New Real Estate Investor Intro

Cleveland, Ohio
Starting Out
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New Real Estate Investor Intro

Jordan Naeem
Cleveland, OH · Member since 2022 · 18 posts · 17 votes

Hello all! I've just begun my Real Estate Investing Journey and instead of lurking in the forums I've decided to take a more active approach in participating in the BiggerPockets network so that I can learn from all of your valuable experience and form relationships with other Real Estate Investors and like-minded individuals!

I am an Air Force veteran living in Ohio with my Wife in our single family home that we own in Cleveland. I work fulltime as a software engineer in a job that I absolutely LOVE -- but I want to make sure that I am putting my income stream to good use in growing my assets and securing a financially free future for myself and family (although I probably still want to work because I like what I do).

My goal is to be able to be financially free and be able for myself and my wife to retire in 20 years. My plan to try and reach that goal is to buy and hold Multifamily Homes that can cashflow while continuing to work my 9-5 for income. Currently, we are looking to upsize to a larger home using the VA loan as we are starting our family, and rent out the home we are in right now (which has appreciated by somewhere between 60k - 80k since we purchased it in 2019).

I'm grateful to be a part of this community and I'm looking forward to learning and growing with all of you!

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Joel Allen
Rental Property Investor · San Antonio, TX (Lender in TX and SC) · Member since 2020 · 196 posts · 253 votes
4y

@Jordan Naeem

Welcome to BP and thanks for your service.  I really like several aspects of your plan:

1.  You have a realistic timeline for achieving financial freedom.  A steady, methodical approach to growth often has more longevity.

2.  You have a really good W2 job that you intend to keep.  That will make finding financing for future deals much easier.

3.  Your plan to kick-start your buy-and-hold portfolio by converting your current home into a rental once you upsize allows you to retain your advantageous owner-occupied financing on the home.  You also understand the nuances of the home and the neighborhood since you've been living in that area for a while.

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  • Joel Allen
    Rental Property Investor · San Antonio, TX (Lender in TX and SC) · Member since 2020 · 196 posts · 253 votes
    4y

    @Jordan Naeem

    Welcome to BP and thanks for your service.  I really like several aspects of your plan:

    1.  You have a realistic timeline for achieving financial freedom.  A steady, methodical approach to growth often has more longevity.

    2.  You have a really good W2 job that you intend to keep.  That will make finding financing for future deals much easier.

    3.  Your plan to kick-start your buy-and-hold portfolio by converting your current home into a rental once you upsize allows you to retain your advantageous owner-occupied financing on the home.  You also understand the nuances of the home and the neighborhood since you've been living in that area for a while.

    4Reply
  • Muhammad Amawi
    Investor · Cleveland · Member since 2022 · 131 posts · 115 votes
    4y

    Hey Jordan,

    Thank you for your service! Also, congrats on starting your Real Estate Investing Journey and your family!

    You have a great plan set in place, the best thing to do from here is stick to it and continue to educate yourself along the way. I'm a lender local to the area and would be happy to connect and provide any value I can along the way for you.

    Good luck with everything!

    3Reply
  • Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
    4y
    Quote from @Jordan Naeem:

    Welcome to Biggerpockets! I retired as a 21-year JTAC in 2008.

    The forums are full of helpful people and you've already taken a big step by introducing yourself. Feel free to connect and let me know if there's anything I can help with.

    The DIY Landlord Book4.7243 Reviews
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    2Reply
  • Steven Foster Wilson
    Rental Property Investor · Columbus, OH · Member since 2017 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    4y
    Quote from @Jordan Naeem:

    Hello all! I've just begun my Real Estate Investing Journey and instead of lurking in the forums I've decided to take a more active approach in participating in the BiggerPockets network so that I can learn from all of your valuable experience and form relationships with other Real Estate Investors and like-minded individuals!

    I am an Air Force veteran living in Ohio with my Wife in our single family home that we own in Cleveland. I work fulltime as a software engineer in a job that I absolutely LOVE -- but I want to make sure that I am putting my income stream to good use in growing my assets and securing a financially free future for myself and family (although I probably still want to work because I like what I do).

    My goal is to be able to be financially free and be able for myself and my wife to retire in 20 years. My plan to try and reach that goal is to buy and hold Multifamily Homes that can cashflow while continuing to work my 9-5 for income. Currently, we are looking to upsize to a larger home using the VA loan as we are starting our family, and rent out the home we are in right now (which has appreciated by somewhere between 60k - 80k since we purchased it in 2019).

    I'm grateful to be a part of this community and I'm looking forward to learning and growing with all of you!


