Investor · Van Nuys, CA · Member since 2014 · 151 posts · 38 votes
Hi everyone. My name is Sean Hurwitz and after chatting with Mr. @Brandon Turner, I thought it might be a good idea to formally introduce myself.
Originally born and raised in Israel, I've been living in LA since 2003. I'm a Musician by trade and an entrepreneur at heart. One of my main gigs is playing guitar for the band "Smash Mouth". As I said, it's only one of them. I've also been investing in my future through song writing and producing for 8-9 years. After seeing (from experience) that music royalties are going nowhere but downhill, I decided to invest my money and time elsewhere. That's when I discovered Real Estate. So, here we are!
Thanks to the BP team and members this new adventure has been a VERY cool one so far! I listen to the podcast daily (catching up on all of them) and I'm here to make as many friends in the biz as I can. I'm ALL about the relationships, so hit me up! :-)
Rental Property Investor · Beverly Hills, CA · Member since 2014 · 472 posts · 272 votes
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Hi @Sean Hurwitz Welcome to BP. I'm really happy to hear that you've recognized the opportunity to diversify your income streams with real estate.
As @Shane W. can tell you, I'd be happy to jump on a call with you and share with you my experience of investing in real estate, getting licensed, etc here in Los Angeles.
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 all the cash buyers (rehabbers) you will need.
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
I've actually already read both of J's books and spoken to him on the phone for a while. Nice guy! Already read the free ebooks including "Rewind", which I thought was awesome! Been listening to the Podcast for a while as I mentioned in my post :-) Already been to a meeting and I'll be going to a few more for networking and what not.
Only thing is, I should have mentioned, my business model is more like J's and I'm looking to flip houses to start with, not rent them out. Gotta get that capital flowing first.
I'm in the same boat as you. I'm a new Los Angeles investor looking to flip so I can raise capital to purchase buy and hold properties.
I'm actually getting my license next year to get more educated and save on commissions when I buy and sell. Might be something worth looking into for you also if you're wanting to purchase multiple flips a year? The online course is around $250 and you have to complete around 130 hours of classes before taking the exam. Then of course there's yearly dues you have to pay a brokerage, but that's always up for negotiation.
If you want to network check out the South Bay FIBI meetings. I've been to one and they get rave reviews from everyone else in SoCal.
Also shout out if you want to connect and network.
Investor · Van Nuys, CA · Member since 2014 · 151 posts · 38 votes
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Hey @Shane W. :-) Happy 2015! Thanks for reaching out.
Sounds like we're both have the same vision. In regards to the License, I have my Fiancee getting it. I'm studying the material, but only to educate myself. After reading J Scott's book and chatting with other investors I've learned that having a license can (in some ways) hold you back as an investor since you are held to a certain moral code of conduct as a Realtor...so, I'm taking his approach to it. His wife got the license, and he stayed without one...at least for a while...I believe he has one now possibly :-)
Also, which course are you taking? My girl is using "Allied Schools" and it was $135 for the online course. Which are you taking?
Would love to chat sometime. Have you invested or flipped a house yet?
Rental Property Investor · Beverly Hills, CA · Member since 2014 · 472 posts · 272 votes
11y
Hi @Sean Hurwitz Welcome to BP. I'm really happy to hear that you've recognized the opportunity to diversify your income streams with real estate.
As @Shane W. can tell you, I'd be happy to jump on a call with you and share with you my experience of investing in real estate, getting licensed, etc here in Los Angeles.
Investor · Wichita Falls, TX · Member since 2010 · 3k+ posts · 603 votes
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Talked to you in another post but thought I'd welcome you here as well @Sean Hurwitz! Welcome to BP and I'm hoping you find everything you're looking for.
Hanford, CA · Member since 2013 · 5k+ posts · 1k+ votes
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Welcome to Biggerpockets!
You found the place to be! You will find no better place to build a solid platform than bigger pockets. The one thing we all agree up on is that we invest in real estate. Beyond that everyone has a different niche!
We are buy and hold investors who invest in class A properties self-managing from a distance while working full time. So we do work on furthering our careers. We live very frugally allowing us to live off of one income and save the other. We have further our career and used the W2 income to leverage our real estate portfolio.
I highly recommend you also check out- the blogs, forums and listen to the podcasts. If you see a post you enjoy check out the persons signature. As many of us have created resources around our niche (websites, blogs, etc) so checking out the signature is a great to get more information. Make sure you don't miss out on networking is by filling out your signature, profile and pming people with questions.
Look forward to seeing you around! Let me know if I can help! Good luck!!
Investor · Maui, HI · Member since 2009 · 13k+ posts · 3k+ votes
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@Sean Hurwitz Welcome to the site, but I'm sure I've told you that before! I thnk you are doing pretty much everything right, so I don't have much to tell ya. Except that's cool you were born in Israel - that's on my top 10 places to visit on earth. Someday!
Solo 401k Expert · Anaheim Hills, CA · Member since 2012 · 18k+ posts · 6k+ votes
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Welcome to BP community @Sean Hurwitz It is a great place to meet new friends and learn about various aspects of real estate and more. Here are a few recommendations for you:
Investor · Van Nuys, CA · Member since 2014 · 151 posts · 38 votes
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Thanks @Brandon Turner and @Dmitriy Fomichenko I appreciate the support :-) Brandon, make it happen...don't wait too long or there won't be anything to see :P
If you guys ever wanna come to a show, let me know ????
Right on Sean, I really appreciate that. Of course your music is adult oriented, sorry if that came off wrong...it is just that Shrek and Hollywood rountinely use that one song...well you know. That would be insane for a show too. Thanks!
Sherman Oaks, CA · Member since 2013 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
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Agreed Sean, kids know good stuff too...the Beatles were always one of their all time favorites. They have a special knack for identifying the timeless music it seems.
I used Allied to get my CA license about 1.5 yrs ago and really enjoyed their systems. I had my CO license prior so had a good amount of the hours done already. Anyway, their cram course/DVD definitely helped. Passed the test easily the first time. And I think it comes with 100% money back guarantee if you don't pass.
I'm open to chat anytime. Mainly do stuff on the Westside.
Lender · Dayton, OH · Member since 2008 · 1k+ posts · 705 votes
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@Sean Hurwitz Welcome to BP! When you come to Ohio, take some time to look at the real estate. It's a great place to buy properties to hold for cashflow.
Investor · Fort Wayne, IN · Member since 2014 · 1k+ posts · 515 votes
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@Sean Hurwitz Welcome to BP, so now you get to learn to be the Real Estate Rock Star. Best of Luck, you have a ton of experienced people willing to give you advice here at BP.
Welcome fellow Bigger Pockets member! This is a great forum and I am sure it will help you learn many facets of the real estate investment world. I purchased my first investment property over 40 years ago and only wish that I had a resource like BP community when I got started! So you are in a good company.
Some say that your net-worth equals your network, and this is the place to make right connections. You should also find investors locally and network with them face-to-face. Find people close to you using MEET feature. Also, look for investor meetings on Meetup.
@Sean Hurwitz Welcome to BP! When you come to Ohio, take some time to look at the real estate. It's a great place to buy properties to hold for cashflow.
I'll have you show me around when I come by! Sound good?
@Sean Hurwitz Welcome to BP, so now you get to learn to be the Real Estate Rock Star. Best of Luck, you have a ton of experienced people willing to give you advice here at BP.