New and Eager to Start My Journey

New to Real Estate · NJ · Member since 2025 · 6 posts · 9 votes

Hello, Im Chris. Im a 32 year old southern New Jersey native (Winslow Township). I am here to learn the ropes of breaking into the real estate world. I have been in construction since a young teenager and have been a union carpenter for 2 years now. I have a strong work ethic and am eager to learn new things.

My goal is to build a legacy for my family one day. To be financially free. I want to build something that I can once day show, teach and pass on to my young son when he grows up. I like tge ideas of multi family homes, longer term rentals, fix and flips, short term vacation rentals and commercial opportunities like rv parks/campgrounds etc.

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Drago Stanimirovic

New to Real Estate · Miami, FL · Member since 2024 · 1k+ posts · 441 votes

10mo

Welcome, Chris. Your background in construction gives you a real edge, especially in fix and flips and value-add multi-family deals. With your drive and clear vision for the future, you're already ahead. Keep learning, stay consistent, and you'll build that legacy. Happy to connect and support you on your REI journey!

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Abel CurielBusiness Member
Real Estate Agent · Queens, NY · Member since 2016 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
10mo
Quote from @Chris Chaffin:

Hello, Im Chris. Im a 32 year old southern New Jersey native (Winslow Township). I am here to learn the ropes of breaking into the real estate world. I have been in construction since a young teenager and have been a union carpenter for 2 years now. I have a strong work ethic and am eager to learn new things.

My goal is to build a legacy for my family one day. To be financially free. I want to build something that I can once day show, teach and pass on to my young son when he grows up. I like tge ideas of multi family homes, longer term rentals, fix and flips, short term vacation rentals and commercial opportunities like rv parks/campgrounds etc.

Hello Chris and welcome to BiggerPockets! Here, you'll find tons of helpful information and make quality connections.
Your construction experience will be helpful along your journey.

Given your long-term goals, Multifamily house-hacking could be a great start. You can get into an owner-occupied property with little money down, gain property management experience and possibly save on maintenance/construction expenses.
All the best!
Abel
REbuild Team - eXp Realty5234 Reviews
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- Chris Chaffin
  OP
  New to Real Estate · NJ · Member since 2025 · 6 posts · 9 votes
  10mo
  Quote from @Abel Curiel:
  
  Quote from @Chris Chaffin:
  
  Hello, Im Chris. Im a 32 year old southern New Jersey native (Winslow Township). I am here to learn the ropes of breaking into the real estate world. I have been in construction since a young teenager and have been a union carpenter for 2 years now. I have a strong work ethic and am eager to learn new things.
  
  My goal is to build a legacy for my family one day. To be financially free. I want to build something that I can once day show, teach and pass on to my young son when he grows up. I like tge ideas of multi family homes, longer term rentals, fix and flips, short term vacation rentals and commercial opportunities like rv parks/campgrounds etc.
  
  Hello Chris and welcome to BiggerPockets! Here, you'll find tons of helpful information and make quality connections.
  Your construction experience will be helpful along your journey.
  
  Given your long-term goals, Multifamily house-hacking could be a great start. You can get into an owner-occupied property with little money down, gain property management experience and possibly save on maintenance/construction expenses.
  All the best!
  Abel
  
  Thank you, Abel. Its nice to meet you! I am excited to take this leap. I have some learning to do definitely. Do you have any recommendations on what are most important things to learn as a newcomer?
  1 Reply
- Abel CurielBusiness Member
  Real Estate Agent · Queens, NY · Member since 2016 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
  10mo
  Quote from @Chris Chaffin:
  
  Quote from @Abel Curiel:
  
  Quote from @Chris Chaffin:
  
  Hello, Im Chris. Im a 32 year old southern New Jersey native (Winslow Township). I am here to learn the ropes of breaking into the real estate world. I have been in construction since a young teenager and have been a union carpenter for 2 years now. I have a strong work ethic and am eager to learn new things.
  
  My goal is to build a legacy for my family one day. To be financially free. I want to build something that I can once day show, teach and pass on to my young son when he grows up. I like tge ideas of multi family homes, longer term rentals, fix and flips, short term vacation rentals and commercial opportunities like rv parks/campgrounds etc.
  
  Hello Chris and welcome to BiggerPockets! Here, you'll find tons of helpful information and make quality connections.
  Your construction experience will be helpful along your journey.
  
  Given your long-term goals, Multifamily house-hacking could be a great start. You can get into an owner-occupied property with little money down, gain property management experience and possibly save on maintenance/construction expenses.
  All the best!
  Abel
  
  Thank you, Abel. Its nice to meet you! I am excited to take this leap. I have some learning to do definitely. Do you have any recommendations on what are most important things to learn as a newcomer?
  
  Yes, I recommend learning about your target market(s). You can 'follow' certain locations which means that BP will alert you anytime someone in New Jersey (for example) writes a forum post.
  
  In addition to following locations, I'd recommend looking into the house hack strategy.
  Lastly, set up keyword alerts for any topics that you become interested in. BP will alerty you whenever a topic is mentioned in the forum.
  
  I've been on BiggerPockets for 10 years and these have been the best ways for me to learn AND connect with people.
  REbuild Team - eXp Realty5234 Reviews
  Website View Page
  0 Reply
- Chris Chaffin
  OP
  New to Real Estate · NJ · Member since 2025 · 6 posts · 9 votes
  10mo
  Quote from @Abel Curiel:
  
  Quote from @Chris Chaffin:
  
  Quote from @Abel Curiel:
  
  Quote from @Chris Chaffin:
  
  Hello, Im Chris. Im a 32 year old southern New Jersey native (Winslow Township). I am here to learn the ropes of breaking into the real estate world. I have been in construction since a young teenager and have been a union carpenter for 2 years now. I have a strong work ethic and am eager to learn new things.
  