     Hi Jordan,

    First off Welcome to Bigger Pockets and thank you for your service. I think that is a great goal. I like that you love your job and want to have this as a bonus. I personally would start to grow your team. If you want to do this on the side and you do not want to have to work once you retire from your current job then build your team. Realtor, Property manager, Contractor, and Lender. Act as if you are a OOS investor but you get the benefits of still being here so if anything really does go wrong you are right there. https://www.biggerpockets.com/... Here is an article on the core 4. I also find a lot of off market deals in Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Columbus. Let me know if you want more info. 

    3Reply
  • Patrick DruryBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Columbus, OH & Cleveland OH · Member since 2021 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    4y

    @Jordan Naeem
    You are definitely in the right place to learn about investing. Ask questions and learn. I highly recommend you attend local meetups or join a local REIA near you so you can meet in person with local investors and network with them. Even though you are local you have a full-time job and so having a core 4 would be your best bet. A lot of investors that are local to where they invest try to either do it all or a good portion of management and maintenance. That just might not fit with your schedule so outsource it.

    [email protected]614-412-4565
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    2Reply
  • Jordan Naeem
    OP
    Cleveland, OH · Member since 2022 · 18 posts · 17 votes
    4y
    Quote from @Joel Allen:

    @Jordan Naeem

    Welcome to BP and thanks for your service.  I really like several aspects of your plan:

    1.  You have a realistic timeline for achieving financial freedom.  A steady, methodical approach to growth often has more longevity.

    2.  You have a really good W2 job that you intend to keep.  That will make finding financing for future deals much easier.

    3.  Your plan to kick-start your buy-and-hold portfolio by converting your current home into a rental once you upsize allows you to retain your advantageous owner-occupied financing on the home.  You also understand the nuances of the home and the neighborhood since you've been living in that area for a while.

    Thanks Joel! Its great to be here. I think having this community support and accountability will definitely be a key to success!
    0Reply
  • Jordan Naeem
    OP
    Cleveland, OH · Member since 2022 · 18 posts · 17 votes
    4y
    Quote from @Muhammad Amawi:

    Hey Jordan,

    Thank you for your service! Also, congrats on starting your Real Estate Investing Journey and your family!

    You have a great plan set in place, the best thing to do from here is stick to it and continue to educate yourself along the way. I'm a lender local to the area and would be happy to connect and provide any value I can along the way for you.

    Good luck with everything!

    Hey Muhammad! I'm here to make connections and relationships so I would love to connect on here. Thanks!
    0Reply
  • Jordan Naeem
    OP
    Cleveland, OH · Member since 2022 · 18 posts · 17 votes
    4y
    Quote from @Nathan Gesner:
    Quote from @Jordan Naeem:

    Welcome to Biggerpockets! I retired as a 21-year JTAC in 2008.

    The forums are full of helpful people and you've already taken a big step by introducing yourself. Feel free to connect and let me know if there's anything I can help with.


     Wow that's no joke! Thanks you for your service! That's an amazing accomplishment and a crazy career field, no less.

    I appreciate the warm welcome. I do think I needed to introduce myself on here to really get going and take action since I almost never actually participate on forums/reddit etc., but I know that I will need to really learn from the experience in this network and ask questions. There is definitely a huge wealth of knowledge, experience, and good people here. 

    1Reply
  • Jordan Naeem
    OP
    Cleveland, OH · Member since 2022 · 18 posts · 17 votes
    4y
    Quote from @Steven Foster Wilson:
    Quote from @Jordan Naeem:

    Hello all! I've just begun my Real Estate Investing Journey and instead of lurking in the forums I've decided to take a more active approach in participating in the BiggerPockets network so that I can learn from all of your valuable experience and form relationships with other Real Estate Investors and like-minded individuals!

    I am an Air Force veteran living in Ohio with my Wife in our single family home that we own in Cleveland. I work fulltime as a software engineer in a job that I absolutely LOVE -- but I want to make sure that I am putting my income stream to good use in growing my assets and securing a financially free future for myself and family (although I probably still want to work because I like what I do).

    My goal is to be able to be financially free and be able for myself and my wife to retire in 20 years. My plan to try and reach that goal is to buy and hold Multifamily Homes that can cashflow while continuing to work my 9-5 for income. Currently, we are looking to upsize to a larger home using the VA loan as we are starting our family, and rent out the home we are in right now (which has appreciated by somewhere between 60k - 80k since we purchased it in 2019).

    I'm grateful to be a part of this community and I'm looking forward to learning and growing with all of you!


