Excited to Join the BP Community - Ready to Learn & Grow!

Excited to Join the BP Community - Ready to Learn & Grow!

New to Real Estate · Syracuse, NY · Member since 2023 · 3 posts · 1 vote

Hey BiggerPockets Family,

I’m thrilled to finally be joining this amazing community after spending some time exploring the forums and listening to the podcasts. My name is Greg Cubitt, and I’m based in Syracuse, New York.

A Little About Me:

I cam a professional software engineer and have always had a passion for real estate. I’ve been interested in investing for a while, and I’m excited to take the leap and start my journey as a real estate investor. Though the leap looks easy on paper, it's scary when you try to put it into practice.

I'm here to build my network, learn from experienced investors, and get insights on navigating the world of real estate. My primary focus right now is Duplex/Triple & REI investments, with a goal of achieving financial freedom. I'm particularly interested in investing in Erie, PA. My wife and I grew up in Erie and would like to have a duplex/triplex as our home base while we travel for her work.

My Current Goals:

    Short Term: I’m currently working on building a network, gathering more knowledge, and putting together my "team".

    Long Term: My ultimate goal is to have cash flowing properties and potentially scale. I'm just looking for financial freedom. I love what I do and don't want to quit my job. I just want to explore the rental investment world!

    If there are any seasoned investors here who have experience with duplex/triplex investments, I would love to connect and learn from your experiences. Also, if anyone is located in my area, I’d be happy to grab coffee, chat over Zoom, or attend local meetups!

    Thanks for having me! I’m looking forward to being an active member of the BP community and learning from all of you. 

    Cheers,
    Greg Cubitt

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    Jonathan GreeneBusiness Member
    Real Estate Consultant · Madison, NJ · Member since 2016 · 6k+ posts · 7k+ votes
    1y

    Welcome to BP, Greg. Your plan to start in Erie is a great one because you have a competitive advantage there, being from there. I also like the idea of using one of the units as a home base; this is smart planning and a good foundation to start with.

    In regard to Syracuse, you may have a leg up there as well since you live there with the Syracuse Land Bank. They have a portfolio of options that sell first to locals for as little as $1,000 if you have the rehab budget and local contractors. Might be something to look into.

    Lastly, you are also very smart to know that keeping your job is part of the train to time freedom. It's your basis for lendability. Good luck!

    See this reply in the discussion

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    • Jonathan GreeneBusiness Member
      Real Estate Consultant · Madison, NJ · Member since 2016 · 6k+ posts · 7k+ votes
      1y

      Welcome to BP, Greg. Your plan to start in Erie is a great one because you have a competitive advantage there, being from there. I also like the idea of using one of the units as a home base; this is smart planning and a good foundation to start with.

      In regard to Syracuse, you may have a leg up there as well since you live there with the Syracuse Land Bank. They have a portfolio of options that sell first to locals for as little as $1,000 if you have the rehab budget and local contractors. Might be something to look into.

      Lastly, you are also very smart to know that keeping your job is part of the train to time freedom. It's your basis for lendability. Good luck!

    • New to Real Estate · Syracuse, NY · Member since 2023 · 3 posts · 1 vote
      1y

       Oh wow, I didn't know anything about this. I'll have to dig a little deeper into this. Thank you!

    • Jonathan GreeneBusiness Member
      Real Estate Consultant · Madison, NJ · Member since 2016 · 6k+ posts · 7k+ votes
      1y
      Quote from @Greg Cubitt:

       Oh wow, I didn't know anything about this. I'll have to dig a little deeper into this. Thank you!


      Definitely check it out. They put a lot of the deal on their Instagram as well. The renos are usually around 100k when it costs about 5k to buy just for reference, but they come in all shapes and prices.

    • Stephen SchmittBusiness Member
      Real Estate Agent · Liverpool, NY · Member since 2019 · 111 posts · 72 votes
      1y

      Hello Greg, welcome to Bigger Pockets, I have found that the clients I work with that came from BP are the most successful. You learn a lot about data and analysis, renovation costs and dealing with tenants which can mitigate some of the fear of investing.
      Don’t rely too much on others to guide you ultimately, there will be many voices that tell you how difficult real estate can be, about tenants who flush steaks down the toilet (has happened to me) and evictions in NY. These things do happen, but the net positives of investing in real estate lead to powerful wealth creation that a 9-5 doesn’t provide. 
      Good luck and if you would like to sit down and discuss the local market and how to get started let me know. 

    • Stephanie JacobsonBusiness Member
      Real Estate Agent · Ithaca, NY · Member since 2016 · 429 posts · 324 votes
      1y

      Hey @Greg Cubitt, welcome and nice to meet you! Erie could be a great option, especially if you guys are familiar with the market and have family there. But you're living in a market people are keeping an eye on from all over the east coast! It's tough for out-of-towners to compete and find a good deal, but if you're here and can drive the streets in your neighborhoods, do that! Syracuse is poised to experience unprecedented growth, and though competing with other buyers is a pain right now, you have an advantage being right on the ground. I'd keep an eye on both areas.

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