New to the forum, just wanted to introduce myself!

New to the forum, just wanted to introduce myself!

Columbus, OH · Member since 2017 · 101 posts · 56 votes
Hey everyone! My name is Josh Biondi. I'm 29 years old and I was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio. I've always been interested in real estate, but just this last year decided to take the plunge so to speak. I currently work for the Department of Education and recently graduated with a two years Associates Degree in Business Management. I have saved enough money over the last year for a down payment, and was recently pre approved for a loan to purchase my first property. I plan on buying a double, living on one side, and gradually increasing my portfolio from there. I am lucky to have an uncle who has been successful in real estate who is acting as somewhat of a mentor to me. Now that I'm finished with school I have a lot more time to read everyday and learn more about real estate investing. I plan on being active here on the forum and would love to make new friends, as well as potential contacts, with the same mindset. Sorry for the long drawn out post, I wasn't sure what I should include in an introduction.
3Reply
16 views

Most Popular Reply

Wooster, OH · Member since 2016 · 38 posts · 19 votes
9y

Welcome Joshua!  I'm also just about to get started in Columbus and hoping to house-hack a triplex or quad this spring.  There's so much great information on this site!  

See this reply in the discussion

24 Replies

Jump to latestLatest
  • Wooster, OH · Member since 2016 · 38 posts · 19 votes
    9y

    Welcome Joshua!  I'm also just about to get started in Columbus and hoping to house-hack a triplex or quad this spring.  There's so much great information on this site!  

  • Columbus, OH · Member since 2017 · 101 posts · 56 votes
    9y
    Sharon Seiter thanks for the welcome! So far I'm amazed out how helpful BP has been as a whole! I listen to their podcasts daily and I'm currently reading The Beginners Guide to Real Estate Investing. The forum is excellent as well! Good luck with your endeavors this year! I look forward to interacting in the future.
  • Wooster, OH · Member since 2016 · 38 posts · 19 votes
    9y

    It's an awesome book...and actually one of the first I read on real estate investing!  

    Here's a local meetup opportunity next week that I'm reposting from @Ed W.  I haven't attended yet, but have heard good things.  These usually happen monthly:

    Meeting Thursday Jan. 19th at Tommy's Pizza on Dublin-Granville between 6 and 9 PM. 6 - 7 is Q&A for newbies and to deal with difficult problems for more experienced investors. Speaker at 7 PM. Networking at about 8 PM. This is a free meeting, no charge to attend. Tommy's is on the south side of 161 right next to the Oakland Nursery.

  • Columbus, OH · Member since 2017 · 101 posts · 56 votes
    9y
    Thank you! I was hoping to find a local meetup soon. I'm definitely going to attend. I really appreciate the info!
  • Professional · Columbus, OH · Member since 2016 · 38 posts · 3 votes
    9y

    Welcome.

  • Developer · Hobart, IN · Member since 2014 · 773 posts · 225 votes
    9y

    Welcome to the site! There is a ton of information not here and some great connections. Stay active on here and network like crazy. Best of luck if I can help at all please let me know. 

  • Columbus, OH · Member since 2017 · 101 posts · 56 votes
    9y
    Etienne Manning thank you!
  • Columbus, OH · Member since 2017 · 101 posts · 56 votes
    9y
    John Mathewson thank you, I really appreciate that! I'm forward to networking and meeting people on here!
  • Investor/Agent · Mechanicsburg, OH · Member since 2015 · 138 posts · 56 votes
    9y

    Welcome @Joshua Biondi !

    BP is a great resource for all things real estate. Ask lots of questions, network, learn, but more importantly TAKE ACTION. What areas of Columbus are you looking for a double ?

  • Agent · Columbus, OH · Member since 2014 · 77 posts · 23 votes
    9y

    @Joshua Biondi Welcome to BP! I started out in Columbus by house hacking a duplex and am now up to 14 units. I think its a great way to start and learn the business. Good luck and let me know if I can help at all.

  • Professional · Carlsbad, CA · Member since 2012 · 12k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    9y

    @Joshua Biondi

    Welcome to Bigger Pockets. You are at the right place to learn about real estate investing.

