Ballplayer from Seattle looking 2 begin my Investment Journey!

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Ballplayer from Seattle looking 2 begin my Investment Journey!

Trevor May
Seattle, WA · Member since 2016 · 5 posts · 1 vote

Hello, name is Trevor May. I am originally from the small town if Kelso, WA, but am now based, at least in the Fall and Winter, in Seattle. For the other 7 months of the year, I spend my time as a baseball player in Florida and Minneapolis. 

Over the last 3 or 4 months I've been extremely interested in creating substantial passive income, as my career is over much earlier than most are, even for those that are extremely lucky. I've looked into ventures in a bunch of places, and recently, I've devoted hour on hour to learning as much as I can about real estate investing. Bigger Pockets is definitely the place to learn. 

I have a partner that has been in the game for about a year now, owning a few properties of his own, and Im looking to link up as an investor. 

I want to be able to learn as quickly as possible about market analysis, property analysis, etc. I know this community is the place to start, but is there any specific articles, books, or videos that you guys found extremely helpful as a starting point? 

Thank you in advance for any help you can offer!

Cheers!

Trevor May

1Reply
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Most Popular Reply

William "W.J" Mencarow
Investor · Kerrville, TX · Member since 2015 · 53 posts · 72 votes
10y

Hi Trevor,

I've been investing in single family houses since the '80s.  I've learned most of what I know from John Schaub (I've learned  most of what NOT to do by screwing up).  His book "Building Wealth One House At A Time" is full of great advice, as are his home study courses.  In fact, I just went to his live course in Sarasota.   

There are a lot of get-rich-quick crooks claiming to teach real estate.  Anybody who spends most of his time giving seminars doesn't have time to actually be doing real estate.  Avoid anybody who upsells you, charges thousands for "mentoring" or "coaching" or "boot camps."  Generally in real estate education, the higher the price the less valuable.  

I hope this helps.  Feel free to email me if you have questions.  I'm easily found in a web search.

Bill

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  • Account Closed
    Residential Real Estate Broker · Seattle, WA · Member since 2016 · 17 posts · 11 votes
    10y

    Hi Trevor,

      Welcome to Seattle!  We have a faced paced market up here, but there are always good deals to be found if you are willing and know how to find them.   Bigger Pockets has a GREAT starting guide on how to analyze a potential rental property, I would suggest starting with it:

    https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2014/09/2...

    If that guide had been around when I bought my first rental, I would have made a much better decision.  If you want to get a different perspective, the book "Buy It, Rent It, PROFIT" by Bryan M. Chavis is a great beginners guide.

    Good luck!

    Christy :)

    1Reply
  • William "W.J" Mencarow
    Investor · Kerrville, TX · Member since 2015 · 53 posts · 72 votes
    10y

    Hi Trevor,

    I've been investing in single family houses since the '80s.  I've learned most of what I know from John Schaub (I've learned  most of what NOT to do by screwing up).  His book "Building Wealth One House At A Time" is full of great advice, as are his home study courses.  In fact, I just went to his live course in Sarasota.   

    There are a lot of get-rich-quick crooks claiming to teach real estate.  Anybody who spends most of his time giving seminars doesn't have time to actually be doing real estate.  Avoid anybody who upsells you, charges thousands for "mentoring" or "coaching" or "boot camps."  Generally in real estate education, the higher the price the less valuable.  

    I hope this helps.  Feel free to email me if you have questions.  I'm easily found in a web search.

    Bill

    2Reply
  • Rex King
    Investor · Saint Paul, MN · Member since 2014 · 48 posts · 39 votes
    10y

    Trevor

    One of my best friends and investors is in your office. Keep up the good work.

    0Reply
  • Trevor May
    OP
    Seattle, WA · Member since 2016 · 5 posts · 1 vote
    10y
    Originally posted by @Rex King:

    Trevor

    One of my best friends and investors is in your office. Keep up the good work.

     Oh Really?! Ill have to discuss this stuff with them, best way to learn.

    And god knows, were around each other plenty.

    0Reply
  • Trevor May
    OP
    Seattle, WA · Member since 2016 · 5 posts · 1 vote
    10y
    Originally posted by @William "W.J" Mencarow:

    Hi Trevor,

    I've been investing in single family houses since the '80s.  I've learned most of what I know from John Schaub (I've learned  most of what NOT to do by screwing up).  His book "Building Wealth One House At A Time" is full of great advice, as are his home study courses.  In fact, I just went to his live course in Sarasota.   

    There are a lot of get-rich-quick crooks claiming to teach real estate.  Anybody who spends most of his time giving seminars doesn't have time to actually be doing real estate.  Avoid anybody who upsells you, charges thousands for "mentoring" or "coaching" or "boot camps."  Generally in real estate education, the higher the price the less valuable.  

    I hope this helps.  Feel free to email me if you have questions.  I'm easily found in a web search.

    Bill

     Awesome! Thank you very much for the reply. I've put his book on the list, Im building quite the stack of materials and I cannot wait to get through it all. I'll definitely reach out if I have questions!

