Newbie from Brainerd, Minnesota!

[Sterling Barringer]

Hey everyone!

I've been reading tons of articles and posts on this site, so I figured I should join up and ask some questions of my own.

So, first things first. I'm 18, which brings me to my first question. Can I even get involved in the real estate scene, or do I need to just read everything I possibly can and try to get started in a few years? I actually have a little bit of management experience, and I believe I'm fully capable of making wise decisions and not acting impulsively and destructively, but my peers often give me a reputation that's very hard to break. Plus, I have very, very little money to actually do anything on my own at this point!

That being said, where should I start? Obviously, I've been reading the articles on here and some books about real estate investing. Any one have any books that they especially liked or thought would be very beneficial for a beginner? Any other tips or advice for a beginner?

Thanks for reading!!

[Elizabeth Colegrove]

Welcome to Bigger Pockets!

We are buy and hold investors. We got started at 23 right out of my masters program. We work full time and invest in real state on the side. We got started when I graduated from graduate school with a personal property that we fixed up and rented it out when my husband was transferred. We also buy pure properties all over the nation where it makes sense. So use your job for the amazing opportunity of learning different markets on someone else dime! Our goal is for early retirement in 15 years :)

While you are just getting started and still poor. Rent out your rooms. This will allow you to live very, cheaply if not free. Allowing you to save even more for your next investment. We have lived very cheaply to get to where our investments are at. While we live we do so frugally. 

You will love the diverse community and all the resources. So a great place is to look around the blogs, forums and listen to the podcasts for different niches. If you see a post you enjoy check out the persons signature. Many of us including myself talk about our strategies, styles, niches and business model on our website. So definitely check that out as it is an amazing additional resource. For example, my blog is about while working full time, buy and hold investing, 0% Down Rentals, Personal Properties turned rentals, Long distancing investing, self-managing 3,000+ miles away. Definitely list your blog or website in your signature, if you have one. Its a great additional networking source.

If you put your ind to it you will succeed. Look forward to seeing and connecting with you around! Let me know if I can help!