New Investor and Professional Athlete in the Tempe area

Rental Property Investor · Clifton, NJ · Member since 2016 · 43 posts · 60 votes

Hi, my name is Hakeem Valles and I just completed my rookie year for the Arizona Cardinals. I moved to the Tempe area in May after the draft and now that the season is over I am ready to dive into real estate. I have always had a passion for real estate and I want to primarily focus on rental properties. I am looking to connect and network with any local investors, contractors, agents, brokers, and anyone else who would like to spread some great knowledge on the Tempe and surrounding areas.

Thank you !

6 Reply

191 views

Investor-friendly agents in Tempe, AZ

See the agents BiggerPockets members work with in Tempe, AZ.

Most Popular Reply

Joshua D.Pro Member

BiggerPockets Founder · HI · Member since 2008 · 16k+ posts · 5k+ votes

Hey @Hakeem Valles And welcome to our little corner on the net. Congrats on your first year in the league and an even bigger congrats for taking real control over your financial life. I still hear far too many stories of athletes not being responsible with the fruits of their labor.

We are here to help, so don't hesitate to utilize all the resources and tools available to you here on BiggerPockets. Otherwise, I do hope you'll help to spread the word about us -- feel free to let me know if there is anything we can do to help motivate your colleagues and friends.

Good luck with your investing.

