Recent law school graduate and investor ready to network!

New Member Introductions

Recent law school graduate and investor ready to network!

Fort Howard, MD · Member since 2014 · 18 posts · 5 votes

Greetings, BiggerPockets! I am about to run off to class but wanted to take a moment to say I am excited about my joining BiggerPockets and welcome all constructive criticism, advice, comments, and questions.

I am especially interested in meeting investors around Baltimore, my current place of residence, and around Washington, D.C. I would also like to meet a mentor. I have an insatiable thirst for knowledge and plan to master the house flipping process as best as I possibly can.

About me: I graduated from law school in May 2014 and am currently earning a master's degree in real estate development. I have worked at a law firm in Eastern Europe, the IRS, and a District of Columbia housing agency. Of course, the most valuable education is earned by actually "doing," and I am currently waiting to close on my first property. I have learned so much during this acquisition and intend to share my insights and future experiences with the BiggerPockets community.

Hope to hear from you! Best wishes, and happy investing!

CP

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Martin Vendemia
Real Estate Investor · Monrovia, MD · Member since 2014 · 3 posts · 0 votes
11y
Hi Chris,
Glad to have you here. I am also new on BP. I personally am a private investor and also Executive Director for Lifetime Trust (a 501(c)(3) charity, working with affordable housing, and is just starting to get active with real estate.
Feel free to say hi or connect.
Martin
web: Lifetimetrust.org
0 Reply
Andy Gross
Baltimore, MD · Member since 2014 · 145 posts · 65 votes
11y
@Chris Pappas welcome to BP! I graduated the University of Baltimore a few years ago and considered going back to get a Masters in RE Development, but this site seems to have a great deal of free info. How do you like the program?
0 Reply
Jon HuberPro Member
Rental Property Investor · Boca Raton, FL · Member since 2014 · 1k+ posts · 713 votes
11y
@Chris Pappas Welcome to the community! Now get active... read blogs, ask questions, and I highly suggest a podcast marathon! Good luck.
0 Reply
Chris Pappas
OP
Fort Howard, MD · Member since 2014 · 18 posts · 5 votes
11y
@Andy Gross Thanks for the warm welcome. I believe the real estate development master's degree will be a real boon to me. It is comprehensive and focuses on practical application of skills necessary to the development process. I am regularly producing pro formas for hypothetical developments and analyzing their financial viability. I am learning the political dimensions of development from zoning attorneys and land use experts. I am also conducting a full market analysis of a significant multifamily development which includes site and neighborhood analysis, economic analysis, demographic analysis, and competitive product analysis (largely based on pulling data from various governmental sources and visiting the actual site to be developed). If you have the time and money, I think it is a worthwhile investment. Though, of course, "learning by doing" is always the best education, IMHO.
0 Reply
Elizabeth Colegrove
Hanford, CA · Member since 2013 · 5k+ posts · 1k+ votes
11y
Welcome to Biggerpocket!
Definitely check out the blogs, podcast and forums. Another great source of information is individual blogs found in peoples signatures. Many of us including myself write about our niche. The only thing we all agree about is investing in Real Estate. Beyond that there are many different style and types of investing. My blog/website is about long distance self management, landlording, investing in class A investments, investing in a transient lifestyle, etc.
Look forward to seeing you around!
0 Reply
Brandon TurnerPro Member
Investor · Maui, HI · Member since 2009 · 13k+ posts · 3k+ votes
11y
Hey @Chris Pappas thanks for introducing yourself! It's great to have you here! Don't miss The BiggerPockets Podcast - they are great for learning how others are finding success.
Also - be sure to check out the post "House Flipping: The Best of BiggerPockets." It's a collection of the best flipping info from the site.
Oh - and be sure to set up some Keyword Alerts- especially for "Fort Howard" so you'll be notified when people mention it here in the forums.
Thanks again for introducing yourself!
Podcast Guest on Show #92
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Marvin Dean
Miramar, FL · Member since 2014 · 54 posts · 25 votes
11y
Hey @Chris Pappas Welcome. I myself am very new to BP and investing so nothing to give you just now there. But I can still say Hi and wish you nothing but the best. This is an awesome site and so far it has been a pleasure. There is some much to learn and it is the first time that I've been on a resource like this where the help is so freely given!
