New To REI (Northern California)

Hello all. I don't have any experience in REI except for buying/owning 2 homes. I sold my first house with profits and bought a bigger one. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area. Since California is one of the most expensive RE in the country, how does one begin investing here with little capital to begin with? Thanks in advance and glad to be in this forum.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 02:53AM

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Dec 16 '05, 12:20 AM

Hello, California is hard to invest in with limited funds. I would suggest learning more about real estate, joining a local REI club and possibly build your credit and capital. There is an alternative, you can invest in other states but, I would suggest that you have more experience before you attempt that idea.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 02:53AM

Jennifer Grace

Residential Real Estate Agent · Sacramento, California

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Jun 23 '10, 07:21 AM

I would suggest that if you find a great deal, you will be able to find a buyer. If the numbers work, present them to other investors and they will buy.
This makes you a middle man, so you may want to consider getting your real estate license.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 01:20PM

Ling S.

Real Estate Investor · san francisco, California

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Mar 14 '11, 01:47 PM

Hi jenifer,
I am in San Francisco bay area and an investor. How to get a real estate license?

Rachel H.

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Mar 17 '11, 03:11 PM

It's best to start out at your local REI club. There will be others there who may be doing what you want to do. It's best to network, find out who the players are, and get to know your local area. Hope that helps!

Vicky Yu

Accountant · San Carlos, California

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May 24 '11, 02:27 PM

Which REI club do you guys recommend in the bay area? Newbie here too. Thanks in advance.

Charles Perkins

Landlord · Seattle, Washington

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May 24 '11, 02:47 PM

First of all welcome to Bigger Pockets.

Having purchased 2 homes you probably have as much experience as some of the RE gurus out there. Bigger Pockets is a great place to learn about REI. You can attend REI groups in your area as well some of them are very good and some are highly commercialized.

Starting out with limited capital is very challenging for a newbie even more challenging if your credit is poor. Challenging because it hard to attract partners with no experience. As a newbie you may not be familiar with some of the creative strategies that might close a deal with little cash. Also financing can be a greater issue.

You may want to network with others here that may have started in a similar position and find out how they overcame this.

Rob Gillespie

Wholesaler · Valley City, Ohio

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May 24 '11, 04:04 PM

Welcome, Cali must be awesome!! I would flip contracts to get started with little capital. Even when you have a lot of coin, you will love the low risk and ridiculous high return! I have done it for years, and love it! You will get a lot out of bigger pockets! Enjoy! :mrgreen:

Rob Gillespie, Rob The House Guy, LLC
E-Mail: rob@robthehouseguy.com
Telephone: 330-800-9043
Website: http://AskTheHouseGuy.com
Rob@RobTheHouseGuy.com 330 800 9043 AskTheHouseGuy.com RobTheHouseGuy.com

Scott Menke

Real Estate Investor · California

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May 24 '11, 08:27 PM

There are a number of REIA clubs in the Bay Area.

I am from the Sacramento area and attend REIAs there, but an event I was at last weekend was co-sponsored by SacREIA and the Wealth & Health Network, which is based in the Bay Area. Their website is:

http://www.wealthandhealthnetwork.com/

Keep in mind there are several areas in California with easier price points than the SF area - but start by talking with local investors and find out what they are doing.

Edited: 05/24/2011 at 11:29PM by Administrator : Link removed

Kofi LeGrand-Sawyer

Commercial Real Estate Agent · California

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May 27 '11, 06:51 AM

Originally posted by Scott Menke

There are a number of REIA clubs in the Bay Area.

I am from the Sacramento area and attend REIAs there, but an event I was at last weekend was co-sponsored by SacREIA and the Wealth & Health Network, which is based in the Bay Area. Their website is:

http://www.wealthandhealthnetwork.com/

Keep in mind there are several areas in California with easier price points than the SF area - but start by talking with local investors and find out what they are doing.

I've attended SacREIA meetings before and they're a great place to network. The speakers cover a lot of information on alternative ways to finance properties.