New Member from the Greater Boston Area

Investor · Chicago IL · Member since 2013 · 88 posts · 22 votes

Hi all,

My name is Ben Staples, a marketing professional in the Greater Boston area. I don't have any experience in real estate, but it's been something I have had an interest in for a long time. I came to Bigger Pockets through an article on flipboard, and it looks like an incredible space to get started. I'm looking to learn as much as possible, make some great connections and have fun.

Thanks

Ben

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Mike LaCava

Real Estate Investor · Buzzards Bay (Bourne), MA · Member since 2012 · 208 posts · 28 votes

12y

Welcome @Ben Staples . BP is a great resource for sure. I also run a free MeetUp in Plymouth MA. www.houseflippingschool.com/meetup.

Maybe you can make it down. @Ann Bellamy Black Diamond is a great place to network along with @Justin Silverio meetup.

As you can see we all beleive in networkign!!!!

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Pierre Thernize
Rental Property Investor · Washington, NJ (07882) · Member since 2013 · 85 posts · 20 votes
12y
Welcome Ben to BP!
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Ann Bellamy
Lender · Tyngsboro, MA · Member since 2009 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
12y
Welcome to BP, Ben. There is a significant network of RE investors from MA on Bigger Pockets, if you set your keywords to things like MA or Massachusetts or Boston, you'll be notified of discussions pertaining to our area.

There are a number of networking groups in MA as well, and I'd like to invite you to our free networking events at Black Diamond which we hold in Waltham and Worcester monthly, url in my signature. There is an unofficial BP meetup which is also free in Woburn every quarter run by @Justin Silverio , shoot him a colleague request and ask to be added to his list, and he'll notify you. There are many other REIAs in the area which are not free, but will provide you with significant networking and contacts as you embark on your RE journey.

Good luck!
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VLADIMIR LOPEZ
Real Estate Investor · Boca Raton, FL · Member since 2013 · 56 posts · 4 votes
12y
well you chose a great place to start. What kind of investments would you be interested in?
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Mike LaCava
Real Estate Investor · Buzzards Bay (Bourne), MA · Member since 2012 · 208 posts · 28 votes
12y
Welcome @Ben Staples . BP is a great resource for sure. I also run a free MeetUp in Plymouth MA. www.houseflippingschool.com/meetup.

Maybe you can make it down. @Ann Bellamy Black Diamond is a great place to network along with @Justin Silverio meetup.

As you can see we all beleive in networkign!!!!
1 Reply
Paul Timmins
Specialist · Rockland, MA · Member since 2010 · 7k+ posts · 2k+ votes
12y
@Ben Staples

Welcome. Good school good major. I grew up in Brighton.

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

Check out BiggerPockets Ultimate Beginner's Guide - A fantastic free book that walks through many of the key topics of real estate investing.

Check out the free BiggerPockets Podcast - A weekly podcast with interviews and a ton of great advice. And you get the benefit of having 50 past ones to catch up on.

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

Locate and attend 3 different local REIA club meetings great place to meet people gather resources and info. Those mentioned are great meetings also Rockland, Taunton and Cape Cod.

Consider checking out HUD homes for small multi's owner occupied gets first crack.

You might consider Niche or Specialized Housing like student housing. Rents can be 2-4 times more. Remember you don't have to own a property to control it.

Good Luck

Paul
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Justin SilverioPro Member
Developer · Andover, MA · Member since 2008 · 1k+ posts · 489 votes
12y
Welcome to BP @Ben Staples As others have mentioned, BP is the absolute best online resource for REI. If you're interested in attending or learning more about the event that I host in Woburn, PM me with your email address. All the other events mentioned are excellent!
Podcast Guest on Show How to Easily Find Off-Market Properties (No Experience Required!)
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Daniel Rubin
Developer · Boston, MA · Member since 2013 · 35 posts · 5 votes
12y
Welcome @Ben Staples ! I am fairly new to the Bigger Pockets community as well but it has been an amazing resource so far. Looking forward to meeting you in person at one of the local real estate investor meetings.
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Ben Staples
OP
Investor · Chicago IL · Member since 2013 · 88 posts · 22 votes
12y
Originally posted by @Ann Bellamy:

There are a number of networking groups in MA as well, and I'd like to invite you to our free networking events at Black Diamond which we hold in Waltham and Worcester monthly, url in my signature. There is an unofficial BP meetup which is also free in Woburn every quarter run by @Justin Silverio , shoot him a colleague request and ask to be added to his list, and he'll notify you. There are many other REIAs in the area which are not free, but will provide you with significant networking and contacts as you embark on your RE journey.