     Hi Jordan,

    First off Welcome to Bigger Pockets and thank you for your service. I think that is a great goal. I like that you love your job and want to have this as a bonus. I personally would start to grow your team. If you want to do this on the side and you do not want to have to work once you retire from your current job then build your team. Realtor, Property manager, Contractor, and Lender. Act as if you are a OOS investor but you get the benefits of still being here so if anything really does go wrong you are right there. https://www.biggerpockets.com/... Here is an article on the core 4. I also find a lot of off market deals in Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Columbus. Let me know if you want more info. 


     Hi Steven! That is great advice. I think building the team is definitely my next step, and I like your approach for me to act like an out-of-state investor. I appreciate the info! Also, I took a look at your BP Profile and I think you actually rehabbed/rent the house that I rented when I was a student at Ohio State! Haha how funny. Thanks for the info and would love to connect!

    1Reply
  • Jordan Naeem
    OP
    Cleveland, OH · Member since 2022 · 18 posts · 17 votes
    4y
    Quote from @Patrick Drury:

    @Jordan Naeem
    You are definitely in the right place to learn about investing. Ask questions and learn. I highly recommend you attend local meetups or join a local REIA near you so you can meet in person with local investors and network with them. Even though you are local you have a full-time job and so having a core 4 would be your best bet. A lot of investors that are local to where they invest try to either do it all or a good portion of management and maintenance. That just might not fit with your schedule so outsource it.


     Hey Patrick! Thanks for the welcome. I'll definitely start looking for some meetups to attend and get some face-to-face interactions going as well. I think the core 4 advice is definitely the way forward for me and is my most immediate action that I need to be working on. Thank you for all the advice!

    0Reply
  • Shane Kelly
    Real Estate Agent · Cleveland, OH · Member since 2021 · 383 posts · 361 votes
    4y
    Quote from @Jordan Naeem:

    Hello all! I've just begun my Real Estate Investing Journey and instead of lurking in the forums I've decided to take a more active approach in participating in the BiggerPockets network so that I can learn from all of your valuable experience and form relationships with other Real Estate Investors and like-minded individuals!

    I am an Air Force veteran living in Ohio with my Wife in our single family home that we own in Cleveland. I work fulltime as a software engineer in a job that I absolutely LOVE -- but I want to make sure that I am putting my income stream to good use in growing my assets and securing a financially free future for myself and family (although I probably still want to work because I like what I do).

    My goal is to be able to be financially free and be able for myself and my wife to retire in 20 years. My plan to try and reach that goal is to buy and hold Multifamily Homes that can cashflow while continuing to work my 9-5 for income. Currently, we are looking to upsize to a larger home using the VA loan as we are starting our family, and rent out the home we are in right now (which has appreciated by somewhere between 60k - 80k since we purchased it in 2019).

    I'm grateful to be a part of this community and I'm looking forward to learning and growing with all of you!


    Thank you for your service and welcome to BP. Being active on here is one of the best steps you can take as a newbie, just look at the traction this post has generated already. Your plan seems rock solid through and through. You have a very realistic goal of retiring in 20 years through real estate buy and hold, and you don't plan on trying to get there by doing anything crazy but instead by keeping your 9 to 5 and getting access to conventional and portfolio loans. Also, using the VA loan to it's maximum benefits is a big advantage to being a veteran. I'm still learning all of the possibilities of it, but I know it can be a hell of a tool to fix up a home to build equity and then move to a new home to do it again. I would love to get the chance to help you in your journey, so if you think I can be of any assistance, shoot me a PM. Best of luck!

    1Reply
  • Erin Dorsey RobinsonPro Member
    Real Estate Agent · Cleveland, OH · Member since 2020 · 280 posts · 365 votes
    4y

    Hi Jordan!

    Welcome to BP. First- no shame in lurking lol! This is an excellent place to learn from other people's conversations even if you decide not to jump into the fray. But glad you have come on out to say hello :). 

    Have you lived in Cleveland for long or did you move in 2019 from someplace else? I'm always interested to chat with local investors as it seems that a lot of people discover the opportunity that Cleveland represents only after living someplace else. Feel free to reach out directly if there is every anything I can do to help as you are getting started with investing. I'm glad to introduce you to contractors, property managers and others who can help you along the way.

    All the best to you and your wife!

    E

    [email protected]
    1Reply
  • Scott Lundgren
    Investor · Kansas City, MO · Member since 2015 · 48 posts · 165 votes
    4y

    @Jordan Naeem 

    Welcome to BP, I think you will find there are many great connections you can create here.   Learning from those that have already been down the road you are headed is always a great decision.  I know I've avoided many pitfalls by networking with the right people. Cleveland is a great place to start, many great opportunities there. 