Podcast Guest on Show #100

2 Reply

See this reply in the discussion

45 Replies

Jump to latestLatest

Sort by

Umar JavaidPro Member
BiggerPockets Support · São Paulo, São Paulo · Member since 2015 · 548 posts · 79 votes
9y
Welcome to BP @Hakeem Valles
0 Reply
James MasottiPro Member
Rental Property Investor · Washington Township, NJ · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 976 votes
9y
Welcome indeed @Hakeem Valles. BiggerPockets is definitely the place to be for connecting with real estate investors and you're in a great market there in Tempe. If you haven't had a chance I'd definitely listen to the BP Podcasts, you'll get all sorts of great info from there. If you're completely sure what you're looking to do in real estate yet have a read through the Ultimate Beginners Guide or any of the other BP Books. I've read a lot of the real estate books out there and honestly @Brandon Turner and @Joshua D. publish some of the best books on the topics that can be found.
Podcast Guest on Show #312
0 Reply
Gary Miller
Tempe, AZ · Member since 2014 · 2 posts · 0 votes
9y
Welcome Hakeem, the Tempe/Phoenix AZ area is prime for investing and rentals. I am an active investor in the area and come across properties that may help you meet your goals. Keep in touch. PM if interested in networking
0 Reply
Joshua D.Pro Member
BiggerPockets Founder · HI · Member since 2008 · 16k+ posts · 5k+ votes
9y
Hey @Hakeem Valles And welcome to our little corner on the net. Congrats on your first year in the league and an even bigger congrats for taking real control over your financial life. I still hear far too many stories of athletes not being responsible with the fruits of their labor.
We are here to help, so don't hesitate to utilize all the resources and tools available to you here on BiggerPockets. Otherwise, I do hope you'll help to spread the word about us -- feel free to let me know if there is anything we can do to help motivate your colleagues and friends.
Good luck with your investing.
Podcast Guest on Show #100
2 Reply
Doug McVinuaPro Member
Property Manager · Queen Creek, AZ · Member since 2016 · 608 posts · 426 votes
9y
@Hakeem Valles Welcome to Arizona and the world of Real Estate!
Tempe does well with rentals, geat location in the valley being close to ASU, the Airport, freeway access etc. Lots of great choices to make in the area!
Not everyone has the fortitude to deal with student housing, not sure how you feel about that topic?
Smart young man to be thinking of investing now so later in life you are a real estate magnate with many properties cash flowing that you can live a great life off!
Glad to answer any and all questions you have regarding AZ real estate, rentals in AZ etc.
[email protected]602-751-7577
0 Reply
Mark Nolan
Professional · Carlsbad, CA · Member since 2012 · 12k+ posts · 1k+ votes
9y
@Hakeem Valles
Welcome to Bigger Pockets. You are at the right place to learn about real estate investing.
0 Reply
Tom Killingsworth
Phoenix, AZ · Member since 2014 · 4 posts · 0 votes
9y
Hakeem,
Welcome to BP and Arizona. Joining BP is a great way to get started and learn. I would also recommend joining the AZ Real Estate Investor Association (AZREIA). There are monthly meetings, workshops, seminars, etc. Most are free for members and a good chance to network with other local investors. Good Luck!
0 Reply
Zack Niemeyer
Rental Property Investor · Phoenix, AZ · Member since 2016 · 23 posts · 11 votes
9y
Hakeem,
I have lived in 6 different houses all over Tempe over the past 6 years and I currently own 2 rental properties and am looking to acquire my 3rd this summer. I know the area very well so let me know of any questions you may have. I am always open to meet and talk about my experience as well. Tempe is an awesome area to invest!
0 Reply
Dmitriy Fomichenko
Solo 401k Expert · Anaheim Hills, CA · Member since 2012 · 18k+ posts · 6k+ votes
9y
@Hakeem Valles
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/
If you wish to tag someone in the conversation on the forum, type @ followed by their name and then select the name of that person which should appear below the comments box. He or she will be notified of being tagged so that the conversation will continue.
Wishing you the best!
0 Reply
Julie MarquezPro Member
Investor · Skagit County, WA · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 807 votes
9y
@Hakeem Valles Welcome to Bigger Pockets! I'm a rookie real estate investor, but when I grow up I want to be a professional athlete. Haha, I guess I'll just wait for the passive income to flow in and just work on my sport and recreation for fun. I highly recommend the podcasts!
0 Reply
John Mathewson
Developer · Hobart, IN · Member since 2014 · 773 posts · 225 votes
9y
@Hakeem Valles Welcome to the site! There is a ton of great information on here and some awesome connections. Stay active on here and network like crazy. Congrats on your success thus far.
0 Reply
Ryan Swan
Real Estate Agent · Phoenix, AZ · Member since 2012 · 640 posts · 457 votes
9y
@Hakeem Valles Welcome to Bigger Pockets, and to the Valley of the Sun! Tempe is a great city to both live and invest....I know because I lived there from 2004 through 2014, and bought my first rental there in 2004 as well! I still own and manage a few single family and one multi-family rental around the ASU campus. I'm also currently working on a big renovation project in Tempe as well.
0 Reply
Angel Rodriguez
Investor · Tucson, AZ · Member since 2016 · 16 posts · 11 votes
9y
Welcome to BP.
0 Reply
Hakeem Valles
OP
Rental Property Investor · Clifton, NJ · Member since 2016 · 43 posts · 60 votes
9y
@JamesMasotti thank you. It's a small world, I am originally from Winslow Twp. I have read through The Ultimate Beginner's Guide and I am currently finishing up @Brandon Turner's book on Rental Properties. When I get back to New Jersey, it would be great to link up with you.
1 Reply
Shiloh LundahlPro Member
Rental Property Investor · Gilbert, AZ · Member since 2016 · 3k+ posts · 4k+ votes
9y
Hello @Hakeem Valles. I want to echo the welcome by other BP members and the complements on taking control of your finances as a professional athlete. About 7 years ago or so I read an article called "How (and Why) Athletes Go Broke by Pablo S. Torre where he goes into detail about the mismanagement of money by athletes until all their money is gone. I had the kids at the group home I worked at read this article to help them increase their financial education. So congrats to you on starting this exciting journey.
There are many investors in Arizona who have had success with rental properties in the Phoenix Valley. Depending upon how involved you want to be in the process, whether you want to buy turn key properties (ones that are already fixed up and ready for renters), or buy fixer uppers and get involved in the whole process, or partner up with investors who coordinate the deals and then manage the properties, will help guide you in networking with the investors who can help my meet your goals.
My wife and I have mostly done flips in the East Valley for the past 2 years but now we are starting to get buy and hold properties for cash flow. Let us know if we can be of help to you in your journey.
Good luck.
480-206-1209 Podcast Guest on Show #287
1 Reply
Anthony Kurth
Investor · Scottsdale, AZ · Member since 2016 · 15 posts · 2 votes
9y
Hi, my name is Anthony Kurth and I am a local real estate developer in Arizona. We are always looking for partners on SFR projects and small subdivisions. Let me know if you are interested in discussing further.
0 Reply
Dalton Kiley
Real Estate Agent · Scottsdale, AZ · Member since 2016 · 53 posts · 10 votes
9y
Hi @Hakeem Valles, welcome to BiggerPockets - one of the best places to start your REI career! First, I want to congratulate you on your achievement for making the NFL and playing for the Arizona Cardinals. Looking forward to seeing you dominate as our TE next year! It's awesome that you are getting into real estate investing this early. I'm actually in the same boat as you are because I just recently started REI on my own as well. Although, I've been helping my family on and off with their fix & flips since 2012 while I was in college so I'm not new in this industry.
0 Reply
Jamie Harvey
Real Estate Agent · Tempe, AZ · Member since 2015 · 2 posts · 0 votes
9y
Hi @Hakeem Valles,
Great to have you in the Tempe area. I'm an active real estate investor here in the valley and currently live in Tempe. Our firm focuses primarily in the Arcadia and Central Phoenix area doing new construction and land development. However, we have done several flips in Tempe over the past 3 years.
0 Reply
Michael Wu
Queens, NY · Member since 2017 · 43 posts · 7 votes
9y
Good luck Hakeem! Real estate is getting really popular for everyone. If you keep getting at it, you will do well in life later on. Congrats on the NFL! Im still a fresh walk on at my school for running back :/ Anyways, good luck.
0 Reply
Odie Ayaga
Specialist · Delran, NJ · Member since 2016 · 2k+ posts · 951 votes
9y
Welcome @Hakeem Valles! You're in a great situation having a potentially lucrative career in a potentially hot market! I believe Serge Shukhat is in your area and is one of the hallowed triple podcast guests :). Check out podcasts 60, 131 and 152.
1 Reply
James MasottiPro Member
Rental Property Investor · Washington Township, NJ · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 976 votes
9y
Originally posted by @Hakeem Valles:

