US Navy Veteran turned Investor

US Navy Veteran turned Investor

Wholesaler · Newark, NJ · Member since 2016 · 4 posts · 2 votes

Hi guys, my real estate experience is diverse. I began investing in real estate while serving in the US Navy. During this time I began wholesaling properties and later flipping. After the Navy I joined a Commercial Real Estate firm where I learned the land brokerage and land development business. So as I said...my background is diverse. 

I relocated to NYC a few years out of the Navy to complete my undergraduate degree at New York University. I'm currently reside just outside of Newark, NJ. After my time at NYU, I joined a prominent investment sales firm in Midtown NYC. This experience introduced me to the world of multifamily/mixed use building brokerage. While there I learned some key concepts that helped me learned how to underwrite properties, structure deals and identify key sources of equity. I built a database of 1,200 property owners, investors and developers in my market. My primary focus was Upper Manhattan, Harlem specifically. 

I left the investment sales firm to begin investing for my own account. I'm currently interested in doing deals in primarily in Newark, the Oranges as well as the right opportunities in NYC/Harlem. I'm open to working with partners with integrity who have a similar business plan of buying and holding; flipping and wholesaling. I've also been speaking to the city regarding development opportunities in emerging areas - this is a third area of focus. 

Ironically, most of database consist of owner/investors who look to deploy large sums of money - $5M+ so my database of investors who do less capital intensive is much smaller. Let's talk. 

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New Jersey, NJ · Member since 2015 · 327 posts · 137 votes
9y
Yahya Henry thank you for your service, I'm a Marine veteran myself. Seems like you have a great head start, Development is great and hope to get there one day.
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  • Michael S.Pro Member
    Biggerpockets Support · Las Pinas, Metro Manila · Member since 2015 · 7k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    9y

    Welcome to Biggerpockets @Account Closed 

    BiggerPockets
  • New Jersey, NJ · Member since 2015 · 327 posts · 137 votes
    9y
    Yahya Henry thank you for your service, I'm a Marine veteran myself. Seems like you have a great head start, Development is great and hope to get there one day.
  • Wholesaler · Newark, NJ · Member since 2016 · 4 posts · 2 votes
    9y

    Thanks William. What line of work are you in?

  • New Jersey, NJ · Member since 2015 · 327 posts · 137 votes
    9y
    Yahya Henry I work both in construction and real estate on buying and holding properties. I'm currently looking to purchase 2 in NJ and was looking at Newark for the past 3 months but after extend research I no longer will deal with Newark for now but in the future yes. Now I'm more focus in the Elizabeth City area. I'm taking a break on flipping cause it's 2 different types of renovation and since I do my own renovation as a contractor, I had more fun renovating and renting my rental properties than renovating my flips and selling it. Give me more time and I will reach your level of developing, that's like the highest level or real estate and would like to sit down and chat one day of our war stories lol or real estate.
  • Wholesaler · Newark, NJ · Member since 2016 · 4 posts · 2 votes
    9y

    It looks like we can learn from each other because my goal moving forward is to develop a buy and hold strategy. 

    I am bullish on Newark. After meeting with the city and learning more about their vision for the city, I would recommend taking another look. 

    Here are a couple articles:

    https://nextcity.org/daily/entry/newark-developmen...

    http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/03/new...

  • Specialist · Delran, NJ · Member since 2016 · 2k+ posts · 951 votes
    9y

    Welcome to BP @Account Closed and thanks for your service!

  • Wholesaler · Newark, NJ · Member since 2016 · 4 posts · 2 votes
    9y

    Thank you!

  • Real Estate Agent · Belleville, NJ · Member since 2015 · 408 posts · 94 votes
    9y

    @Account Closed I see you were a Marine yourself as well. When did you serve? Also, have you done any projects for other people in NJ yet? 

  • New Jersey, NJ · Member since 2015 · 327 posts · 137 votes
    9y
    Johnathan Boyle urahhh Marine, I serve 8 years. I have not done any projects for others in NJ, only for myself until I get more experience with that market. If you want to get great deals in Newark, go to the sherif office for thier auctions, the prices on winning bids is great.
  • Real Estate Agent · Belleville, NJ · Member since 2015 · 408 posts · 94 votes
    9y

    @Account Closed That is awesome. Semper Fi! I have seen the sheriff sales and sometimes believe me when I say they are too good to be true. lol. Would you mind if I reached out for your contracting services when I find a deal in Newark or the surrounding areas? 

  • New Jersey, NJ · Member since 2015 · 327 posts · 137 votes
    9y
    Johnathan Boyle anytime Sergeant send me a personal message, and we could meet up for coffee and chat.
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