All Forum Posts by: James Brand

Welcome @Omar P.!

You have come to the right place! Great first step to learning and investing.

Consider developing your profile a bit, it helps other get to know you.

Other tips, I highly recommend BP's Ultimate Beginner's Guide, it helps to form a general foundation in the industry. Additionally listen to the BP Podcast and you will find yourself discussing REI in a much more professional manner very quickly. Also if you are a bookworm, check out the list of BP's 21 Best Real Estate Books, and start checking them off.

Philadelphia also has some very useful online tools to access public records.

I live/work in the city and am happy to discuss REI there anytime...

Best of luck!

-James

Welcome @Edward Thornton

You have come to the right place! Great first step to learning and investing.

Firstly, I want to say good job not giving up on REI when at first you were not successful. That kind of determination is what it takes to succeed in this field. Could very well be you need to broaden your knowledge base of REI.

I highly recommend BP's Ultimate Beginner's Guide, it helps to form a general foundation in the industry. Additionally listen to the BP Podcast and you will find yourself discussing REI in a much more professional manner very quickly. Also if you are a bookworm, check out the list of BP's 21 Best Real Estate Books, and start checking them off.

Between Harrisburg, Baltimore, and Philadelphia I am sure you will be able to find a suitable market for you.

Best of luck!

-James

Hey @Adam Bartomeo,

Not unlike many who have posted in this forum, I agree that the low barrier to entry is the underlying cause for poor performance. Additionally, I believe that many Realtors begin their career without a reserve and thus feel they need to do whatever they can to make ends meet and get deals done, which can foster bad practices. 

I became a Realtor because of the service my fiance' was given from a RE salesperson in Philadelphia, she had just left a terrible apartment and was determined to get her own place so that she did not have to rely on a landlord. Her agent listened to what she wanted, managed her expectations, and sought out properties in areas where he would "feel comfortable having his sister live". 

Watching this process from start to finish I became interested in Real Estate, as it seemed like a very rewarding career, working with people and helping them with one of the largest decisions in their life. I began my career part-time while working on that very Realtor's team. Many shy away from those who are in this industry part-time, but for me it was a fantastic way to begin as I felt no financial pressure. This allowed me to develop systems and practices that were focused on quality not commission. Additionally, the horror stories about the service people received from agents seemed like an exquisite opportunity.

All in all, there will always be bad agents, but just like anything when you choose a professional you need to vet them. Ensure that they have a track record for providing an exceptional service and you will find yourself working with a true professional.

-James

Welcome @Account Closed!

Seems like you are off to a great start to learn the industry.

As others have mentioned definitely subscribe to the BP Podcast and you will find yourself discussing REI in a much more professional manner very quickly.

I also highly recommend BP's Ultimate Beginner's Guide, it helps to form a general foundation in the industry and it is free! Lastly, check out the list of BP's 21 Best Real Estate Books, and start checking them off. The first book on the list is Brandon Turner's which covers investing with low/no money, a strategy you seem to have interest in.

I definitely back @Troy Sheets's advice about walking the areas to get a feel for them. You should also check out some of his rehabs that he has documented on BP, really cool stuff.

Philadelphia also has some very useful online tools to access public records.

Best of luck!

-James

Welcome to BP Michael!

I highly recommend BP's Ultimate Beginner's Guide, it helps to form a general foundation in the industry.

If you are looking to get into wholesaling, I believe the key is to be an expert on whatever area of the city you are looking to invest. Drive, run, and walk each and every block so that you know each one. Then start reaching out to the owners of properties. There are a lot of different strategies on how to lock down deals as a wholesaler, once you know the area better than most you can really start to get going.

Best of luck!

-James

Welcome @Zinzi A.!

As others have mentioned, you have come to the right place! Great first step to learning and investing.

I highly recommend BP's Ultimate Beginner's Guide, it helps to form a general foundation in the industry. Additionally listen to the BP Podcast and you will find yourself discussing REI in a much more professional manner very quickly. Also if you are a bookworm, check out the list of BP's 21 Best Real Estate Books, and start checking them off.

Philadelphia also has some very useful online tools to access public records.

I live/work in the city and am happy to discuss REI there anytime...

Best of luck!

-James

I would clean up the brick, consider removing more of that arch to open up that space and definitely get rid of the awning. Just my $.02.

Welcome @Eddie Mateo!

As others have mentioned, you have come to the right place! Great first step to learning and investing.

I highly recommend BP's Ultimate Beginner's Guide, it helps to form a general foundation in the industry. You already mentioned that you listen to the BP Podcast so continue doing that and you will find yourself discussing REI in a much more professional manner very quickly. Additionally, check out the list of BP's 21 Best Real Estate Books, and start checking them off.

Now for student rentals: @Jeremy Chaudet was right to recommend University City as a great location, however the desirable areas are usually outside of what a new investor can afford. Properties near Temple University, however are much more reasonable. Also, the area around Philadelphia University has some options, yet not as many.

Philadelphia also has some very useful online tools to access public records.

I live/work in the city and am happy to discuss REI there anytime...

Best of luck!

-James

Hey Jeremy,

I reached out to @Troy Sheets's guy, he seemed solid. Will definitely talk numbers with him once I close on my MFH in Point Breeze. Thanks again for the recommendation, and good luck with your renovation Tryoy, I was following the pictures on your post. I might document one of my client's flips for the benefit of BPers once we get a subject property under contract.

-James

Welcome to BP Simon,

I am a Drexel Alum, sounds like you have put together a nice sized portfolio already. I think your goal should be to find a local lender and discuss the options available to you given the properties you already own. You might be able to leverage them to secure financing for other investments.

Best of luck!

-James