Real Estate Agent · San Jose, CA · Member since 2017 · 24 posts · 3 votes
Looking for advice on becoming a Real Estate Agent in California as well as an investor. I have a license in NJ / NY & PA which have been helpful.
I’d like to fix & flip as well as buy and hold. I’m starting from scratch since I will be moving from NJ to California within the next 6 months. I am flying into San Francisco tomorrow and staying until the 28th.
I’d love to hear some advice for networking groups, great markets for fix & flips and buy and holds and any other invaluable suggestions / advice you may have (besides not to invest in CA real estate lol)
I have friend in San Diego, LA, and Dublin/Pleasanton area... just looking for any info on any markets in all of Cali. I’d like to stay in the warmer climate, non flood/fire areas lol near the beach with great flow of business going on as well as leisure.
Any help is appreciated! I’m also open to any events that may be going on in the next week, I’ve actually never been to CA!
Hey Christina, welcome to CA! I've lived in the central valley my entire life and love it. Getting your license in CA isn't too difficult. I used Allied schools to study and passed first time. Fresno, where I am, is a great buy and hold place. We are in a non flood and non fire zone. Our residence have access to the beach within 2.5 hours drive, mountains with a 1 hour drive and housing prices are WAY lower than beach areas. Let me know if i can answer any specific questions for you. You can message me anytime.
@Christina M Viola Welcome! "Never been to CA" better late than never. Whole different world out here but an amazing state with so many distinct areas. Mountains, deserts, beaches, wine country, redwood forests etc. If you have the knack for finding fixer deals or below market properties in areas such as San Diego, Wine Country, Beach areas, Bay Area you will not find a better place to live in my opinion. If you are making money in California life can be the best however, if you are not doing well then it is hell! All this depends on whats important to you. I would have no problem living by the beach in San Diego, hitting Big Bear in the Summer and Winter while road tripping to Vegas or up PCH to the Bay Area. Know what I mean? Its all here in California. Politically its very challenging as well as the feast or famine type of life it appears. I love my college town in Northern California but the homeless and heat can be tough. Still better than freezing back in Michigan! What I am saying is this: if you can make it happen out here the world is your Oyster. California is just a different animal because of the wild swings in appreciation and buy and hold isn't as easy as other parts of the country. The deals are out there though no matter where you want to live in this state. Coming from New Jersey taxes and politics will be similar I would think. Good luck and enjoy your visit.
@Christina M Viola Welcome to California! I absolutely love it here and would probably never leave permanently! I'd say it really depends on your budget moving here as well as your timeline. All of the coastal areas require a lot of initial working capital to get any deals. There are lower cost markets in the inland and valley areas, but those don't sound like where you want to be based on your other descriptions. The worst thing would be for you to move here and feel overwhelmed financially off the bat, so I think it's important to understand the true cost of living and investing here. It is difficult, but in my opinion you get what you pay for! Best of luck!
Welcome to California. It’s truly a wonderful place to live! I have lived all over California, but I would not invest in the beach communities. They are fantastic to live in and visit, but they are very very expensive. If I were going to invest I would look towards the Central Valley of California. Just my two cents. Let me know if you have any questions.
There are good restaurants and touristy destinations to see in San Francisco and Oakland. You could visit San Jose and Palo Alto to see some overpriced real estate. If you make it to Los Angeles, then try staying near the west side and visiting the beach on a warmer day. Enjoy!
Welcome to Californian I am an active investor and I am always looking for people that want to learn and also want to be a part of my team a they grow. Please reach out to me. I would love to have coffee and chat. I will be out in LA area working on a new flip if you would like you can see it and also see what I do. Look forward in connecting with you.
Hey Christina, welcome to CA! I've lived in the central valley my entire life and love it. Getting your license in CA isn't too difficult. I used Allied schools to study and passed first time. Fresno, where I am, is a great buy and hold place. We are in a non flood and non fire zone. Our residence have access to the beach within 2.5 hours drive, mountains with a 1 hour drive and housing prices are WAY lower than beach areas. Let me know if i can answer any specific questions for you. You can message me anytime.
I had a big umbrella insurance policy instead of LLC when we actively invested here. I no longer invest in CA because the state is not very friendly to business, with taxes, fees and regulations.
Nolo Press NOLO Press webpage has helpful guides to open an LLC, or, more importantly, help you understand the landlord rights and responsibilities for rental properties.