in both fields... find what speaks to you.

And also, ask for help.  People are willing!

HI @Alex Heckaman - my advice would be to start with just a few areas you like.  Greater Kalamazoo is a big area, with a lot of sub-markets.  Pick some good areas, and focus your efforts there.  Once you're comfortable, you can expand geographically.

Area advice really depends on what you're going for.  Student rentals? Section 8 Housing? Flips? Basically, the spot is determined by the strategy (or the other way around, I suppose).  

Other than that, reach out and make good connections.  There are good West Michigan folks here on BP, and more good connections will speed up your success.  Good luck!

@Eric Dillavou - Welcome! I work in Kalamazoo as well, and love the area.  West Michigan is great.

If you're looking for advice, you will get plenty on BiggerPockets... just start cruising the forums.  (:

My piece of advice is three fold.  First, take it one step at a time.  Real estate can have a daunting learning curve, so just focus on your next one step and do it.  

Secondly, be ready for the long-game.  In my experience, overnight success in RE is largely a myth.  It takes time, a lot of hard work, and a fair bit of failure before you see your effort pay off.  This is normal, and if you can push through it, you will find great success.

Third, create great relationships with people.  Work with good people, and your life gets a lot more rewarding.

I probably have 53 other pearls of wisdom from getting knocked around a lot, but I'll stick to those for now.  (: Welcome!

Welcome @Josh Cunningham!  You already know this, but you're in a good area for investing.  I look forward to interacting (and hopefully working) with you in the near future.

Hi @Jeremy Scherer,

Check out the RPOA (rpoaonline.org) for a great deal of information regarding rentals, and a lot more.  It has a paid membership, but I have found it well worth it.  

Another group is the West Michigan Real Estate Investors Club (www.meetup.com/westmichiganreiclub).  This is a group that currently meets once a month at Buffalo Wild Wings in Wyoming, and typically has at least 40 members at each meeting.  They happen to have a meeting tonight at 6 PM, if you're available!

I find great value in both groups.  However, you can take my word for a grain of salt, since I help organize some things for both groups.  (:  

Call Zach Santmier - Trumble Agency.  He should be able to help!

Well thanks @Michael Lerch! Kind words... (:

As you can see, there are a ton of great people on here willing to help.  Jump in, the water's great!