All Forum Posts by: Jonah Gunalda

@Nicholas L. Not a rhetorical question :-) So I'm happy you answered, and I hope others will chime in.

I appreciate you sharing your investment strategies and your philosophy behind why you do what you do (re: control and liquidity). 

Thanks for your insight @Evan Polaski! Yes, I'm familiar with WCI and have followed the blog/podcasts since I was in residency. Jim Dahle is an active investor in syndications and speaks a lot about REITs and other types of RE investments. Regarding control, I generally do like to have control in most areas of my life. I think we all do to a degree. However, control and time are directly correlated. The more control one has over something, the more of their time it demands. I'm at a stage in life where my time needs to be allocated most to my career as a physician, to my family, my church, and my other commitments, duties, and hobbies. I don't have the interest or the margin to spend my discretionary time actively managing real estate. I guess I have yet to be convinced that owning rentals is a truly passive ("set it and forget it") thing. I do see the tax benefits of owning rentals and how that income can offset my W2 income from a tax standpoint. I just don't know that I want to have an AirBnB side hustle on top of my main job and my other life responsibilities. I'm look more for a vehicle that I can place my investment, let it work for me in the background, and I can reap the returns while I go about my career and family duties. But this whole process of learning about different options is really fascinating and gets me excited about what all is avaiable!

Thanks for reaching out @Brian Burke. I have a copy of your book and have been making my way through it for the last couple of months. A lot to digest but some gold nuggets of information and wisdom!

I have a copy of your book and have been making my way through it for the last couple of months. A lot to digest but some gold nuggets of information and wisdom!

There seems to be quite a bit of polarity in those who invest in syndication and those who do not, for whatever their reason is. Your book makes a strong argument for the benefits of this form of passive investing.

In reading through the comments, there seems to be quite a bit of polarity in those who invest in syndications and those who do not, I’m sure for legitimate personal or logical reasons. Your book makes a strong argument for the benefits of this form of passive investing.

however, for those who do not invest in syndications, I would ask these questions to fully understand your decision:
1. Do you have any personal experience in investing in indications and that’s why you choose to not/no longer invest this way?

2. Do you currently work a full-time job as I do, or is real estate your full-time gig? If you do work full-time, how much of your real estate investing (including BRRRRing properties if you own rentals) occupies your time?

3. Are you primarily motivated by the idea of ownership in the assets rather than someone else owning and managing it?

Value everyone’s thoughts, opinions, and experiences!

Thanks @Chris Seveney!

@Chris Seveney could you elaborate more on point number 2? I want to be sure I’m understand what your point of reference is. Thanks!

Thanks for your questions @V.G Jason. I anticipate my response may receive some criticism on this forum since I’m a newbie to the game. But, as I mentioned in my intro and my bio, I am fully engaged in my work as an emergency position and still really enjoy what I do. I’m not looking to get out of medicine anytime soon. So passive to me is something that allows me to fully engage in my work as a physician while also allowing my discretionary (investment) money to work for me in the background. I really don’t have an interest in being a landlord in any way. Even though rental properties can be somewhat passive, there are still things to keep an eye on, like collecting rent, making sure utilities get paid, ensuring property management is doing their thing, etc. Too much of a side hustle for me. And I realize everyone’s experience with rentals is different. I would rather do due diligence in vetting sponsors, building relationships (like on this platform), and evaluating deals, then place my investment and go back to being in the ER doctor while the GP does the work for me. Hopefully this view of passive is not too warped from reality! 

I do understand that everything has risk. And I do not intend to leverage myself such that a complete loss of capital would be financially catastrophic. In the grand scheme of things, these are what I would consider first world problems. To have enough discretionary funds to be able to invest at this level means that even if a deal goes completely down the drain, I can still feed my family, tithe to my church, pay my bills, and try again later.

I do appreciate the probing nature of your questions! It is good for me to continue to reflect on my definitions and risk tolerance.

Thanks @Jay Hinrichs for the warm welcome and your encouragement and advice about my local market. I’ll take you up on your offer to send me your list of names, just shoot me a private message. 

Wow @Ian Ippolito thanks! That's a lot to take in, so give me time to digest everything and I'll reach out to you if I have follow up questions, which I probably will. Sponsor vetting seems to be quite intense but necessary. I like that you talk to others about potential deals and allow them to poke holes in the details. Great advice about what to be wary of in the due diligence process. Thanks again!

Hey BP community, I'm Jonah.  I'm looking to learn more about passive real estate investing, syndications, and other passive or semi-passive streams of income or equity building. I'm 37 and about 8 years into my emergency medicine career. I love my W2 job and am not looking for replacement income, but I do want to diversify my investment portfolio in the real estate sector while keeping my focus on what I love and do best -- emergency medicine! Looking to connect with like-minded individuals on this platform, or those who have gone before me and can share their Dos and Don'ts from their own experience. I realize the RE world is vast and full of scams, jargoned underwriting, salespeople, and crooks. I'm hoping to broaden my real estate literacy and savvy, as well as learn how to source, evaluate, and secure sponsors and deals that meet my financial goals. Looking forward to connecting!