  • Columbus, OH · Member since 2017 · 101 posts · 56 votes
    9y
    Thanks Adam Fansler !!! I'm planning on operating a sober house out of the other side of the duplex, so I'm thinking possibly towards the Hilltop area or on the outskirts of Old Towne East. I realize the potential headaches that come with operating a sober house, but I have many connections within the recovery community here in Columbus, and there is potential for a much greater cash flow.
  • Columbus, OH · Member since 2017 · 101 posts · 56 votes
    9y
    Justin Taber thank you!! I really appreciate that!
  • Columbus, OH · Member since 2017 · 101 posts · 56 votes
    9y
    Mark Nolan thank you!! I'm really happy that I stumbled across BP! It has already been a tremendous help in the short time that I've known about it.
  • Robert EllisBusiness Member
    Developer · Miami, FL · Member since 2014 · 3k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    9y
    Originally posted by @Joshua Biondi:

    Thanks Adam Fansler !!!

    I'm planning on operating a sober house out of the other side of the duplex, so I'm thinking possibly towards the Hilltop area or on the outskirts of Old Towne East. I realize the potential headaches that come with operating a sober house, but I have many connections within the recovery community here in Columbus, and there is potential for a much greater cash flow.

     I think that's a great idea Joshua! I'd recommend sitting down with the directors of the organization before you purchase to ask them about what criteria they use for a sober house. Most of these types of organizations have certain criteria to meet to create that type of property. We recently worked with someone looking for a medical treatment facility close to downtown. Let me know if there is any advice I can give. Sounds like you've narrowed down your areas you are interested in. What price range are you looking at? 

    There is a sober house that I know of in Victorian Village close to downtown that is a very popular place. I think it's called the house of hope. 

  • Columbus, OH · Member since 2017 · 101 posts · 56 votes
    9y
    Robert Ellis I was recently approved for a $165,000 FHA loan which includes 10% allotted for repairs based on purchase price. I have a few friends who operate sober houses who have been helpful in guiding me through operating procedures. I'm actually very familiar with the house of hope, a good friend of mine is the Programs Director there. However, my plan is to purchase a duplex as a traditional buyer, and rent out the other side to up to four individuals in recovery, based on a contractual agreement that they will adhere to the rules set in place. I plan to calculate the investment cost at a point that even renting to a single family would produce some cash flow. The potential for greater cash flow with a sober house lies in the fact that standard rent is $100 a week per bed. I want to make sure to cover my bases either way to ensure the purchase is a good investment.
  • Solo 401k Expert · Anaheim Hills, CA · Member since 2012 · 18k+ posts · 6k+ votes
    9y

    @Joshua Biondi

    Welcome to the BP family! Here are some recommendations for you:

    Find and connect with other BP members that are in your area:http://www.biggerpockets.com/meet
    Set up keyword alerts to be notified of the topics that interest you:http://www.biggerpockets.com/alerts
    Read Beginner’s Guide:http://www.biggerpockets.com/real-estate-investing
    Check out BP Podcasts:http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/category/podcast/

    Wishing you the best!

  • Columbus, OH · Member since 2017 · 101 posts · 56 votes
    9y
    Dmitriy Fomichenko thank you!! I listen to BP Podcasts daily and I'm currently reading the Beginners Guide to Real Estate Investing. I plan to attend my first meetup here in Columbus a week from today, thanks to info from another BP member. Setting alerts for keywords is a great idea!! I really appreciate the help!!
  • Rental Property Investor · Blacklick, OH · Member since 2016 · 286 posts · 253 votes
    9y

    @Joshua Biondi  Welcome bigger pockets.  Check out the webinars and the member blogs.  I also personally love the email newsletter they send a couple times week.  They highlight a lot of great articles decreasing the time I would spend searching for them.  

  • Columbus, OH · Member since 2017 · 101 posts · 56 votes
    9y
    Ryan Mainwaring thanks for the welcome! I've found the email newsletter to be extremely helpful as well. I'm hoping to be able to start attending the webinars as soon as I can get a change in my upcoming work schedule. I'm still amazed at all the helpful info that BP has to offer.
  • Investor / Landlord · Columbus, OH · Member since 2015 · 276 posts · 174 votes
    9y

    @Joshua Biondi "...and would love to make new friends, as well as potential contacts, with the same mindset"

    A more complete description of the meeting @Sharon Seiter mentioned has been posted in the meeting forum.

  • Columbus, OH · Member since 2017 · 101 posts · 56 votes
    9y
    Ed W. thank you! I look forward to attending.
  • Real Estate Marketing Professional · Columbus, OH · Member since 2015 · 299 posts · 125 votes
    9y

    Welcome @Joshua Biondi -- wanted to put in a plug for the local COREE group as well if you want to network even outside your House of Hope contacts: www.centralohioreia.com. Good luck!

  • Columbus, OH · Member since 2017 · 101 posts · 56 votes
    9y
    Kim Younkin thank you! I appreciate that!
Join the conversationCreate a free account to reply, vote on answers and follow this thread.