All Forum Posts by: Lara Gott

Congrats Evan! I am an out of state investor currently looking in the Cleveland area for my first property. So glad to hear there are others who have found some great deals there. How has it been going so far? Have you been able to find a great property manager? Do you have tenants yet?

Hi! First time investor here looking at finding my first property. I found a few homes that looked promising at first, but they said they require a POS inspection/certification. I'm in California and looking in Ohio, and this is something I am not familiar with.  Anyone have experience with this? I'm looking to learn all I can, and appreciate any wisdom you would like to share. 

A simple and helpful post, thanks! Love the part about having an exit plan, and also about don't over-renovate. Two tips that were new and helpful to me as a first time investor.

 Thanks @Alfath Ahmed for the info. Much appreciated. I noticed that you said most of your clients buy turnkey investment properties. Do you find that they still have a decent cashflow? I don't have any of my own experience yet, but from what I have read, it seems like the most strategic way to go is to buy a fixer upper for lower than market value and gain forced equity by fixing it up prior to renting it. I know for me personally, I just looked at a property that a realtor sent me that just got rehabbed and is on the market, and it doesn't look like I would have any cashflow, and possibly even lose money. As a first time investor, getting a property that needs a lot of work feels daunting, especially when I am states away, but I don't forsee turnkey representing the numbers I need to go forward. I would love to hear your insight on this. Thanks!

 Thanks @Samuel Diouf! Trying to get these elements in place.

@James Wise Thanks for saying hi : )

@Travis Main Thanks so much for the welcome and offer of help. Much appreciated. 

@Nicholas L. Thanks for your caution. It is a good reminder to be extra cautious before going into anything. Are the things you noted based on experiences that you have had? 

Hi all! I'm Lara, new to bigger pockets and new to real estate investing (or real estate in general for that matter). I am a Jesus following homeschool mom of four, married to a teacher. Last year I stumbled upon a post by a fellow homeschool mom who shared her top five financial books she's read, and that started me on a journey of reading and discovering how we hope to have our money grow. We've always had the dream of real estate investing but it seemed way too out of reach (still feels a little scary), but I have read a few real estate investing books and feel hopeful and excited to start down the REI road.

We live in north county San Diego and are looking to invest out of state, likely the Dayton, OH area. Our goal is to focus on buy and hold properties for now, and we are hoping to purchase our first property in the next few months. As mentioned earlier, I have very little experience but I am eager to learn and excited to go for it in 2024! 

Thanks for reading so far and being interested in my story. Many well wishes to you, my new bigger pockets friends : )