Anyone want to mentor?

Question

Hello everyone my name is Anthony and I'm new to the space of investing. Currently i have 1 home under a note(wrap around mortgage) and another single family home in Puerto Rico. I am also currently serving in the Air Force and close to retirement (3 years) i plan on wanting to invest and start getting into long term home rentals and i am searching for a mentor. Over the years i have had analysis paralysis and now reading over the book Rental Property Investing  by Brandon Turner and countless other books i really want to start pulling the trigger and start practicing what i preach. Hoping to find someone who can point me in the right direction thanks.

James Wise · Answer

Holla

Aaron T. · Answer

I would recommend that if you have not used your VA loan yet, do so before you retire. Buy a 2-4 unit, no money down at your duty station. Live in one unit and rent the others. Live for free, use your earned money to have zero debt upon retirement. Then when you PCS do it again 2-4 units no money down. This could give you 8 units in the next 3 years with an Infinet return.

6 months out from retirement, apply for your VA rating. This is also Infinet return as long as your are alive for the military using and abusing you.

Check out the book from the Active Duty Passive Income guys. They also have a podcast that will be helpful and geared toward military.

I stopped investing in Puerto Rico due to high prices and quite frankly, you dont want all your eggs in one basket down there. We are one hurricane away from having zero income on all properties for months. I also feel you can 10x in the US rather than PR. just my opinion of being in PR for the last 9 years.

Micah White · Answer

Welcome Anthony, and thank you for your service 🙏. You’re already in a strong position heading into retirement — steady income, some properties under your belt, and now the determination to move past analysis paralysis. That combo sets you up really well.

Something that helped me early on was creating a clear “buy box” (location, property type, price range, returns you need). It gives you focus and makes it much easier to recognize the right deal when it comes along instead of second-guessing everything.

I’ve been working with newer investors in similar shoes and I’ve found that having someone in your corner for accountability and guidance really speeds things up. If you’d ever want to connect more directly, happy to share what’s worked for me and others.

Hamp Lee III · Answer

Welcome to BiggerPockets!

I retired from the Air Force this year (after 30 years) and have five properties. Three are VA loans.

With the time you have remaining, you may be able to purchase to VA loan homes for a long-term strategy.

Something to consider…

I wish you all the best.

Ryan Spath · Answer

Anthony – welcome to the community and thank you for your service! You’re in a really good spot already having a couple properties under your belt and a clear vision of where you want to go.

On the mentor piece, here’s what’s worked for me and a lot of others:

• Get clear on what you’re asking for. Instead of just “I need a mentor,” think more like “I want guidance on scaling into long-term rentals using my VA loan/equity.” The more specific you are, the easier it is for the right person to step in.
• Add value first. Mentors aren’t looking for another person to babysit. They’re looking for people who are taking action. If you can help them run numbers, do some legwork, or even just share what you’re learning consistently, you’ll stand out.
• Show up where investors are. REIAs, local meetups, BP forums, even Facebook groups in PR or wherever you’re headed next. Being consistent in those spaces makes connections happen naturally.
• Leverage your military advantage. The VA loan is such a powerful tool. Plus there are groups like ADPI (Active Duty Passive Income) where you’ll find other veterans who’ve already paved the path and are happy to help.
• Take action while you’re learning. Analyze deals, post them up, share your thought process. Nothing attracts mentors like seeing someone who’s serious and already moving.

Get clear on what you’re asking for. Instead of just “I need a mentor,” think more like “I want guidance on scaling into long-term rentals using my VA loan/equity.” The more specific you are, the easier it is for the right person to step in.

Add value first. Mentors aren’t looking for another person to babysit. They’re looking for people who are taking action. If you can help them run numbers, do some legwork, or even just share what you’re learning consistently, you’ll stand out.

Show up where investors are. REIAs, local meetups, BP forums, even Facebook groups in PR or wherever you’re headed next. Being consistent in those spaces makes connections happen naturally.

Leverage your military advantage. The VA loan is such a powerful tool. Plus there are groups like ADPI (Active Duty Passive Income) where you’ll find other veterans who’ve already paved the path and are happy to help.

Take action while you’re learning. Analyze deals, post them up, share your thought process. Nothing attracts mentors like seeing someone who’s serious and already moving.

If you just keep showing up and taking small actions, the right mentor will find you as much as you find them.