Good luck!

Thanks Ann! It's good to hear. Thank you so much for letting me know about the Black Diamond event. I am going to plan to attend the Waltham one and look forward to meeting some new people. I will definitely reach out to Justin, thanks for the suggestion.

Thanks!
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Ben Staples
OP
Investor · Chicago IL · Member since 2013 · 88 posts · 22 votes
12y
Originally posted by @VLADIMIR LOPEZ:
well you chose a great place to start. What kind of investments would you be interested in?

Hi Vladimir,

I am definitely figuring it out. I've been reading some of the introductory guides, and from what it looks like right now, I've narrowed it down to Single family, Small Multi Family... and then maybe move up to small apartments? I love the idea of flipping houses as well. I guess the real answer is I don't know yet, but hopefully by reading as much as I can, I'll start to narrow it down. If you have any suggestions, please let me know.

Thanks

Ben
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Ben Staples
OP
Investor · Chicago IL · Member since 2013 · 88 posts · 22 votes
12y
Originally posted by @Mike LaCava:
Welcome @Ben Staples . BP is a great resource for sure. I also run a free MeetUp in Plymouth MA. www.houseflippingschool.com/meetup.

Thanks for the link Mike! I'd love to attend, do you know when the next meeting will be? It's so great to have such a warm welcome.
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Brian Ortins
Real Estate Agent · Beverly, MA · Member since 2013 · 353 posts · 93 votes
12y
Welcome to BP! Highly recommend the local networking events listed above. Feel free to reach out with any questions. Look forward to meeting you at one of the events.
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Ben Staples
OP
Investor · Chicago IL · Member since 2013 · 88 posts · 22 votes
12y

Hi Paul,

Thanks for reaching out. I like the suggestions. HUD homes definitely seem interesting and something I will read up on.

Thanks!

Ben
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VLADIMIR LOPEZ
Real Estate Investor · Boca Raton, FL · Member since 2013 · 56 posts · 4 votes
12y
@Ben Staples I'm just as new as you but you will learn fast from biggerpockets. Justin's unofficial bp meet ups are great I've been to one of them. Thanks stay in touch
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Mark Ferguson
Flipper/Rehabber · Greeley, CO · Member since 2013 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
12y
Welcome to the site Ben! It is an awesome place!
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Brandon TurnerPro Member
Investor · Maui, HI · Member since 2009 · 13k+ posts · 3k+ votes
12y
Hey @Ben Staples Thanks for jumping in and introducing yourself! If you haven't yet- be sure to setup some "Keyword Alerts."

See you around the site!
Podcast Guest on Show #92
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Ben Staples
OP
Investor · Chicago IL · Member since 2013 · 88 posts · 22 votes
12y
Originally posted by @Brandon Turner:
Hey @Ben Staples Thanks for jumping in and introducing yourself! If you haven't yet- be sure to setup some "Keyword Alerts."

Thanks for the tip Brandon! Besides location wise (Boston, MA etc.) any other recommendations for keywords. I havn't really locked down my specific are of interest yet.

Thanks

Ben
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Shaun Reilly
Landlord and Rehabber · Newton, MA · Member since 2010 · 2k+ posts · 877 votes
12y
Welcome to BP Ben.

As others have been pointing out BP is a great place to learn about all types of investing and also a great place to meet people both locally and form all over with a vast array of experience.

