New Member Introduction. Would love to connect

[Romie Patel]

Hey BiggerPockets community,

I’m currently working a full-time 9–5 job, but my long-term goal is to grow out of corporate life and build a career in real estate investing. I know it won’t happen overnight, but I’m committed to putting in the work and learning along the way.

My plan is to start with fix and flips to build up capital, and then invest into some long-term buy-and-hold properties once I’ve built a solid foundation. The idea is to leverage flipping profits for down payments, while also gaining experience managing renovations, working with contractors, and navigating financing.

Here’s where I could use some guidance:

• For those of you who started flipping while still working a W-2, how did you balance time and responsibilities?

• What do you wish you knew before you started your first flip?

• At what point did you feel comfortable moving into long-term rentals and holding properties for cash flow?

• Any tips for financing strategies (hard money, private lending, partnerships) as a beginner with limited capital?

I’d love to connect with someone who has been through this path—starting out with flips while working full time, then scaling into rentals. Whether you’d consider mentorship, or just answering a few questions here and there, I’d greatly appreciate the guidance.

Thanks in advance for any advice you’re willing to share. Looking forward to connecting!