Beginner from Suffolk, Virginia

[Kevin Greene]

Hello all,

I'm from Suffolk, Virginia, which is located about 30-45 minutes from the more well-known areas of Norfolk and Virginia Beach. I work in VB as an IT system administrator. I love my job, but learning real estate investment has been my focus lately. I've been working my way through the BP podcast archive and several investment books. 

Where I'm at: Currently own my own home free and clear. I'm working on establishing work and lead networks to help me get started with my first investment property. I'm also converting part of my home to a rental to provide some additional cash flow for investing. I've been working with a realtor and have been analyzing various properties. I have my eye on one but don't feel comfortable pulling the trigger just yet.

My investment goals:
- Have enough cash flow from rentals to work on my own terms, and not report to an office for 40 hours a week.
- Provide an excellent education for my young daughter.
- Establish a mastermind group in Hampton Roads with other beginning investors to share ideas.
- Donate 10% of my investment proceeds to educating young people about computers and technology (I really want to get Raspberry Pi computers in local schools).

I look forward to hearing from you all!  

-Kevin

[Paul Timmins]

@Kevin Greene

Welcome. Your profession should be the source of all the private money you will need. 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.

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 (cash buyers). Find them through Google and meetup.com

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