The Ultimate Beginners Guide is also a great resource and recommended reading if you haven't already.
http://www.biggerpockets.com/real-estate-investing
Good luck in all your endeavors!
-Marvin
0 Reply
Eric M.
Investor · Washington, Washington D.C. · Member since 2014 · 96 posts · 39 votes
11y
@Chris Pappas Not to pry, but why get a masters in RE after you earned a law degree? Particularly if you are going to be an investor, I wonder how much value a masters in RE will provide compared to day-to-day practical RE knowledge? Just something to think about if you haven't started the program yet! ;-)
0 Reply
Sascha Weinberg
Real Estate Investor · Frankfurt, Germany · Member since 2014 · 48 posts · 12 votes
11y
@Chris Pappas Welcome to the site, it will surely help you achieve your goals!
0 Reply
Chris Pappas
OP
Fort Howard, MD · Member since 2014 · 18 posts · 5 votes
11y
@Sascha Weinberg Thank you for the warm welcome!
@Eric M. The masters is in development, a topic with which I am fairly unfamiliar. After the first 3 months, I have few criticisms. The program is very practical (completing pro formas, completing an actual market analysis, etc), so it isn't too dissimilar from on the job training except it is organized and very dense. I feel the degree will also expand my network (all of the professors are experts and top active professionals in the industry) and it will enhance my credibility. It was definitely a hard decision to make but I think it will be very valuable. The scholarship helped, too!
0 Reply
James Wise
Real Estate Broker · Cleveland Dayton Cincinnati Toledo Columbus & Akron, OH · Member since 2013 · 30k+ posts · 20k+ votes
11y
@Chris Pappas
welcome to the site.
0 Reply
Chris Pappas
OP
Fort Howard, MD · Member since 2014 · 18 posts · 5 votes
11y
@James Wise Thanks! Happy investing!
0 Reply
Paul Timmins
Specialist · Rockland, MA · Member since 2010 · 7k+ posts · 2k+ votes
11y
@Chris Pappas
Welcome. Take a good look at student housing see below. Fill in the foundation below.
Check out the Start Here page http://www.biggerpockets.com/starthere
Check out BiggerPockets Ultimate Beginner's Guide - A fantastic free book that walks through many of the key topics of real estate investing.
Check out the free BiggerPockets Podcast - A weekly podcast with interviews and a ton of great advice. And you get the benefit of having over 90 past ones to catch up on.
Locate and attend 3 different local REIA club meetings great place to meet people gather resources and info. Here you will meet wholesalers who provide deals and rehabbers.
Two Great reads, I bought both J. Scott The Book on Flipping Houses, The Book on Estimating ReHab Costs http://www.biggerpockets.com/flippingbook
Consider checking out HUD homes for small multi's owner occupied gets first crack.
You might consider Niche or Specialized Housing like student housing. Rents can be 2-4 times more. Remember you don't have to own a property to control it.
Download BP’s newest book here some good due diligence in Chapter 10. Real Estate Rewind Starting over
http://www.biggerpockets.com/files/user/brandonatbp/file/real-estate-rewind-a-biggerpockets-community-book
Good Luck
Paul
0 Reply
Dmitriy Fomichenko
Solo 401k Expert · Anaheim Hills, CA · Member since 2012 · 18k+ posts · 6k+ votes
11y
Welcome to BP community @Chris Pappas It is a great place to meet new friends and learn about various aspects of real estate and more.
Wishing you the best!
0 Reply
Chris Pappas
OP
Fort Howard, MD · Member since 2014 · 18 posts · 5 votes
11y
@Dmitriy Fomichenko @Paul Timmins Thank you for the kind words and advice! Looking forward to this new endeavor.
0 Reply
Eric M.
Investor · Washington, Washington D.C. · Member since 2014 · 96 posts · 39 votes
11y
@Chris Pappas Fair enough! Glad you're getting some scholarship money. Best of luck with your studies.
0 Reply
Chris Pappas
OP
Fort Howard, MD · Member since 2014 · 18 posts · 5 votes
11y
@Eric M. Thanks a ton. Best wishes.
0 Reply
Dave VisayaPro Member
Moderator
Audio Engineer and Investor · Cebu City, Cebu · Member since 2013 · 7k+ posts · 881 votes
11y
Hey @Chris Pappas welcome to BiggerPockets! This is the perfect place to learn more about REI. You can check the Learn tab above to get some free resources on getting started.
0 Reply
Chris Pappas
OP
Fort Howard, MD · Member since 2014 · 18 posts · 5 votes
11y
@Dave Visaya I appreciate the warm welcome! I intend to make the most of it. See you around the forums!
0 Reply
Mike HurneyPro Member
Real Estate Investor · Boston, MA · Member since 2009 · 2k+ posts · 542 votes
11y
@Chris Pappas Welcome, good evening to work with some Pros if you're starting out...
Meeting at my signature below.
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