New to REI and Looking to Connect

[Vinit Kallampad]

Hi everyone,

I’m Vinit, based out of East Bay, CA. I’m fairly new to real estate investing. I’ve been reading and listening for a while, and I’ve realized that a lot of the real learning happens when you talk to people who are actively doing it and understand how things work on the ground.

I’m interested in out-of-state investing, particularly in buy-and-hold markets in the Midwest and North Carolina, places like Indianapolis, Columbus, Raleigh, and Charlotte. I’m still figuring out what makes sense for a beginner and which areas are worth focusing on.

I’m not in a rush, but I do want to move in the right direction and connect with others who invest in these regions. If you have any beginner-friendly tips or insights about these markets, I’d really appreciate it.

Thanks for having me here I’m looking forward to learning from the community.

[Min Zhang]

If you’re just getting started, I’d actually recommend looking at a turnkey cash-flow rental for your first deal. It’s the easiest way to get a feel for being a landlord without jumping straight into managing a rehab or a big project. I’d also try to narrow down your market a bit. You can pick one or two areas that fit your criteria and really dig into the numbers, neighborhoods, and teams there. It’ll make the whole process a lot less overwhelming. Hope this helps, and wishing you the best of luck on your journey, Vinit!