Hi from San Francisco

I am excited to find this forum. I am just starting out in real estate investing. Invested in a lot of money for a coach/mentor and working at getting things going. My real passion for real estate investing is apartment buildings, but I think I have to start out with single family homes and move up?
I am having a hard time trying to figure out the market to start. I have spent hours trying to research the best market for flipping, but it seems like none of them have the parameters my coach wants! I travel for free because I work for the airlines so I am trying to find the best city to start.
Looking forward to being part of this community.
Susan

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 08:14AM

Tim Krueger

Real Estate Investor · Newport Beach, California

35 posts
13 Influence
1 Award

Icon_minipost May 15 '09, 07:26 AM

Get your money back! This forum is better then any guru that wants to charge you money. I took that route and suffered for it! Just ask on this forum and you get any I mean any answer you are looking for. You don't even have to do webinars, secret profit automated systems or any of that now that you found BP. Good luck!

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 08:14AM

Joshua Dorkin

BiggerPockets Founder · Denver, Colorado

10630 posts
46531 Influence
24 Awards

Icon_minipost May 15 '09, 08:42 AM

Tim - That is one of the nicest things people have said about the site. Thanks!

Susan - Welcome to BiggerPockets. There isn't much to add, since I think Tim nailed it.

As for where to start, it depends on where you want to be. There are markets all over the country that are great for cash flowing SFRs. As you spend more time on the site, you'll learn more about different markets.

Well - good luck and we'll see you around!

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 08:14AM

Joshua Dorkin, BiggerPockets, Inc.
E-Mail: webmaster@biggerpockets.com
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Will Barnard

Rehabber · Santa Clarita, California

7238 posts
54461 Influence
23 Awards

Icon_minipost May 15 '09, 08:48 AM

Yeah! Another fellow CA investor! Wlcome to BP Nation Susan. Hope you find this site as informative and fun as I do.

Ask away and we shall answer. Look forward to assisting you.

As for flipping markets, some areas of CA can be condusive to that strategy, but you must purchase right.
Most markets are prime for a buy and hold. Buy cheap, sit on the cash flow, and cash out down the road.

Apartments? Ask away, you found your man!

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 08:14AM

Will Barnard, Barnard Enterprises, Inc.
E-Mail: info@barnardenterprises.com
Website: http://www.barnardenterprises.com
info@barnardenterprises.com

Terry White

· Knoxville, Tennessee

11 posts
-5 Influence

Icon_minipost May 16 '09, 03:36 AM

Is the market stablelizing in CA any?

Terry

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 08:14AM

Douglas Christian

Real Estate Investor · Charlotte, North Carolina

361 posts
460 Influence
3 Awards

Icon_minipost May 16 '09, 05:02 AM

Susan welcome aboard enjoy the ride. I am a FIRM believer in the BUY AND HOLD. Apts are GREAT, but you have to find MOTIVATED SELLERS who will hold a 2nd mortgage for you.

My thinking since you are just getting started would be to purchase one property right and then learn from that property. How to higher contractors, how to find materials and how to estimate cost.

I always ask people this. If you got laid off from your job tomorrow what would you do. FLIPPING and WHOLESALING are OKAY, but to know that every month you have that income coming in is a UNBELIEVABLE feeling.

SUCCESS BREEDS SUCCESS

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 08:14AM

Susan Eng

· San Francisco, California

2 posts
1 Influence

Icon_minipost May 17 '09, 05:00 PM

Thanks everyone for your warm welcome and helpful information and support.
There are pockets of CA that are more stable than others. I hear Sacramento's prices are getting better.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 08:15AM

Account Closed

35 posts
189 Influence
1 Award

Icon_minipost May 17 '09, 08:59 PM

I don't spend a great deal of time on BP, but do drop in from time to time to read the forums and articles.

I agree with others who say that you can learn as much or more on this site, than you can from any "coach". This is true!

There are lots of knowledgeable people willing to share and you should take advantage of the wealth of info available on this site and keep your money to BUY HOUSES!

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 08:15AM

Dick Green

Residential Real Estate Broker · Conroe, Texas

1596 posts
1347 Influence
4 Awards

Icon_minipost May 18 '09, 02:02 AM

Hi Susan,

Welcome to the group. So, why do you feel that you need to start with single family residential?

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 08:15AM