@JamesMasotti thank you. It's a small world, I am originally from Winslow Twp. I have read through The Ultimate Beginner's Guide and I am currently finishing up @Brandon Turner's book on Rental Properties. When I get back to New Jersey, it would be great to link up with you.
Definitely let me know when you're back in town, It would be great to hear first hand how real estate is going for you.
Podcast Guest on Show #312
0 Reply
Hakeem Valles
OP
Rental Property Investor · Clifton, NJ · Member since 2016 · 43 posts · 60 votes
9y
@Joshua D. Thank you! And I think I speak for everyone when I say thank you for putting this together. I feel that there is no other industry or portal where everyone genuinely wants to help each other. I agree with you wholeheartedly when it comes to professional athletes being careless with their money and I truly believe real estate is the right vehicle for me to take control.
That sounds great, I won't hesitate to reach out if i need help motivating some colleagues of mine. I have teammates I have discussed my Real Estate goals with and it seems that they would be interested on investing on a future deal with me. In your opinion do you think I should get my feet wet first and at least get a deal under my belt first before reapproaching them? Thanks again.
0 Reply
Hakeem Valles
OP
Rental Property Investor · Clifton, NJ · Member since 2016 · 43 posts · 60 votes
9y
@Doug McVinua Thank you for reaching out. That sounds great. I do believe I have the resilience to deal with student housing but I don't know if I'm sold on it, my question with that is during the three months in the summer, are the local landlords renting these properties out short term for vacation-ers, or do these units stay vacant until the students come back in town ?
0 Reply
Hakeem Valles
OP
Rental Property Investor · Clifton, NJ · Member since 2016 · 43 posts · 60 votes
9y
@Tom Killingsworth Thank you! I will get on joining AZREIA ASAP. It will be great to network with some like-minded individuals. Hopefully we meet along the way.
0 Reply
Hakeem Valles
OP
Rental Property Investor · Clifton, NJ · Member since 2016 · 43 posts · 60 votes
9y
@Dmitriy Fomichenko Thank you for showing me some of the ins and outs of how to navigate around here !
0 Reply

Join the conversationCreate a free account to reply, vote on answers and follow this thread.