First Steps In Real Estate Investing

[John McGowan]

My name is John and I’m excited to join the BiggerPockets community and learn from all of you. I’m based in Orange County and my goal is to start investing in multifamily properties and generate passive income through rentals. I’m 35 and I don’t want to waste anymore time.  

I have a background in project management, construction and sales and own a Custom Closet and Cabinetry business for middle to high-end clients. I’m here to learn as much as I can about real estate investing—especially finding the right deals and markets, and managing rental properties efficiently. I’d prefer to start in Southern California but am open to other locations if it’s worth it. 

This will be my first home purchase so If anyone has tips, resources, or personal experiences with house hacking, or rental property management, or other opportunities that may yield better results for me, I’d love to hear them! Looking forward to networking with this awesome community.

[Wale Lawal]

@John McGowan

With your background in construction, project management, and sales, you have a strong foundation for real estate investing. Since it's your first property purchase, house hacking could be a great way to get started—consider a duplex or small multifamily in Southern California to offset your mortgage while gaining landlord experience. If local prices make cash flow difficult, exploring out-of-state markets might be worth considering. Focus on networking with investors, agents, and lenders to find the right deals, and leverage your expertise to add value to properties.

Good luck!