Spokane, WA - New to REI

[Sean Taylor]

Hi everyone - I've spent the past few weeks drinking from the BP fire hose and figured it was time to introduce myself.  My name is Sean and I'm new to real estate investing. I have a wife and five kids and we live in Spokane, WA. 

I've had an interest in real estate for many years now but it has always seemed beyond my reach. I grew up learning that if there were checks in the checkbook, there was money in the bank.  I spent the first 35 years of my life living that lie and it almost ruined my family.  I came across a beginner's book to real estate investing about five years ago, got a couple chapters in and realized, based on the suggestions in the book, I had no business investing in real estate...yet.  I needed to clean my house first.

After years of paying down our debt, changing our lifestyle...drastically..., learning how to budget, and educating myself financially, we're finally able to start saving and preparing to invest. 

I'm leaning towards the buy & hold strategy but realize after reading the forums, there are many strategies that can help solve our short and long-term goals as a family.  I currently work full time and will continue working, leveraging my salary to save, invest and repeat until those goals are met. 

Thankfully, I found Bigger Pockets and this great community to help me through my education and hopefully our first deal in the next year.  If there are any investors in the Spokane area who are interested in grabbing some coffee, let me know as I'm eager to meet more like-minded folks.

Cheers!

Sean

[Sean Taylor]

@Eric Ingram - thanks!  We love Spokane.  Moved up here almost 3 years ago from the Northern San Diego area and as much as we loved the weather there, we don't miss the traffic and overcrowding.  Love the 4 seasons here.

@Cody James Cressey - thanks for the encouragement.  I have been listening to both their podcasts for a couple weeks now - fantastic stuff!  Reading Brandon's Rental Property book at the moment.  Will let you all know how things progress.

@Tony F. - let me know next time you're out and I'd be happy to show you around.

@Justin Windham - thanks for all the information.  This is one of the reason I'm super excited about this community.