Firefighters and First Responders in Multifamily

Multi-Family and Apartment Investing
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Firefighters and First Responders in Multifamily

Hud Floyd
Investor · Marina Del Rey, CA · Member since 2018 · 119 posts · 63 votes

Any other firefighters and first responders out there in real estate investment?  I work for Los Angeles County Fire Department as a firefighter/paramedic in the West Hollywood area.  Currently invested in over 700 units of multifamily and always looking to connect with fellow first responders.

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Brian BurkePro Member
Investor · Santa Rosa, CA · Member since 2012 · 2k+ posts · 7k+ votes
6y

I’m a former first responder, 14 years in various roles.  Some as a police officer, some as a 911 dispatcher, some as a firefighter/EMT (FF-I, FF-II, then driver-operator on engine company and truck).  Even did a part-time stint with AMR on a BLS ambulance (I guess I get bored easily, LOL).  Fun times!

Then I decided to turn my side-gig of real estate investing into my full-time focus.  That was almost 20 years ago and while I really loved my former vocation, I’ve never looked back.  Since that time I’ve raised way over $100 million from investors and bought over a half a billion dollars of real estate.  Man, it seems like two completely different lives. 

The difference is I worked for a small city (less than 50K people) and you work for a REAL fire department—I grew up watching squad 51 and engine 51 on my tiny four-channel color TV, LOL.  You see more trauma in a 24 hour shift than I saw in a year.  

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  • Brooks Rothschild
    Real Estate Agent · Carmel, IN · Member since 2016 · 24 posts · 9 votes
    6y

    Former police officer in Baltimore County for ~5 years. My partner (also a former Baltimore County Officer ~13 years) and I dove in about 2 years back in Maryland. I have since moved to Indianapolis, IN and he to LA. We are currently going to continue to invest in Maryland with the team we have there as well as Indianapolis. I am still learning the city here but have a pretty good feel now and getting ready to dive in. Mostly looking for MF 4+ out here but considering all deals.

    0Reply
  • James M.
    Rental Property Investor · Seal Beach, CA · Member since 2016 · 115 posts · 85 votes
    6y
    Hud Floyd Hey HUD, I also work as a Ff/medic in LA. I have a couple units in Long Beach, and would love to connect with you. I tried to DM you but the app wouldn’t allow me to.
    0Reply
  • Kyle Smith
    Rental Property Investor · San Diego · Member since 2019 · 109 posts · 87 votes
    6y

    Hi @Hud Floyd. Fire Captain here, just down the 5 from you working for City of San Diego. Been on the job 13yrs and investing in RE longer than that. Looking forward to connecting

    0Reply
  • Theo Cooper
    Flipper/Rehabber · Windsor Mill, MD · Member since 2016 · 11 posts · 0 votes
    6y

    @Hud Floyd Hello im Theo Fleet im a first responder in Baltimore Maryland, im attempt to get into realstate im interested in units, but I dont know how to get started any advice I will appreciate.

    0Reply
  • Matt Heerwald
    Investor · Austin, TX · Member since 2017 · 39 posts · 10 votes
    6y

    Hey all, Mary and Matt here - we're investors primarily in the Austin and San Antonio markets. Matt is a spec ops firefighter with Austin Fire Department and was also a Marine [Javelin gunner]. We have buy-and-hold SFR rentals in both of the above markets, have flipped in San Antonio, and are passively invested in Austin and Nashville - but our next move is into multifamily, so trying to learn and network as much as possible on that front. Mary is currently working on getting her real estate license, as well.

    Excited to connect with y'all, especially those of you involved in Texas markets! And thanks, everyone, for your important service. 

    3Reply
  • Stephen FisherPro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Costa Mesa, CA · Member since 2017 · 26 posts · 16 votes
    6y

    Hi all!  Firefighter for the City of Riverside Fire Department for the last 8 years.  My wife and I have one long term rental in Southern California and are closing on our fourth property in Tennessee next week.  Nice to see all the first responders getting involved in real estate investing.  Looking forward to connecting and moving into bigger multifamily.  Great thread Hud, thank you!  

    0Reply
  • Hud Floyd
    OP
    Investor · Marina Del Rey, CA · Member since 2018 · 119 posts · 63 votes
    6y

    Hey Ben, welcome.  Much respect for you all in AirOps.  I had personal circumstances with family that required air transport, so thank you for what you do.

    0Reply
  • Hud Floyd
    OP
    Investor · Marina Del Rey, CA · Member since 2018 · 119 posts · 63 votes
    6y

    Hi Brooks. Another strong market there in Indianapolis.  Is your partner in Louisiana or in Los Angeles?  

    0Reply
  • Hud Floyd
    OP
    Investor · Marina Del Rey, CA · Member since 2018 · 119 posts · 63 votes
    6y

    Hello again all!  My messaging is back up and running, so if I haven't connected with you yet, I will definitely do so.  Feel free to reach out and talk soon.

    0Reply
  • Christopher D.
    Rental Property Investor · Redding, CA · Member since 2018 · 22 posts · 12 votes
    6y

    Great post Hud,

    I worked outside of DC in Prince Georges County for 8 years and got into real estate in Baltimore City and Northern Virginia. Currently work up here in Redding CA and am crushing OT to get a feel for the city for future deals. I think public safety is the best way to know your city areas and determine the best spots to invest. I'm always asking citizens how much they're paying for rent or businesses what they're plans are for expansion and base that on what and when to buy. If you couldn't tell, I stay local with my properties and my tenants always know i'm in the area on or off of work.

