San Francisco Bay Area Investor Introduction : Ryan Lawler

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San Francisco Bay Area Investor Introduction : Ryan Lawler

Ryan L.
San Francisco, CA · Member since 2019 · 5 posts · 3 votes

Hey all!

I am a new investor to the real estate industry and am looking to get my feet wet with Long Distance Real Estate Investing. I am 24 years old and am working in the tech industry in the SF Bay Area. One of my goals is to build generational wealth for my family and I believe that is best accomplished through real estate buy and hold. I am looking to leverage the extra cash I make from the wealthy Bay Area, as well as family connections that I am lucky to have.

Some of the initial areas I am targeting are

  • Phoenix, Arizona
  • Tulsa, Oklahoma
  • San Antonio, Texas

I have read through David Greene's Long Distance Real Estate Investing and am looking to read his other book Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat: The BRRRR Rental Property Investment Strategy Made Simple next. If you have any other suggestions for good reads, please let me know!

I am looking to create professional connections with everyone, regardless of the area you are in. 

  • I have been in the SF Bay Area for a long time and know the area well (went to school in Berkeley, live in San Francisco, work in South Bay) and can help provide any advice for those looking to invest here.
  • I also grew up in Southern California and have extensive knowledge of the Orange County area.

I am also looking for all recommendations and referrals from realtors to contractors.

Looking forward to meeting you!

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Maureen McCann
Specialist · Birmingham, AL · Member since 2014 · 81 posts · 68 votes
7y

@Ryan L. Welcome to BP! I'm also in CA and got into long-distance turnkey investing a long time ago - even then CA wasn't really a cashflow state! Of course, now that Im the cofounder of a turnkey provider in AL, I'm obviously a little biased lol BUT regardless of whether you're looking to go the turnkey route or a more DIY / BRRRR route, I'd add Birmingham and Huntsville AL to your list! Great prices, lots of business investments adding jobs and some amazing future-focused leadership pushing both cities forward.

Good luck!

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  • Account Closed
    Rental Property Investor · Oakland, CA · Member since 2014 · 730 posts · 1k+ votes
    7y

    If you want to create “generational wealth” look no further than your own backyard 

    3Reply
  • Mark Pedroza
    Real Estate Agent · Sacramento/Placer ~ San Francisco Bay Area counties · Member since 2012 · 1k+ posts · 743 votes
    7y

    Welcome @Ryan L.

    It's a new month and here's a link for upcoming real estate meetup's for the bay area

    :https://www.meetup.com/topics/...

    Good luck...

    2Reply
  • Michael Kay
    CA · Member since 2018 · 83 posts · 44 votes
    7y

    @Saj Shah what's your strategy?

    2Reply
  • Ryan L.
    OP
    San Francisco, CA · Member since 2019 · 5 posts · 3 votes
    7y

    @Account Closed Would be interested in investing in the Bay Area one day but right now the pricing is probably too steep for initial investments. I am also unsure if I will stay in the bay or move back to Southern California to be closer to family in the near future. How has your experience been investing in Oakland? I have always thought about purchasing in Berkeley.

    1Reply
  • Ryan L.
    OP
    San Francisco, CA · Member since 2019 · 5 posts · 3 votes
    7y

    @Mark Pedroza Thank you for the link, really appreciate it! Hope to see you at one of these meetups in the future.

    2Reply
  • Jeffrey Bower
    Member since 2019 · 94 posts · 50 votes
    7y
    Originally posted by @Ryan L.:

    @Account Closed Would be interested in investing in the Bay Area one day but right now the pricing is probably too steep for initial investments. I am also unsure if I will stay in the bay or move back to Southern California to be closer to family in the near future. How has your experience been investing in Oakland? I have always thought about purchasing in Berkeley.

    Similar experience (I live in San Mateo County). My own backyard? I haven't seen anything under $1 mill here.

