Investor · East Berlin, PA · Member since 2016 · 4 posts · 3 votes
My name is Richard Brown, but I go by Gene (It's short for my middle name). I am currently attending school at Penn State - Harrisburg for a Mechanical Engineering degree, although I am not sure if I will continue on into the field of engineering. I dislike cramped spaces and I prefer to set my own goals rather than a corporate manager setting them for me.
I am looking into real estate investing because the independence and financial freedom of being a full time real estate investor greatly appeals to me. I am still researching and preparing, sort of understanding the real estate hang glider before I jump of the cliff. I have an idea of how to get started and hope to be a fully functional and operating investor by May of this year.
I live in Hummelstown, very close to Penn State Harrisburg.
I'm an '08 grad from PSU engineering. I'd highly recommend getting your engineering degree. I too want to get out of the corporate world through real estate but it's a lot easier to invest when you have a solid engineering salary coming in. Plus it's a lot easier to qualify for loans.
Graduate, get a good job earning $60-$70k and save from the very beginning. Then invest that savings in real estate.
I live in Hummelstown, very close to Penn State Harrisburg.
I'm an '08 grad from PSU engineering. I'd highly recommend getting your engineering degree. I too want to get out of the corporate world through real estate but it's a lot easier to invest when you have a solid engineering salary coming in. Plus it's a lot easier to qualify for loans.
Graduate, get a good job earning $60-$70k and save from the very beginning. Then invest that savings in real estate.
@Richard Brown, welcome to BP. I lived in York Springs and Hershey, Pa. It's been a long time since I have seen a reference to East Berlin. Congrats on taking the the first step in real estate. You should check out the BP Pod Casts.
I agree with @Kyle McCorkelyou should continue to pursue your BS degree. I think obtaining employment and the associated W-2 will assist you in getting loans. Also it is much easier to go to school when you are younger, which I am assuming you are. Additionally, obtaining your degree unlocks other doors, which you might find valuable in the future. You have plenty of time, REI is a marathon not a sprint. Good luck in your future endeavors.
Thank you both for your advise. A couple other people, who either own their own business or are RE investors, confirmed what you said concerning a solid job helping with loans. It was a variable I had not factored in.
Welcome, Richard. I could use some help with some aspects of our business a few hours a week, maybe we could work some together this spring and give you some "in the field" experience. I'll reach out via PM.
@Richard Brown Welcome to the site! I currently live and invest in the camp hill area. Luckily, there are several local REIA groups. Two in Harrisburg, 1 in Lancaster, 1 in York and 1 in camp hill. I try to attend more then 1 but always make it to CARPOA, 1st Thursday of the month located at the Giant in camp hill. Its a great place to learn and network. Hope to see you there.
Welcome to BP I love your attitude. Be sure to check out your Local REI meetings. There is a wealth of knowledge waiting to be shares in those meetings .
Best of luck