Trigger happy beginner

[Herman Chen]

Hi BP Community!  I'm very happy to be a part of BP.  I'm new to the BP forums and have been catching up on the Podcasts, which are awesome.  I'm 36 years old and just changed my career to real estate.  I am working as a home inspector in north NJ and training to be an appraiser.  I'm hoping to draw on the BP community's experiences to get started on investing and one day be experienced enough myself to pay it back and help others.  

I'm wondering what experienced investors would do in my current position.  After doing a lot of research, I am too excited to jump in, but I want to be smart about it and avoid being impulsive like my first purchase in 2008.  I'm looking for a passive, low-risk income

EXPERIENCE: Very Little.  I have a few properties that I bought as I moved around for my career, before any knowledge about real estate investing.  My first unit is across the river from NYC in NJ, which I bought in 2008.  And up to now still paying money into it every month, even with a tenant.  I also have two units in China, which have appreciated about 300-400%, mostly because of a real estate friend who suggested them to me.  

PRESENT: Once my NJ unit is paid off in 5 years, it will net me $1000/mo.  The units in China now would sell for approximately 300k and 400k today, and appreciating.

I want to buy properties to Buy and Hold to secure a steady income and wholesale properties, either concurrently or after gaining some experience from Buy and Hold properties.

Thanks to everyone taking the time to read this post and thanks to everyone who has already contributed to this amazing community.  

[Jim D.]

Welcome! Sounds to me like your first move should be to sell your NJ rental and invest the proceeds somewhere more profitable. Don't sink money into it for 5 more years if that equity could instead be sending money to you for the next 5 years.