    0Reply
  • Bruce Runn
    Investor · Minneapolis, MN · Member since 2014 · 743 posts · 927 votes
    10y

    Hey Trevor,

    Take a look at my posts and see if anything strikes an interest. I'm in Minneapolis and have all of my properties in Uptown. I meet with 2-3 sets of people a month mentoring/showing them how I began investing, buying, renovating, and managing investment properties and how it can help them. I'd also suggest going to REI meet ups to make connections and learn from people that are in the business.

    Good luck and if you want to meet up for coffee , let me know when you are in town.

    0Reply
  • Trevor May
    OP
    Seattle, WA · Member since 2016 · 5 posts · 1 vote
    10y
    Originally posted by @Account Closed:

    Hi Trevor,

      Welcome to Seattle!  We have a faced paced market up here, but there are always good deals to be found if you are willing and know how to find them.   Bigger Pockets has a GREAT starting guide on how to analyze a potential rental property, I would suggest starting with it:

    https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2014/09/2...

    If that guide had been around when I bought my first rental, I would have made a much better decision.  If you want to get a different perspective, the book "Buy It, Rent It, PROFIT" by Bryan M. Chavis is a great beginners guide.

    Good luck!

    Christy :)

     Thanks Christy! I;m going through the guid as we speak, and I just added the book onto my must read list. Can't wait to get going. 

    0Reply
  • Brad Kayser
    Real Estate Agent · Sarasota, FL · Member since 2016 · 1 post · 0 votes
    10y

    Trevor,

    I am a real estate agent and work with numerous investors in Sarasota and investors from other countries.  If you would like to meet for some coffee we could discuss strategies and approaches that define your short term and long term objectives. 

    I have worked on projects ranging from residential flips to multi family condo conversions to large land deals.  I know the Sarasota market inside out and would be happy to give you an overview of the market.

    Let me know  if you are interested.

    Best regards,

    Brad Kayser

    0Reply
  • Ryland Taniguchi
    San Francisco, CA · Member since 2015 · 786 posts · 717 votes
    10y
    Originally posted by @Trevor May:

    Hello, name is Trevor May. I am originally from the small town if Kelso, WA, but am now based, at least in the Fall and Winter, in Seattle. For the other 7 months of the year, I spend my time as a baseball player in Florida and Minneapolis. 

    Over the last 3 or 4 months I've been extremely interested in creating substantial passive income, as my career is over much earlier than most are, even for those that are extremely lucky. I've looked into ventures in a bunch of places, and recently, I've devoted hour on hour to learning as much as I can about real estate investing. Bigger Pockets is definitely the place to learn. 

    I have a partner that has been in the game for about a year now, owning a few properties of his own, and Im looking to link up as an investor. 

    I want to be able to learn as quickly as possible about market analysis, property analysis, etc. I know this community is the place to start, but is there any specific articles, books, or videos that you guys found extremely helpful as a starting point? 

    Thank you in advance for any help you can offer!

    Cheers!

    Trevor May

     Good luck in Seattle. It is a great place to invest in real estate.

    0Reply
  • Jeff Ladd
    Festus, MO · Member since 2015 · 11 posts · 2 votes
    10y

    Hi Trevor

    Welcome to BP. You are in the right place for learning real estate investing. I wish I would have found this place years ago. 

    If you already have a partner, just start in the education section by studying the areas in which he is not an expert. Eventually you want to study as much info as you can. But to start get familiar with finding the type of properties you and your partner want to invest in? What are your goals? Write them down. Build a plan that includes time and money for both education and participation. Also, consider shadowing an expert at first. Offer your time or anything else that may be of value to that expert. 

    0Reply
  • Kevin C.
    Real Estate Investor · Burien, WA · Member since 2014 · 286 posts · 98 votes
    10y

    Hello @Trevor May

    Welcome to BP. I recommend you get The book on Rental Property Investing by@Brandon Turner. Its fantastic and IMO its the second greatest REI book ever written.

    0Reply
  • Trevor May
    OP
    Seattle, WA · Member since 2016 · 5 posts · 1 vote
    10y
    Originally posted by @Kevin C.:

    Hello @Trevor May

    Welcome to BP. I recommend you get The book on Rental Property Investing by@Brandon Turner. Its fantastic and IMO its the second greatest REI book ever written.

     Already listened to the first 4 hours on audible today! Im going to buy the hard copy too, I'd love to cover it in notes. 

    0Reply
  • Kevin C.
    Real Estate Investor · Burien, WA · Member since 2014 · 286 posts · 98 votes
    10y

    @Trevor May, Thats great to hear, my copy is already looking well used, lol

    0Reply
  • Michaela G.
    Investor · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2013 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    10y

    There was another thread not so long ago, by another baseball player, also wanting to get into real estate. Maybe you want to contact him. Even though you're in different cities, you have that baseball background and the moving around and limited time to focus in common. 

    https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/12/topics/272038-baseball-player-aspiring-real-estate-investor

    1Reply
  • Robert Fyall
    Snohomish, WA · Member since 2013 · 5 posts · 1 vote
    10y
    Trevor - I live in the area and could possibly help answer a few of your questions. Reach out if interested. Rob
    1Reply
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