I'm new but eager

[Garrick Goodheart]

Hi everyone,

My name is Garrick, and I’m new to the real estate investing space. I live in rural Montana and currently work as an engineering and environmental manager in the mining industry. I’m a single dad to two young boys, which is a big motivator behind my goal: to transition into a more flexible, family-friendly lifestyle while building long-term financial security.

I’m calling this my Exit Plan Strategy, and real estate is a big piece of it.

So far, I’ve:

• Read Long-Distance Real Estate Investing, BRRRR, and Rental Property Investing

• Built my own Excel analyzer (profitability, cash flow, cap rate, amortization, 1% rule, etc.)

• Set aside ~$50k–$60k in startup capital

• Started identifying markets and partners (realtors, contractors, PMs)

• Focusing on value-add rentals, flips, or BRRRR in desirable-but-undervalued areas

I’d really appreciate help with:

• Recommended software or tools for remote market analysis

• Tips from anyone who got started while still working full-time

• Advice for evaluating smaller multifamily or distressed properties

• Mistakes you wish you’d avoided on your first deal

• Any Montana-specific or Western U.S. insights (but I’m open to investing anywhere)

If anyone’s open to chatting or mentoring, I’d be extremely grateful. I’m taking this seriously and want to do it right—ethically, sustainably, and profitably.

Looking forward to learning from you all and hopefully contributing value in return.

– Garrick