Make sure to check out some of the meetings as well. We have a pretty vibrant community and a lot of meetings around here. Aside from the ones mentioned there is the NEREIA in Chelmsford, the Boston Area REIA that just moved locations to Medford (Bummer since it had been at the Crown Plaza that spans the Pike right on the Brighton border), @Mike Hurney has a couple meeting on the North Shore and there are some in NH as well if you want to take a drive.
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Mike HurneyPro Member
Real Estate Investor · Boston, MA · Member since 2009 · 2k+ posts · 545 votes
12y
@Ben Staples Hey Ben, best place to start investing is your own neighborhood. Ever read "Acres of Diamonds"

Then you may want to look at how you can Finance your Deals, even w/OPM you need some skin in the game.
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Ben Staples
OP
Investor · Chicago IL · Member since 2013 · 88 posts · 22 votes
12y
Originally posted by @Shaun Reilly:

Make sure to check out some of the meetings as well. We have a pretty vibrant community and a lot of meetings around here. Aside from the ones mentioned there is the NEREIA in Chelmsford, the Boston Area REIA that just moved locations to Medford (Bummer since it had been at the Crown Plaza that spans the Pike right on the Brighton border), @Mike Hurney has a couple meeting on the North Shore and there are some in NH as well if you want to take a drive.

Thanks for the tips Shaun. I will definitely check them out!
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Ben Staples
OP
Investor · Chicago IL · Member since 2013 · 88 posts · 22 votes
12y
Originally posted by @Mike Hurney:
@Ben Staples Hey Ben, best place to start investing is your own neighborhood. Ever read "Acres of Diamonds"

Then you may want to look at how you can Finance your Deals, even w/OPM you need some skin in the game.

I have not, who is it by? I will definitely check it out
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Robert AdamsBusiness Member
Real Estate Broker · Henderson, NV · Member since 2009 · 1k+ posts · 373 votes
12y
@Ben Staples I am currently a broker/salesman in Las Vegas but I am flying to Boston this month to become a broker in MA. I am looking to network with people in MA interested in real estate. If there is ever anythign I can assist you with please let me know.
[email protected]702-349-9175
The Adams Team at Rothwell Gornt Companies4.970 Reviews
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Mike HurneyPro Member
Real Estate Investor · Boston, MA · Member since 2009 · 2k+ posts · 545 votes
12y
@Robert Adams let us know when you're here? We'll at least have a coffee or quick lunch, if not at an event.

Where are you doing your hours?
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Robert AdamsBusiness Member
Real Estate Broker · Henderson, NV · Member since 2009 · 1k+ posts · 373 votes
12y
@Mike Hurney I signed up for class with AREA in Waltham, MA on the 27th - 30th. I am buying my airline tickets today. It is not set in stone but I am leaning towards arriving Jan 25th and leaving Feb 4th. I'm planning to go to NY for the super bowl Jan 31st-Feb 3rd. I am meeting with Derek Sankey at Sankey Real Estate in North Attleboro to discuss joining his brokerage. I'm open to meeting other brokers while I'm in town also if anyone is interested.
[email protected]702-349-9175
The Adams Team at Rothwell Gornt Companies4.970 Reviews
Website View Page
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Shaun Reilly
Landlord and Rehabber · Newton, MA · Member since 2010 · 2k+ posts · 877 votes
12y
Originally posted by @Robert Adams:
@Mike Hurney I signed up for class with AREA in Waltham, MA on the 27th - 30th. I am buying my airline tickets today. It is not set in stone but I am leaning towards arriving Jan 25th and leaving Feb 4th. I'm planning to go to NY for the super bowl Jan 31st-Feb 3rd. I am meeting with Derek Sankey at Sankey Real Estate in North Attleboro to discuss joining his brokerage. I'm open to meeting other brokers while I'm in town also if anyone is interested.

@Robert Adams You should plan on going to the Black Diamond REI meeting on the 28th if you will be here those dates. It is in Waltham not more than 5 minutes from "school" (With half that being making the left turn out of the AREA parking lot:) ). We have a lot of good meetings but this is probably the best one going right now, check out @Ann Bellamy 's forum sig for the website with the exact info.

As I mentioned when you were asking for school recommendations I am only a couple miles away from AREA. I'd be interested in grabbing a meal/coffee/drinks at some point (In addition to hopefully seeing you at the meeting) when you are here. If you want PM me when you have a better idea of your schedule.
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Justin SilverioPro Member
Developer · Andover, MA · Member since 2008 · 1k+ posts · 489 votes
12y
@Robert Adams I should be at the Black Diamond meeting as well. Hope to see you there.
Podcast Guest on Show How to Easily Find Off-Market Properties (No Experience Required!)
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