    2Reply
  • Kiera Underwood
    Real Estate Agent · Oklahoma City, OK · Member since 2019 · 956 posts · 600 votes
    4y

    @Jordan Naeem so excited that you're getting started! I love the using your primary residence to begin the process approach. I did the same thing! Luckily we both live in markets with great numbers, so in that alone we're a step ahead! I help a ton of investors get started in the OKC market and they're almost always out of state investors that I love educating. But I am so grateful that I got to get my feet wet years ago with first hand knowledge! You're in a great spot in the process. Good luck! 

    1Reply
  • Aj Parikh
    Rental Property Investor · Centreville, VA · Member since 2019 · 1k+ posts · 799 votes
    4y

    Welcome to Bigger Pockets! Cleveland is an amazing market to be in and has a lot of options for multi families and SFH. If you are looking into smaller apartment buildings, Cleveland also a lot of options for those. Since you are from Cleveland, you have an advantage of knowing the areas to avoid for investing. I also own a few properties in Cleveland so let me know if you want to connect and I can share some of my experience. Good luck!!

    1Reply
  • Nathan Murith
    Investor · San Rafael · Member since 2020 · 376 posts · 274 votes
    4y

    Welcome to BiggerPockets and congratulations on doing the work, @Jordan Naeem

    Always looking to connect and exchange with like-minded people! Happy to share all the stories, mistakes, successes, resources, tools, tips, tricks, whatever you might find helpful.

    Please don’t hesitate to reach out!

    1Reply
  • Nicholas Salman
    Lender · OH · Member since 2022 · 113 posts · 77 votes
    4y

    Jordan congrats on starting your journey, this is an amazing place to be! Thank you for serving. Va loans are an amazing tool to use when it comes to investing. My branch manager and I just spoke this morning about how he used his to get 3 duplexes. It’s a benefit that is well earned. Let’s definitely talk more about your goals! Take care!

    1Reply
  • Brandon RushPro Member
    Real Estate Agent · Portland, CT · Member since 2019 · 761 posts · 849 votes
    4y

    Jordan,

    Welcome to the squad! You are in good hands here. Get ready for an incredible journey!

    Podcast Guest on Show #221
    1Reply
  • Jordan Naeem
    OP
    Cleveland, OH · Member since 2022 · 18 posts · 17 votes
    4y
    Quote from @Kiera Underwood:

    @Jordan Naeem so excited that you're getting started! I love the using your primary residence to begin the process approach. I did the same thing! Luckily we both live in markets with great numbers, so in that alone we're a step ahead! I help a ton of investors get started in the OKC market and they're almost always out of state investors that I love educating. But I am so grateful that I got to get my feet wet years ago with first hand knowledge! You're in a great spot in the process. Good luck! 


     Thank you, Kiera! I'm definitely excited. I would love to connect and maybe bounce some questions off you sometime then if you don't mind. Its nice to be able to talk to people who are in the same headspace as me. When I try talking with my friends or coworkers about this stuff, no one is interested. I appreciate all the kind words!

    0Reply
  • Jordan Naeem
    OP
    Cleveland, OH · Member since 2022 · 18 posts · 17 votes
    4y
    Quote from @Aj Parikh:

    Welcome to Bigger Pockets! Cleveland is an amazing market to be in and has a lot of options for multi families and SFH. If you are looking into smaller apartment buildings, Cleveland also a lot of options for those. Since you are from Cleveland, you have an advantage of knowing the areas to avoid for investing. I also own a few properties in Cleveland so let me know if you want to connect and I can share some of my experience. Good luck!!


     Thanks AJ! I would be very grateful to connect and hear about your experiences. I hope those properties are treating you well! Thanks for reaching out!

    0Reply
  • Jordan Naeem
    OP
    Cleveland, OH · Member since 2022 · 18 posts · 17 votes
    4y
    Quote from @Nathan Murith:

    Welcome to BiggerPockets and congratulations on doing the work, @Jordan Naeem

    Always looking to connect and exchange with like-minded people! Happy to share all the stories, mistakes, successes, resources, tools, tips, tricks, whatever you might find helpful.

    Please don’t hesitate to reach out!


     Hey Nathan! That would be fantastic! I really believe learning from others mistakes and successes are a huge part of succeeding in any endeavor. I'm trying to keep my mind open and really absorb the wealth of knowledge that is present in this network.

