All Forum Posts by: James Vermillion

Welcome to BP Saul. It sounds buying a duplex and occupying one side and renting the other could be a good option for you as a first property. This gets you out of your parents place and the income for the second unit will help pay for the mortgage.

I have found pictures to be crucial when marketing our rental properties. We make sure our properties are the cleanest, most rent ready properties in the area. People make a lot of assumptions based on pictures (good or bad), so your pictures need to show that the space is clean, functional, ready for tenants.

What Rob K said. This is what I did and it worked to perfection...I have been investing in real estate ever since!

It comes down to comfort level. If your wife was raised in an environment where 401ks and pensions were the norm, that is what she is comfortable with, regardless of the actual risk level in relation to other investment tools (like real estate). You need to figure out how you can sit down and have a discussion about the future, what your family goals are and how you plan on reaching those goals. Show her how real estate can play a major role in reaching those goals and how you will mitigate the inherent risks.

Welcome to BP Antonio! I noticed this was your first post and as Bill pointed out it is a very broad question...so broad in fact that many large books have been written about those subjects.

Please take a second to start a thread in the member introduction forum and tell us a little about yourself, your real estate experience (if you have any), your goals, etc.

As as Bill said, take some time to read through the forums and blogs and listen to the podcasts...those will help you come up with more specific questions, which will yield much better answers.

Welcome to BP Les, it is always great when new members join that can immediately contribute some of their real estate experiences. Don't forget to add a profile picture.

Welcome to BP Vicki. Looks like you will have a lot to contribute in various areas here on BiggerPockets. I am sure you will find some information that will help you get caught up in the vacation marketing arena, and hopefully you will be able to contribute some of your experiences. Good luck!

Brandon,

We were stationed at Tinker AFB when I was born...after that we moved around several times before settling in Ky. I try to make it back to OK once a year or so to catch an OU game.

Welcome to BP Jerry! I got out of the Air Force last summer to pursue real estate and some other opportunities. There are a ton of resources here on Bigger Pockets (forums, blogs, podcasts, networking, etc) so take some time to explore the site. Good luck!

Welcome Brandon Turner (not you Brandon Turner). I was born in Midwest City and still have family in Oklahoma. Good luck to you!

Here is a good conversation that might answer some of your questions:

https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/12/topics/72733-ccim-classes