All Forum Posts by: Phuong Tran

@Brian Burke and others: As a new so-called "passive" investor, what you describe above is a too-close for comfort realistic nightmare! I have about the same amount to invest as the original poster (result of an overdue asset diversification) Some industries have a shame wall. Seems like needed for REI. Meanwhile, I will hope to get connected to the "right group".

And I am based in Bangkok, if there are other members who live/work here?

@Paul Warner- Interesting- IN. I will most certainly take you up on your offer to be a resource. With every day I am more humbled by how little I know, how much there is to learn, as well as relieved to know how many other travelers there are on this road. The sign posts you folks are leaving make this traveller's sojourn less lonely, more lit and more enjoyable. Thank you! And as for investment interest, sure, I am open. I am moving significant chunks out of my brokerage account in order to be more diversified. I am not in a rush, but do have liquidity. 

@Tim Moore- thank you! And I see your are from Grand Rapids. As of this week, I own a property on Lexington Ave a block from GVSU and another in Muskegin. I may reach out to get your thoughts on some local matters. Appreciate the reading recs. Where  has your research taken you, or are you still in research phase? Did you make leap and invest with any syndicators? Any early lessons?

@Larry Fried, thank you! I did come across your post. Great to hear from author. I had questions about the option #2 you laid out on private lending. Interesting. I am looking to park/spend down sums that might make this feasible. Who are some of the big players in this arena? WIll send you a PM re dogoodinvesting with reflections totally off RE. Thanks again for post, and most importantly, for trying to do good. 

Thanks, Michael and Todd, this the plan. I am asking for information, doing informational interviews, reading, researching in order to learn more and then narrow down. Hence this post!

@Todd, thanks for your thoughts. I have sent you a request to connect with some details. 

Lane, I am not looking to invest in Thailand. I am only here for work. I am actually looking back in the US, where I am more familiar with law/tax situation and have family. But I am looking around here- mostly Philippines. 

A warm greeting to all from the balmy tropics of Bangkok where I have lived since 2010.  I have been out of the US for work since 2006, sold my one piece of real estate I owned there in 2016, and am looking to diversify out of the stock market into real estate. (I can't change my listing from New York to Bangkok! Something about needing to wait 30 days).  

I am a former war/disasters correspondent for the UN, now taking time off to focus on- no suspense here-  real estate.  I am grateful to the “elders” of this site who have curated such an amazing trove of great information infused with the passion of true converts! Even so, I am a bit lost with my next steps.( FYI: I need to seal deals sight unseen from Bangkok, so I really need to work through trusted, solid intermediaries. Having been out of the US for more than a decade, I am trying to piece together community through amazing conversations with a number of you already. Hope to learn more). 

Here's a short list of stuff I am researching.  I am still reading through the many forums, so please forgive me that these questions are not in the most appropriate forum/conversation threads. if admin could be so kind to paste threads of relevant conversations in response to the below that I may miss otherwise, I would be so grateful!

1. Am interested in chatting with syndicators. I have noted recommended members already and will follow-up directly. But I don't know what I don't know, so am putting this note to the BP universe. Is there any shortcut to finding reputable syndicators other than working networks (which I don’t have quiet yet)? I am not yet an accredited investor, but will look into if needed. 

2. As I am an uber-remote investor, I am researching turnkey operators. Eager to learn from members' experiences, get references (or stay-away warnings), get an idea of average ballpark. I am g

3. Though remote, I love fixer uppers. This is from someone who has never actually DONE one. Is there a service/class of professionals (ie. CDPEs???) specialized for this end of the market? I am not looking to flip (need cash flow), but rather to be able to carry out renovations myself.  If I can't literally drive around a town to check out properties, do you have superstar agents willing to do this, even though their cut is quite small percentage wise?

4. I am closing on 2 properties in Grand Rapids, MI this week. What are some of your favorite programs/software to track your RE investments? What wealth management programs have a nice dashboard to see what percentage of investments sits where, and then from there, allows once to go into more detail on performance? For example, a mix of Personal Capital and Quicken??

5. Because I am taking time of from work- do not have a track record of self employment-  I am learning that despite perfect credit and healthy assets, I would have problems qualifying for a loan on my own. Any advice other than getting a a guarantor/co-signer? I don't have  any income streams now, and don't plan to for a few more months.  

I fear being kicked off/flogged for posting too many questions in the wrong places, so I will stop here for now. 

Thank you, in advance for your collective wisdom and individual sharing. To repay, my door is open here in Bangkok.