Military Newbie from Albany, NY area

[Colin Peffley]

Hello Bigger Pockets!  My name is Colin and I am currently living just north of Saratoga Springs, NY.  I am currently in the US Navy, and am at the point in real estate that I just started feeling comfortable enough with the lingo to start analyzing different deals, for practice, off Zillow (newbie).  I have started looking into the buy and hold markets of Troy, Schenectady, and Glens Falls.

I recently went to Greece and had such an amazing experience that it completely changed my view on life.  My overall goal for investing is to earn enough passive income so that I do not need to "work", therefore enabling me to travel and see the world.  I want to be able to just pickup and go, whenever and for however long I want.  In the past, I viewed this sort of lifestyle as just a pipe dream. After the trip to Greece and the technology that enables investing in RE anywhere, it seems that my dream life style can actually be achievable.

I am currently working on my 12 year buisiness plan (how much longer I have in the Navy until I can retire), with the goal of not having to get a "job" when I get out. Im not opposed to then becoming the property manager of my properties, and actually think I would enjoy it (most days of course). I think house hacking is genious, but I will be transferring to Groton, CT at the end of the year and therefore will not be able to hack that way. Instead, I actually plan to convert a bus to live in, eliminating the need to pay rent or a mortgage (kind of hacking it).

I would like to give a shout out to @Joshua Dorkin, @Brandon Turner, and of course @David Greene for a great podcast which led me to bigger pockets and the motivation to follow my dreams. Brandon's books were great (I had to buy the paperback hardcopies after listening to it on audible just so I could continue referencing the material), and after halfway, David's book is just as great (hardcopy in the mail now).

I look forward to utilizing all the resources on this website, starting with the webinar tonight, the connections that can be made, and of course sharing my experience and lessons learned.

- Colin  

@David Greene

[Brandon L.]

Hello! @Colin Peffley

Welcome to BP, and congratulations on making the decision to invest in your future via real estate.

I have written a few blog posts that may help you get started here on BP, and with your investing. Please click on the links, give them a read, and share your thoughts in the comments.

First is a post that I feel will help not get overwhelmed with the amount of info that is here on BP:

https://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/5868/52761-the-simple-guide-to-getting-started-on-bp

The second is a post that will help get you focused with your real estate investing goals:

https://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/5868/52743-im-new-to-bp-any-advice-would-be-appriciated

The last one is a post that will help you choose an “investor friendly” real estate agent. There are many agents out there, but it’s important to choose the right one.

https://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/5868/52724-im-new-to-investing-how-do-i-find-an-investor-friendly-agent

I love answering questions if you have any! Good Luck :)