    1Reply
  • Maureen McCann
    Specialist · Birmingham, AL · Member since 2014 · 81 posts · 68 votes
    7y

    @Ryan L. Welcome to BP! I'm also in CA and got into long-distance turnkey investing a long time ago - even then CA wasn't really a cashflow state! Of course, now that Im the cofounder of a turnkey provider in AL, I'm obviously a little biased lol BUT regardless of whether you're looking to go the turnkey route or a more DIY / BRRRR route, I'd add Birmingham and Huntsville AL to your list! Great prices, lots of business investments adding jobs and some amazing future-focused leadership pushing both cities forward.

    Good luck!

    3Reply
  • Ryan L.
    OP
    San Francisco, CA · Member since 2019 · 5 posts · 3 votes
    7y
    Originally posted by @Maureen McCann:

    @Ryan L. Welcome to BP! I'm also in CA and got into long-distance turnkey investing a long time ago - even then CA wasn't really a cashflow state! Of course, now that Im the cofounder of a turnkey provider in AL, I'm obviously a little biased lol BUT regardless of whether you're looking to go the turnkey route or a more DIY / BRRRR route, I'd add Birmingham and Huntsville AL to your list! Great prices, lots of business investments adding jobs and some amazing future-focused leadership pushing both cities forward.

    Good luck!

    I had always thought of Alabama as a little far for maintaining, but I recently heard that the single-family homes market in the South is still very strong right now. Will definitely need to check out those two cities.

    0Reply
  • Ryan L.
    OP
    San Francisco, CA · Member since 2019 · 5 posts · 3 votes
    7y

    After talking with a colleague from the Arizona area, it seems like Tempe is another location to keep an eye on as well. A huge college to support the rental environment as well as a growing economy from jobs flowing in.

    0Reply
  • Pamela Sandberg
    Realtor / Attorney · Phoenix, AZ · Member since 2018 · 388 posts · 265 votes
    7y

    Tempe definitely has a healthy rental market! Chandler and Gilbert have been exploding lately, as well. (Chandler is consistently on the list of American cities with the fastest-rising rents.) Happy to discuss the Phoenix market and answer any questions you have!

    1Reply
  • Doug McVinuaPro Member
    Property Manager · Queen Creek, AZ · Member since 2016 · 608 posts · 426 votes
    7y

    @Ryan L. I agree with @Pamela Sandberg re: Tempe, Chandler, and Gilbert and would even suggest extending a bit further to Maricopa, Queen Creek and parts of San Tan Valley. The outlying areas are more affordable and look to have a bright future.

    The Phoenix market continues to attract employment centers, some high tech, some financial, etc. Inbound population growth is in the thousands per month and rentals are in tight supply.

    Cash flow isn't great at the moment but over time most are performing very well. Appreciation has been strong and most of the houses in this area are newer with very reasonable maintenance.

    [email protected]602-751-7577
    1Reply
  • Stephanie Chiramberro
    Realtor · San Francisco, CA · Member since 2017 · 30 posts · 15 votes
    7y

    You have to make that decision on your own as there are a lot of great places to invest in. Think about your goals (cashflow vs. appreciation) and lifestyle (hands on vs. hands off). They say you can find a deal in your area if you drive out 2 hours. Do some research and peruse the BP forums to figure out what's best for you. Best of luck!

    0Reply
  • Dave DeMarinis
    Lender · Santa Rosa, CA · Member since 2017 · 283 posts · 255 votes
    7y

    @Maureen McCann on Huntsville in particular. I invest in California and Ohio because I’ve lived about half my life in each of them so I know them personally. Huntsville is the only market I chose based on the market dynamics alone and then I found some great people there which secured my commitment. Best of luck and time is on your side.

    0Reply
  • Blake Edwards
    Real Estate Agent · Brentwood, CA · Member since 2018 · 285 posts · 225 votes
    7y

    @Ryan L. - Welcome to BP, and congrats on the early stages of your rei career!  Since you commute to SF from the South Bay, have you looked into the East Bay at all?  There are still a lot of surprising opportunities out there.  The South Bay also has some opportunities to House Hack to get your feet wet as well as offset a huge portion of your mortgage.  I agree, the books by David are great and provide a great blueprint, but I am a bit biased ;)

    Let me know if you ever want to chat as we hold meetups in the Bay Area fairly regularly!

    Welcome again!

    0Reply
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