New to Real Estate. 23 yr old Disabled Vet.

Houston, Texas
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New to Real Estate. 23 yr old Disabled Vet.

Ricardo GonzalezPro Member
New to Real Estate · Houston, TX · Member since 2025 · 5 posts · 7 votes

My Name is Ricardo Gonzalez, I am a 23 yr old disabled veteran from the Air Force. Currently work at SpaceX on the Falcon 9 team in Vandenberg SFB in California, Founder of Code Harbor, leading web development for aging industries. Currently looking to move to Houston to acquire my first rental and grow my real estate portfolio to build passive income. Super excited to start this part of my life and build for the ones after me!

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Lauren CutchenBusiness Member
Real Estate Agent · The Woodlands, TX · Member since 2019 · 188 posts · 79 votes
1y

Thank you for your service! You seem to have accomplished a lot for being 23! And to look ahead with real estate investing is super smart. Glad to be a spring board of ideas if you need help in the Houston area. 

[email protected]832-406-4239
Lauren Cutchen 513 Reviews
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  • Jesse Rivera
    Lender · Long Beach, CA · Member since 2013 · 496 posts · 296 votes
    1y

    Welcome to bigger pockets and thank you for your service!

    1Reply
  • Jay ThomasPro Member
    Real Estate Agent · Houston, TX · Member since 2021 · 1k+ posts · 715 votes
    1y

    Hey Ricardo, welcome to the BP community and a heartfelt thank you for your service .Wishing you all the best as you take this next step.

    [email protected]832-889-5607
    1Reply
  • Hamp Lee IIIPro Member
    Real Estate Agent · San Antonio, TX · Member since 2019 · 1k+ posts · 832 votes
    1y

    Welcome to BiggerPockets!

    I used my VA loan to start my real estate investing journey. It's a great way to build long-term financial wealth in real estate.

    I wish you all the best.

    1Reply
  • Andrew SyriosPro Member
    Moderator
    Residential Real Estate Investor · Kansas City, MO · Member since 2014 · 10k+ posts · 5k+ votes
    1y

    Welcome to BiggerPockets Ricardo and best of luck investing!

    Podcast Guest on Show #121
    1Reply
  • Lauren CutchenBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · The Woodlands, TX · Member since 2019 · 188 posts · 79 votes
    1y

    Thank you for your service! You seem to have accomplished a lot for being 23! And to look ahead with real estate investing is super smart. Glad to be a spring board of ideas if you need help in the Houston area. 

    [email protected]832-406-4239
    Lauren Cutchen 513 Reviews
    WebsiteView Page
    3Reply
  • Wale LawalBusiness Member
    Real Estate Broker · Houston | Dallas | Austin, TX · Member since 2018 · 5k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    1y

    @Ricardo Gonzalez

    Moving to Houston for your first rental is a great strategy, especially with its strong job market and cash-flow potential. Start by defining your investment approach—house hacking with a VA loan is a great option for a multifamily property with no down payment. Research key rental markets like Spring Branch, Katy, and Pasadena, and connect with VA-friendly lenders and local investor groups to build your network. Once you narrow down your target area, analyze deals using rental comps and cash flow projections to ensure profitability. If you need further help, DM me, and I'll point you in the right direction!

    Good luck!

    [email protected]832-776-9582Podcast Guest on Show #469
    NETWORTH BUILDERS5236 Reviews
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  • Andrew Moresi
    Member since 2025 · 25 posts · 9 votes
    1y

    Hello Ricardo! Love seeing new members join.. how do you plan to evaluate a property's potential ROI?

    1Reply
    • Ricardo GonzalezPro Member
      OP
      New to Real Estate · Houston, TX · Member since 2025 · 5 posts · 7 votes
      1y
      Quote from @Andrew Moresi:

      Hello Ricardo! Love seeing new members join.. how do you plan to evaluate a property's potential ROI?


       The BP Calculators and chatgpt/grok pro

      0Reply
  • Felipe Mendoza
    Property Manager · Houston, TX · Member since 2025 · 30 posts · 10 votes
    1y

    Exciting news! Congratulations! I am a native Houstonian and definitely here to help!

    1Reply
  • Aaron Ameen
    Investor · Houston, TX · Member since 2021 · 22 posts · 26 votes
    1y

    Hey Ricardo, first off—thank you for your service. Houston’s a solid market, but cash flow can be tough with high property taxes and insurance. A deal that looks great on paper can disappear once those numbers hit.

    Since you're a vet, don't forget about the VA loan—zero down, no PMI, and great rates. If you house hack a duplex or small multi, you can live for free or close to it while building equity. If you're looking at traditional rentals, stick to lower-tax areas and consider mid-term rentals (traveling nurses, corporate stays). They often cash flow better than long-term leases in Houston.

    Also, even if a property isn’t in a flood zone, always get a flood insurance quote. Houston’s weird like that—unexpected costs can creep up fast.

    Would love to connect when you get here—DM me if you want to chat about getting started! I also run a local meetup, would love to introduce you to some folks once you're on the ground. 

    2Reply
  • Daniel TanasaBusiness Member
    Realtor · Houston, TX · Member since 2019 · 351 posts · 174 votes
    1y

    Welcome to Bigger Pockets Ricardo!

    Congrats on so many accomplishments by the age of 23, that's impressive. 

    As it was mentioned above, I think using your VA loan and looking into a househack situation may be the best way to go about it either with a single family or a small multifamily.

    Houston is a great market to invest and live in. Congrats on looking to start so early. I bought my first rental property when I was 25 yo, so I can relate to that a little bit. 

    I am the Leader of the Landlord Focus group from the Greater Houston REIA, so hope to meet you when you come around the area. It's a great resource for new investors looking to get into the buy and hold game.

    1Reply
  • Ricardo GonzalezPro Member
    OP
    New to Real Estate · Houston, TX · Member since 2025 · 5 posts · 7 votes
    1y

    Thank you guys for the great energy. I will DM you personally once Im boots on the ground.

    2Reply
  • Morgan Tondre
    NJ · Member since 2024 · 207 posts · 91 votes
    1y

    Like the others mentioned - You're very ahead for a 23 year old so Kudos to you!!! And thank you very much for you service. I'm born and raised in Houston and have connections for all you could need getting started with REI here (Agents, Wholesalers, Lenders, Insurance, etc.) so please don't hesitate to reach out :)

    1Reply
    • Ricardo GonzalezPro Member
      OP
      New to Real Estate · Houston, TX · Member since 2025 · 5 posts · 7 votes
      1y
      Quote from @Morgan Tondre:

      Like the others mentioned - You're very ahead for a 23 year old so Kudos to you!!! And thank you very much for you service. I'm born and raised in Houston and have connections for all you could need getting started with REI here (Agents, Wholesalers, Lenders, Insurance, etc.) so please don't hesitate to reach out :)


       Thank you Morgan, will be in touch soon ;)

      1Reply
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