New Member from San Francisco/Bay Area

[Barbara Brennan]

Hi Everyone,

I've been on this site at times and really thought the forum articles were excellent. Now I'm ready to begin my own investing. I am a full time Realtor in Santa Rosa, CA (about 45 mi north of San Francisco.) Besides being in real estate, I am also an artist and love to hike in and around Sonoma County.

My plan is to invest some energy into reading and contributing on this site, to pick up investing ideas. Of the various possibilities for investing, I'm thinking that wholesaling would be a start for me. I'd use transactional funding, possibly through the Larry Goins program. I'm also aware of my concerns about investing in properties out of state since as a real estate agent, I'm so used to being able to drive to the property of interest and walking through it. I know many others invest in that way and I'd like to try it. Developing a buyers list is, of course, one of my first steps.

Just introducing myself and looking forward to being involved here.

[Paul Timmins]

@Barbara Brennan

Welcome.

Check out the Start Here page http://www.biggerpockets.com/starthere

Check out the free BiggerPockets Podcast - A weekly podcast with interviews and a ton of great advice. And you get the benefit of having 40 past ones to catch up on.

Locate and attend 3 different local REIA club meetings great place to meet people gather resources and info. Here you will meet fellow wholesalers, rehabbers and all the cash buyers you need.

Two Great reads, I bought both J. Scott The Book on Flipping Houses,The Book on Estimating ReHab Costshttp://www.biggerpockets.com/flippingbook

You might consider Niche or Specialized Housing like student housing. Rents can be 2-4 times more. CA is ripe for Niche Housing. A buddy bought a large victorian in a tourist area, she rents it 200 per night per bedroom great cashflow. Remember you don't have to own a property to control it.

Good Luck

Paul