All Forum Posts by: Raymond E. Hopkins

Abel, Thanks for the feed back and letting me know a little bit more about you. I do plan to find my local REIA. Hopefully, I'll find some quality investors to network with. Have you had a positive experience with your REIA? The furthest north I've been thus far was Lynchburg, Va when I visited the campus of Liberty University for my graduation last year. Baseball fan, huh. Too bad we can't be friends, because I'm a Red Sox fan lol. I've not been to any MLB games, but would love to one day. I did own season tickets to the OKC Thunder a year or so ago. Good luck with your goal. Keep grinding, because you'll need more than just luck to hit 1000! I look forward to seeing your progress.

Mindy,

I am interested as a home owner and landlord, but I do not think I would consider adding the solar panels until I was in need of a roof.  It seems to be a pricey set up, but if the electric companies were going to pay you for any unused electricity it could drastically reduce the expense over time!

Hello,

I am new to BP, and after just a few days cruising through the site I decided it was time to go Pro.  

Who am I:
I am a motivated man, who knows he needs help in reaching his goals.  I am a quick learner, loyal, and hard worker. 

What I offer:
I have a decent job (typically making lending easier), excellent credit, experience in rehabs, experience in construction, an eye for deals, and sales and marketing experience.  
 
Who I'd like to meet:
I am hoping to meet and network with local investor, so that we can exchange information on contractors, do and don't for our market, and help each other achieve our goals.  Do not hesitate to contact me if you are not from Oklahoma if you think you and I can help each other achieve our goals. 

Real Estate Goals:
We are looking to start building our rental portfolio with single family, multi family, and a few vacation rentals. We also plan to do a handful of annual flips to supply a surge in cash flow.

Real Estate Accomplishments:
Bought a 1700sf 3bd/2ba on 2 acres for $35,000 on a owner finance.  Put my savings from the money I earned while serving in Iraq into the house, about $20,000.  The house appraised at $125,000.  I still own the property and have a lease to own contract on the house.  The house has $40,000 in equity (refinanced), and has positive cash flow.

Real Estate Currently:
Remodeling a 3000sf 4bd/2 1/2ba on 10 acres (has a 2 1/2 car garage and office as well). We purchased for $86,000, and were planning to be all in around $160,000 with a conservative ARV of $286,000. We had some contractor trouble, but are nearly finished with the remodel all in for just under $200,000.

If you've made it to this point, do me a favor and tell me a little about yourself.

Where are you from?
What is your unfathomable real estate goal (But, there is something inside you that says you'll achieve it)?
What drives you?
What do you do for fun?

I am a Christian real estate investor, family man, veteran, and owner of a particularly sweet beard. I am from the Pott. County area. I am currently a landlord of 1 unit, but looking to expand. I've used the BRRR method on my rental property, and currently doing a similar strategy with our personal dwelling. I enjoy spending time with my family, especially my three kids. I also enjoy hunting. Pistols Firin' (Rudolph for Heisman this year)

Hello Okies, I am new to Bigger Pockets, and I am looking to network with fellow Oklahomans to start out. Respond by telling everyone the following: Who are- Where you are from- How are you involved in real estate- (Flipper, Landlord, Agent, Lender, etc.) Hobbies other than real estate- Boomer Sooner or Pistols Firin'? Thank you for participating!

I'm new to investing, but am a local here in Oklahoma. I would say both cities are growing with the surrounding suburbs expanding rapidly. Depending on your situation I believe you could easily manage deals in both cities, as they are only a few hours apart.

Thank you, Micheal. I plan to raid the book store on Bigger Pockets soon. I just watched the podcast with Amanda Han on taxes, so now I know the books I purchase may be a tax write off as well!

Hello,

My name is Raymond E. Hopkins, and I am from a small town in Oklahoma.  I guess I have been in real estate investing unknowingly for about 7-8 years after buying my first property that was a nearly a 100% remodel.  That property has now been rented out now, and we are currently remodeling our second home.  Although we have had some major bumps in the road, both houses have doubled in value and we have tens of thousands (maybe a hundred thousand once we are finished with our second remodel)  in equity in both homes.  I would contribute our success through our difficulties to a little bit of know how and a lot of blind luck. 

I recently stumbled across Bigger Pockets on YouTube.  I have now been binge watching the YouTube channel, as well as listening to the podcast in the car.  I am hoping to learn more about the multitude of way to finance deals.  I seem to have a knack at finding deals (I've missed out on a few deals between the two I have done), but lack the knowledge on how to finance deals.  One of my deals was a owner finance and the second took me by surprise when the bank approved it. 

I am currently trying to take in as much information as possible, and starting to build my actual plan to reach my goals.  I am hoping to activate these plans by the end of the summer as we wrap up our current remodel.  At this point I am not requesting any help, as I will likely find most of my questions answered through the various content outlets on Bigger Pockets.  But, if any of you are interested in networking, learning more about me,  or following my future progress feel free to check out my profile and contact me even if it is just to say hello!

Thanks!

(Image below is just some of the progress in our current remodel)