New to the BiggerPockets Community

[Alexander Perryman]

Hey, I’m Alex. I’m 22 and a junior at Kennesaw State studying Data Science and Analytics. I’m brand new to real estate with very little knowledge of anything related, but I’m really eager to learn and connect with people who’ve been down this path before. I've heard that the BiggerPockets community is very welcoming, and that there are others who are looking to help. This is my first time posting on any forum ever, so it took me several months to gain the courage to post but I am ready to start taking action towards financial freedom as soon as possible.

 I’ve always had this dream of reaching financial freedom. At first, I had considered "Get rich quick" schemes like day trading and sports betting, but after losing over and over I decided that maybe it wasn't such a good idea. Then I discovered that through real estate, stocks, and passive income that my goals and dreams were attainable. Right now, the only real step I’ve taken is putting a little money into VOO and VTI. Saving hasn’t been easy with school every day and even working 30 hours a week, all of my money disappears once school, car expenses, and living expenses come into the equation. Despite all of that I’ve been sticking with it because I have no other choice. My parents have always told me that real estate’s too risky and want me to just focus on a traditional 9-to-5 career path, and that maybe one day if I am successful enough, then I could start looking into this. I do appreciate their concern for the security of my future, and I have considered taking their word for it, but no matter how many times I try to let it go, I keep coming back and try to learn more. What really inspired me was hearing BiggerPockets episode 346 about a 20-year-old who started wholesaling. That episode made me realize it’s actually possible, even starting young. I’ve been working through the free Discount Property Investor course online, and while it’s been super helpful, I know learning from someone experienced would make a huge difference. The only reason I have an interest in wholesaling now is because I have heard that it takes little to no money to get started, and the potential earnings after 2-3 deals could pay my years' worth of rent. My first step after becoming experienced in wholesaling is having enough to put a downpayment on a duplex or fourplex that has a positive cashflow. That being said, my true goal is to one day get into leveraging properties and earning passive income through rentals. I usually have 2–5 hours a day outside of school and work (depending on my work schedule) that I can put into this. I’d love to connect with someone local and/or willing to help already doing wholesaling or house hacking whether that’s shadowing, helping out with small things, doing grunt work, or just getting pointed in the right direction.

I really do appreciate anyone who took the time to read this lengthy first post. I’m excited to learn about all fields of real estate, put in the work, and hopefully be able to pay it forward in the future!

[Syed Ahmed]

Welcome to BiggerPockets, Alex. It takes a lot of courage to make your first post, and it’s clear you’ve got the right mindset to succeed. Starting with wholesaling is smart since it lets you learn the ropes and build experience without needing much capital, and the lessons you pick up there will set you up well for moving into rentals and passive income later. Keep studying, stay consistent, and don’t be afraid to reach out to others in the community connecting and learning from experienced investors is one of the fastest ways to grow. You’re already taking the steps most people never do, and that determination will take you far. Feel free to connect if you want to discuss strategies or ideas further.