    0Reply
  • Jordan Naeem
    OP
    Cleveland, OH · Member since 2022 · 18 posts · 17 votes
    4y
    Quote from @Nicholas Salman:

    Jordan congrats on starting your journey, this is an amazing place to be! Thank you for serving. Va loans are an amazing tool to use when it comes to investing. My branch manager and I just spoke this morning about how he used his to get 3 duplexes. It’s a benefit that is well earned. Let’s definitely talk more about your goals! Take care!


    Hi Nicholas! It was an honor to serve. I definitely intend to make use of my VA loans. I know what a powerful tool they can be for investment properties -- especially MFHs -- but due to my family situation I think the plan is to use that to move into my next SFH while I rent out my current. Thanks for reaching out!

    0Reply
  • Jordan Naeem
    OP
    Cleveland, OH · Member since 2022 · 18 posts · 17 votes
    4y
    Quote from @Brandon Rush:

    Jordan,

    Welcome to the squad! You are in good hands here. Get ready for an incredible journey!


     Hi Brandon! I'm so excited for whats ahead. I can see the path before me, and I am so ready to begin! Thank you for the warm welcome!

    0Reply
  • Jordan Naeem
    OP
    Cleveland, OH · Member since 2022 · 18 posts · 17 votes
    4y
    Quote from @Shane Kelly:
    Quote from @Jordan Naeem:

    Hello all! I've just begun my Real Estate Investing Journey and instead of lurking in the forums I've decided to take a more active approach in participating in the BiggerPockets network so that I can learn from all of your valuable experience and form relationships with other Real Estate Investors and like-minded individuals!

    I am an Air Force veteran living in Ohio with my Wife in our single family home that we own in Cleveland. I work fulltime as a software engineer in a job that I absolutely LOVE -- but I want to make sure that I am putting my income stream to good use in growing my assets and securing a financially free future for myself and family (although I probably still want to work because I like what I do).

    My goal is to be able to be financially free and be able for myself and my wife to retire in 20 years. My plan to try and reach that goal is to buy and hold Multifamily Homes that can cashflow while continuing to work my 9-5 for income. Currently, we are looking to upsize to a larger home using the VA loan as we are starting our family, and rent out the home we are in right now (which has appreciated by somewhere between 60k - 80k since we purchased it in 2019).

    I'm grateful to be a part of this community and I'm looking forward to learning and growing with all of you!


    Thank you for your service and welcome to BP. Being active on here is one of the best steps you can take as a newbie, just look at the traction this post has generated already. Your plan seems rock solid through and through. You have a very realistic goal of retiring in 20 years through real estate buy and hold, and you don't plan on trying to get there by doing anything crazy but instead by keeping your 9 to 5 and getting access to conventional and portfolio loans. Also, using the VA loan to it's maximum benefits is a big advantage to being a veteran. I'm still learning all of the possibilities of it, but I know it can be a hell of a tool to fix up a home to build equity and then move to a new home to do it again. I would love to get the chance to help you in your journey, so if you think I can be of any assistance, shoot me a PM. Best of luck!


     Hi Shane! I have actually been blown away by how many people have reached out and who are willing to help and share their experiences. No doubt that the power of networking here is incredibly powerful. I appreciate your thoughts on my plan. I've really tried to be deliberate and thoughtful about my goals and setting realistic, but ambitious goals for my future. I'd be happy to connect! Thanks for the post!

    1Reply
  • Jordan Naeem
    OP
    Cleveland, OH · Member since 2022 · 18 posts · 17 votes
    4y
    Quote from @Erin Dorsey Robinson:

    Hi Jordan!

    Welcome to BP. First- no shame in lurking lol! This is an excellent place to learn from other people's conversations even if you decide not to jump into the fray. But glad you have come on out to say hello :). 

    Have you lived in Cleveland for long or did you move in 2019 from someplace else? I'm always interested to chat with local investors as it seems that a lot of people discover the opportunity that Cleveland represents only after living someplace else. Feel free to reach out directly if there is every anything I can do to help as you are getting started with investing. I'm glad to introduce you to contractors, property managers and others who can help you along the way.

    All the best to you and your wife!

    E


     Hi Erin! Yeah I definitely don't think there is anything wrong with lurking. I just know for myself I will hold myself more accountable and get more out of learning from everyone if I am an active participant! I love learning and this seems like one of the best way to learn from those of you that have already been in my shoes and walked the walk!

    I lived in Cleveland my whole life until college when I went to OSU and lived in Columbus, then I joined the Air Force and spent 4 years in Shreveport, Louisiana, and now I am back in my hometown where I intend to stay! Thanks so much for all the kind words!

    0Reply
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