I should be so much further along in life than I am now, I've had a low 6 figure paying job in IT since I was 20' and up until last year, didn't utilize my checking account and was basically living pay check to pay check, with nothing to show for it now but being in debt with a couple cars and a bunch of useless things I do not need.I decided for my 25th birthday in a couple months, i want to start building wealth, i want to be able to by my 26th birthday have one or 2 properties that i've either bought to hold, or flipped... havent decided which is better for me yet, I'm still doing research but I am giving myself an action date of my birthday in a couple months so I'm not struck with analysis paralysis and time to save some money.I plan on attending the next meetings for all of the Maryland/DC area REIC meetings, and being active on forums, but will try not to be annoying and ask a bunch of questions instead of using the search function...I know how annoying that is hahaHope to get to know and work with a lot of you

Room and board at the college is $8,000/school year.Question: given the need to pay for room for (my) student attending college or purchase of trailer, how do I tell at what point one option is financially better than the other?

There was one REIA meeting today that is well worth attending, the Mastermind @ Big Daddies (183 & Burnet Rd), held every Thursday @ 11:30 AM.The other is Austin's unofficial monthly BP meetup, held the second Wednesday @ 10 AM.

As someone who's put down 20k on one of those guru training programs(The usefuleness is debatable since it did propel me into action), I can tell you that there's nothing that digging up some willpower, sitting down and doing some self studies through BP, and spending $100 on real estate books and attending REIA meetings and building relationships with investors/brokers/power team members in your market can't teach you.I'd discourage starting off your RE investing career by taking the easy route and trying to get the lessons handed to you when hard work and experience is really the best mentor you can have.It's been said many time, but if you are able to find a good deal, there will be more than enough people/firms willing to fund it.

When the bidder has owned other properties with equity I have been able to reach terms on the existing property that would let the bidder attend the auction confident that funding would be available should they place a winning bid.

Scott The Book on Flipping Houses,The Book on Estimating ReHab Costshttp://www.biggerpockets.com/flippingbook Locate and attend 3 different local REIA club meetings great place to meet people gather resources and info.

welcome @Christopher Roy you found a great information resource in bigger pockets I am across the state on the west coast but I attend the Cfri meetingsI hope to meet you thereBest to youSteve

Scott The Book on Flipping Houses,The Book on Estimating ReHab Costshttp://www.biggerpockets.com/flippingbookLocate and attend 3 different local REIA club meetings great place to meet people gather resources and info.

@Shariyf Grevious I am familiar with all of the guys listed.I have attended The Real Deal and other Meet ups.

Scott The Book on Flipping Houses,The Book on Estimating ReHab Costshttp://www.biggerpockets.com/flippingbookLocate and attend 3 different local REIA club meetings great place to meet people gather resources and info.Consider checking out HUD homes for small multi's owner occupied gets first crack.You might consider Niche or Specialized Housing like student housing.