  My goal is to build a legacy for my family one day. To be financially free. I want to build something that I can once day show, teach and pass on to my young son when he grows up. I like tge ideas of multi family homes, longer term rentals, fix and flips, short term vacation rentals and commercial opportunities like rv parks/campgrounds etc.
  
  Hello Chris and welcome to BiggerPockets! Here, you'll find tons of helpful information and make quality connections.
  Your construction experience will be helpful along your journey.
  
  Given your long-term goals, Multifamily house-hacking could be a great start. You can get into an owner-occupied property with little money down, gain property management experience and possibly save on maintenance/construction expenses.
  All the best!
  Abel
  
  Thank you, Abel. Its nice to meet you! I am excited to take this leap. I have some learning to do definitely. Do you have any recommendations on what are most important things to learn as a newcomer?
  
  Yes, I recommend learning about your target market(s). You can 'follow' certain locations which means that BP will alert you anytime someone in New Jersey (for example) writes a forum post.
  
  In addition to following locations, I'd recommend looking into the house hack strategy.
  Lastly, set up keyword alerts for any topics that you become interested in. BP will alerty you whenever a topic is mentioned in the forum.
  
  I've been on BiggerPockets for 10 years and these have been the best ways for me to learn AND connect with people.
  
  Thank you! Iwill have to take some time and figure out how to do all of that this morning and set all of that up!
  
  Much appreciated!
  1 Reply
Drew SygitBusiness Member
Property Manager · Royal Oak, MI · Member since 2012 · 12k+ posts · 9k+ votes
10mo
So, what specifically do you need help with?
[email protected]248-209-6824
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- Chris Chaffin
  OP
  New to Real Estate · NJ · Member since 2025 · 6 posts · 9 votes
  10mo
  Quote from @Drew Sygit:
  
  So, what specifically do you need help with?
  Nothing in particular at the moment. Right now I am just here to absorb and learn what I can for now. I dont have a lot of capital or resources at the moment to actually start obtaining properties. So I am here to maybe pick some brains and read people's advice and thoughts on topics im interested myself for now!
  0 Reply
Aaron ZimmermanBusiness Member
Accountant · Chicago, IL · Member since 2018 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
10mo
Welcome! Your handy skills will definitely be a value add with whatever you're doing. Even if you have other people doing the work, you'll know what needs to be done. I'd lean into this skill set heavily and focus your time towards underwriting deals and finding properties
[email protected]
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Drago Stanimirovic
New to Real Estate · Miami, FL · Member since 2024 · 1k+ posts · 441 votes
10mo
Welcome, Chris. Your background in construction gives you a real edge, especially in fix and flips and value-add multi-family deals. With your drive and clear vision for the future, you're already ahead. Keep learning, stay consistent, and you'll build that legacy. Happy to connect and support you on your REI journey!
1 Reply
Shawn McenteerBusiness Member
Realtor · Boonton Township, NJ · Member since 2013 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
10mo
Quote from @Chris Chaffin:

Hello, Im Chris. Im a 32 year old southern New Jersey native (Winslow Township). I am here to learn the ropes of breaking into the real estate world. I have been in construction since a young teenager and have been a union carpenter for 2 years now. I have a strong work ethic and am eager to learn new things.

My goal is to build a legacy for my family one day. To be financially free. I want to build something that I can once day show, teach and pass on to my young son when he grows up. I like tge ideas of multi family homes, longer term rentals, fix and flips, short term vacation rentals and commercial opportunities like rv parks/campgrounds etc.

Hi Chris, you sound a lot like me. When I started House Hacking New Jersey I to was union carpenter. A few years back I stepped out of that line of work and am now full time real estate. I will let you know one the worst feelings I had was the day I had to make my first payment on the first home I purchase, a single family. I learned quick the only way I could I afford the property was by my wife and I both working 40 hours each week. We decided to sell that property, move into a duplex in which I experience one of the best feelings in my life; owning a property where my tenants paid the bulk of the mortgage. I will let you know House Hacking I NJ is great wat to go and get started on your journey.
973-975-3895
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JooYung Choi
Realtor · NJ · Member since 2023 · 215 posts · 99 votes
10mo
@Chris Chaffin
Hey Chris, never too early to start in the real estate world. You already have experience in construction so you definitely have a leg up. You could really build wealth with some sweat equity! First one is hard but once you learn the ropes and double down on a strategy that works for you, real estate investing will become easier. Best of luck to you.
0 Reply
Joshua Hardin
Investor · Chattanooga, TN · Member since 2023 · 174 posts · 104 votes
10mo
Hi Chris,
Both the pleasure and honor to witness your signals! Let's build our Legacy's, together!
"Lead with Love, Serve Compassionately and Live Intentionally".
-Sarge
0 Reply
Ashish AcharyaBusiness Member
CPA, CFP®, PFS · FL · Member since 2017 · 5k+ posts · 3k+ votes
9mo
Hey @Chris Chaffin. Great to see you getting into real estate. Like everyone mentioned here, your background in construction already puts you way ahead. You have one of the best skill sets for flipping, value add projects, and building out a strong rental portfolio. From the tax side, there is a lot you can take advantage of once you start buying properties, like depreciation, write offs on rehab materials, tools, mileage, and even cost segregation once you get into larger projects.

If you ever want to bounce questions off someone or get clarity on how taxes work for flips, rentals, or multi family, happy to connect anytime.
[email protected]941-914-7779
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