    0Reply
  • Dimitri Fedorov
    Member since 2020 · 4 posts · 6 votes
    6y

    Hello All! 
    I am a newbie medic (and a med student in a couple years God willing) in NYC/Long Island and looking to get into REI. NYC is way too expensive for me but I'm looking at starting with a single or multi family rental in Cleveland,OH. Looking forward to getting to know you all!

    0Reply
  • Alfredo Franco
    Rental Property Investor · Corpus Christi, TX · Member since 2019 · 23 posts · 8 votes
    6y

    @Hud Floyd fire/ medic in Corpus Christi Tx!

    I work for Annaville Fire! We just had a awesome class on RiT by Michael Snodgrass. Anyway, I’m on the way to investing meanwhile doing handyman work and learning as much as I can.

    1Reply
  • Mike ReynoldsPro Member
    construction · Nacogdoches, TX · Member since 2011 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    6y
    Originally posted by @Hud Floyd:

    Any other firefighters and first responders out there in real estate investment?  I work for Los Angeles County Fire Department as a firefighter/paramedic in the West Hollywood area.  Currently invested in over 700 units of multifamily and always looking to connect with fellow first responders.

    Was a volunteer FF/EMT-B for 30 years. Full cert on both. Now I just do rehab and support. Here we don't have the tax money for all paid depts so we just volunteer. I could still go into a burning house but why when there are younger ones to do it for us lol. 

    0Reply
  • Douglas Mcqueen
    Rental Property Investor · Virginia Beach, VA (Virginia Beach) · Member since 2019 · 173 posts · 129 votes
    6y

    @Hud Floyd thank you Sir. VA is doing ok for us so far.

    0Reply
  • Jon Guy
    Member since 2019 · 21 posts · 8 votes
    6y

    Talk offline lol

    0Reply
  • Justin Furtado
    New to Real Estate · Southern California · Member since 2020 · 15 posts · 8 votes
    6y

    @Hud Floyd I work the city of South Pasadena fire Department live in Huntington Beach. Just started to pursue RE investing for fear CalPERS isn’t going to be there when I retire. It would be great to connect sometime. 700 units?! I see your putting that overtime to use properly! Respect!

    0Reply
  • Stephen GallagherPro Member
    Real Estate Agent · Hillsboro, NH · Member since 2019 · 80 posts · 54 votes
    6y

    @Hud Floyd

    Full time with City of Portsmouth NH since 1993. In the fire service since 1986. Electrician since 1994. REALTOR since 2019, investor and landlord since 1999.

    0Reply
  • Robert EllisBusiness Member
    Developer · Miami, FL · Member since 2014 · 3k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    6y
    Originally posted by @Hud Floyd:

    Hi Blaine.  I have an associate whose retired from the Cleveland Fire Department.  Some good MF opportunity in the Columbus market.

     are you invested in columbus of your 700 units? 

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  • Hud Floyd
    OP
    Investor · Marina Del Rey, CA · Member since 2018 · 119 posts · 63 votes
    6y

    Hi Kyle.  What area of real estate do you invest in?  Yes, definitely look forward to connecting.

    0Reply
  • Hud Floyd
    OP
    Investor · Marina Del Rey, CA · Member since 2018 · 119 posts · 63 votes
    6y

    Hi Theo.  Thanks for joining the thread.  We can definitely connect and discuss what your interests are.

    0Reply
  • Hud Floyd
    OP
    Investor · Marina Del Rey, CA · Member since 2018 · 119 posts · 63 votes
    6y

    Hi Mary and Matt.  You're in a great market to move into multifamily being in Texas.  Tennessee as well.  Look forward to connecting.

    0Reply
  • Hud Floyd
    OP
    Investor · Marina Del Rey, CA · Member since 2018 · 119 posts · 63 votes
    6y

    Hi Stephen.  Sounds like you've kept busy in the SF space. I think you'll find a lot of benefits moving into multifamily.

    1Reply
  • Asia Jones
    New to Real Estate · South TX · Member since 2013 · 45 posts · 15 votes
    6y

    @Hud Floyd

    Hello Hud and all my fellow brothers and sisters. I am a federal agent and I recently sold my first property/house hack. I’m now looking to invest the proceeds into a small MFH in the Harris County area in Texas. Looking forward to connecting with you guys.

    Asia

    1Reply
  • Kyle Clugston
    Rental Property Investor · Hamilton Township, NJ · Member since 2019 · 8 posts · 1 vote
    6y

    @Hud Floyd Great to see a post like this I love it! I'm a Trooper in Jersey and my wife and I invest in residential multi's and SFH's in the South Jersey area. Keep up the great work and for all you first responders, stay safe.

    0Reply
  • Ryan DavidsonPro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Brook, IN · Member since 2017 · 69 posts · 12 votes
    6y

    @Hud Floyd

    Hello great to see all the responses from so many brothers and sisters. I started volunteering in 2003, moved to another town and worked my way to training captain. Was hired on full time for a few years in SE Colorado as Fire Engineer/EMT-I. Moved back home and rode the EMS bus for a couple more years while volunteering for my community again. Hard to make a living on an ambulance in small town America. Have officially been out of the service for about 3 years now. Real estate has now become my passion over those last 2-3 years. I have 1 SFR, a 6 unit and just finished rehab on a 7 unit. Currently building funds to go for a larger 40 unit deal. Hoping to be full time and "retired" in the next 3-4 years. Currently living and investing in rural Indiana. Stay safe everyone.

    0Reply
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