This is it! Looking to find my first investment property
12 Replies
Jennifer Pendzick
Professional from Center Moriches, New York
posted almost 4 years ago
Hi everyone! I am finally jumping into the investment game and looking to acquire my first buy and hold and have settled on the St. Petersburg / Clearwater FL area. I am looking for referrals to a good real estate agent. Does anyone have someone they could provide?
Wish me luck!
James Vega
Investor from Chula Vista, California
replied almost 4 years ago
Congrats on taking action. Just out of curiosity why Clearwater? What attracted you to that market. My mother and father live there.
David Semer
Investor from Lincroft, NJ
replied almost 4 years ago
@Jennifer Pendzick
Welcome to Bigger Pockets. Best of luck on your investments.
Doug Merriott
Residential Real Estate Agent from Tierra Verde, Florida
replied almost 4 years ago
no more than 20 minutes to the beach. Decent job opportunities. Constant warm weather. Relatively low prices. What's not to love?
Jeff McCaskey
Investor from Isabel, Kansas
replied almost 4 years ago
Welcome to BP and investing!
Jennifer Pendzick
Professional from Center Moriches, New York
replied almost 4 years ago
I had actually received from a colleague of mine the top 20 rental makets based on % of increased rents over 2014. Clearwater, St. Pete & Tampa were all on it so that was what led me to those areas. I also love FL and have always wanted to invest there. While I have not posted much on BP - I listen to the podcast weekly!! Doug Marriot - I have to agree! Do you have an agent you could recommend?
Doug Merriott
Residential Real Estate Agent from Tierra Verde, Florida
replied almost 4 years ago
I would recommend the most handsome one on Bigger Pockets. He has to run off to a meeting in a minute though.
James Vega
Investor from Chula Vista, California
replied almost 4 years ago
My wife and I have thought about Clearwater as well but for maybe purchasing a property to be used as a vacation rental. Anyone going the vacation rental avenue vice monthly rentals?
Maura Paler
from Point Lookout, NY
replied almost 4 years ago
We own 3 vacation rentals and are in contract for our fourth, all in the same area of upstate New York, Adirondack Mountains. I manage a bunch of VR properties in South Beach Miami area, but don't own them.
We have been exploring Florida, Caribbean, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, etc for our next place to invest in VR's. It's a hands on venture, so hiring great help is key - and the more you own the more leverage you have with help - so we are hoping to invest with others in a warm area that is VR friendly (many areas ban weekly rentals!), fun to visit ourselves and has some decent prices still.
Keep us in mind if you find an area you love. Stuart FL was our last visit - loved the town and is VR friendly.
Good luck!
Shean Rhoden
Investor from Hackensack, New Jersey
replied almost 4 years ago
Good Luck Jennifer for making a decision to take that first step. Looking forward with hearing how your first deal goes...
Jerry Padilla
Lender from Rochester, NY
replied almost 4 years ago
@Jennifer Pendzick great location! Welcome to BP! Hint hint @Doug Merriott is a local agent for where you are looking. Have you been pre-approved for a mortgage yet? That is the first step to investing.
Jennifer Pendzick
Professional from Center Moriches, New York
replied almost 4 years ago
@Jerry Padilla Thank you! yes, pre-approved plenty of cash ready set go!
Raymond B.
Investor from Wallingford, Connecticut
replied almost 4 years ago
@Jennifer Pendzick,
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Raymond
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