New member intro - Chicagoland area

New member intro - Chicagoland area

Brian PotestaPro Member
Member since 2026 · 5 posts · 8 votes

Hi everyone - my name is Brian, and I’m new to the BiggerPockets community.

I’m a career Firefighter/Paramedic and have spent the last six years buying and selling real estate as a Realtor. I grew up in residential construction - my father is a general contractor - so I’ve been involved in building and renovation from a young age. About six years ago, I got my real estate license and began helping my father sell properties, and I now work actively with buyers and sellers alongside my fire service career.

I have experience evaluating properties from a construction perspective, including estimating renovation scope and costs and identifying potential value-add opportunities. I have GC'd projects of my own ranging from kitchen remodels to finishing basements, to full gut rehabs. I’ve also built relationships with a network of subcontractors I work with regularly, which can help keep projects moving efficiently.

As I begin transitioning into investing, I’m currently focused on learning and refining a long-term strategy. Fix-and-flips are appealing in the short term given my construction background and resources, primarily as a way to build capital. That said, my long-term goal is to shift toward buy-and-hold investments rather than creating another full-time job.

I recently came across the BP podcast and have been consuming it non-stop. This community is loaded with some insanely smart investors that I hope to learn from along the way.

Looking forward to learning from the community and contributing where I can!

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Real Estate Agent · Kansas City · Member since 2018 · 4k+ posts · 3k+ votes
5mo

I'd try BRRR's. You have the background to tackle it. Another thought is getting you GC license and utilizing that for yourself and/or as a business

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  • Real Estate Broker · Atlanta · Member since 2024 · 1k+ posts · 607 votes
    5mo

    Brian, welcome to the BP community. You have a strong foundation with your construction and agent background. Flips can build capital quickly, just be disciplined on your buy numbers and timelines so it doesn't turn into another full time job. Start mapping your transition to buy-and-hold early and plug into your local REIA group to build investor connections and deal flow.

  • Real Estate Agent · Kansas City · Member since 2018 · 4k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    5mo

    I'd try BRRR's. You have the background to tackle it. Another thought is getting you GC license and utilizing that for yourself and/or as a business

  • Kenneth GarrettPro Member
    Investor · Florida Panhandle/Illinois · Member since 2016 · 4k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    5mo

    @Brian Potesta

    I've BRRRR'd many homes in the Chicagoland market. With your construction background and your fire fighter/paramedic schedule on 24 off 48 (assuming that is your schedule) you have great potential to go far with this.

    Flipping is an option and I have flipped 5-6 houses, but my bread and butter was rentals.  Positive cash flow, tenants pay down your mortgage, pay your property taxes (which are high, maybe the highest in the country), pay insurance and other items.  I always self managed which after rehabbing was pretty smooth provided you select quality tenants.

    When you do the math rentals especially BRRRR's generate better returns then flipping provided you hold those rentals 10 years plus. Appreciation is crazy, but I call that the bonus and do not count on it. The reality is in general appreciation always goes up.

  • Denise SuppleeBusiness Member
    Realtor · Willow Grove, PA · Member since 2017 · 991 posts · 647 votes
    5mo

    Hi @Brian Potesta, welcome!! I like the way you’re thinking about flips as a stepping stone rather than the final destination. 

    Spark Rental Co-Investing Club582 Reviews
  • Brian PotestaPro Member
    OP
    Member since 2026 · 5 posts · 8 votes
    5mo

    Thanks Caleb, the BRRR seems like a really good option to get in the door.

  • Brian PotestaPro Member
    OP
    Member since 2026 · 5 posts · 8 votes
    5mo

    Kenneth, spot on with the 24/48 schedule. One of our retirees that left the fire service around 5 years ago was a RE investor over the course of his adult life. He and his wife at one point aimed to have 100 rentals as their goal. As they got closer to retirement, they pivoted and sold much of their portfolio. They now own 6-8 SFH rentals outright. They generate a meaningful amount of monthly retirement income to supplement his pension. Not a bad retirement gig. That's the main goal that I have in mind as of now. Buy and hold cash flowing properties and build equity for retirement. Thanks for taking the time to comment.

  • Brian PotestaPro Member
    OP
    Member since 2026 · 5 posts · 8 votes
    5mo

    Janice, thank you for the excellent advice. My thoughts exactly. I was listening to a BP podcast episode just yesterday about someone who had a tendency to try and take on a bunch of the easier work himself to save money but in the long run, it just took too long and made the savings not worthwhile. I can see a challenge in finding where that line is and I’m sure I’ll figure it out through doing it and making mistakes along the way. Thanks for taking the time to post, Janice. It’s very much appreciated!

  • Jonathan KlemmBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Contractor · Chicago, IL · Member since 2016 · 4k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    5mo

    Hey There @Brian Potesta - Welcome to the BP Chicago community!

    One of our favorite plumbers is actually a Chicago Firefighter!

    I highly suggest joining some of the local Chicago investor groups here where BP has theirs':https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/521-real-estate-events-...  Otherwise, I also have a list of several other meetups.

    From your story of being in construction it should like we a lot in common as well.  Would love to connect to see how I might be able to help.

  • Aaron ZimmermanBusiness Member
    Accountant · Chicago, IL · Member since 2018 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    5mo

    Welcome! I'd encourage you to go out to some real estate meetups to network with others. And listen to SUCI podcast. 

    you have a lot of great skillsets. I could see you being successful partnering, house hacking, BRRRRing or flipping 

    • Brian PotestaPro Member
      OP
      Member since 2026 · 5 posts · 8 votes
      5mo

       Aaron, thanks for the comment. I agree on the partnering, BRRRRing, and flipping. Those are the main areas that grab my interest and seem would come naturally. I’m going to start attending some meet ups and networking with others who I can learn from. I’ll check out the podcast too. Thanks!

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