New here in Bigger Pockets! Looking for my 1st ever property!

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New here in Bigger Pockets! Looking for my 1st ever property!

Jean Santiago
New to Real Estate · Chino Hills CA · Member since 2019 · 95 posts · 24 votes

Hello! My name is Jean, 30yrs old, currently as an Registered Nurse in LA! Currently i live in the Chino Hills CA.

Here to learn how to purchase my 1st ever investment property in WestCovina Chino Hills Area. Goal is to acquire one beginning of next year! I'm looking into a single family home that i can house-hack, then planning to do the BRRRR strategy on it.

So, it would have to be a house that is under-market value, but since i'm new to the field, probably just cosmetic fixes and minor renovations would be ideal!! 

Been listening to a lot of podcasts and reading books, learning as much as i can, but i figured i need to really step out of my confort-zone and start doing something now!

So i'm here looking to connect with anyone near my area in the real estate investing field! So if anyone is near the LosAngeles/Chino/WestCovina/Anaheim/Ontario area, let's connect! 

Thank you and have a great day everyone!

Much excitement, 

Jean :)

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Most Popular Reply

Nick Rutkowski
Rental Property Investor · Ithaca, NY · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
6y
Originally posted by @Jean Santiago:

Hello! My name is Jean, 30yrs old, currently as an Registered Nurse in LA! Currently i live in the Chino Hills CA.

Here to learn how to purchase my 1st ever investment property in WestCovina Chino Hills Area. Goal is to acquire one beginning of next year! I'm looking into a single family home that i can house-hack, then planning to do the BRRRR strategy on it.

So, it would have to be a house that is under-market value, but since i'm new to the field, probably just cosmetic fixes and minor renovations would be ideal!! 

Been listening to a lot of podcasts and reading books, learning as much as i can, but i figured i need to really step out of my confort-zone and start doing something now!

So i'm here looking to connect with anyone near my area in the real estate investing field! So if anyone is near the LosAngeles/Chino/WestCovina/Anaheim/Ontario area, let's connect! 

Thank you and have a great day everyone!

Much excitement, 

Jean :)

 Hi Jean, welcome to BP! I'm from New York. You decided to get in to real estate at the right time as the economy is shutting down and there is uncertainty in the market. There are plenty of posts about the BRR strategy and the real estate transaction process. Check out the local forum posts and find your area. It's the easiest way to find people in your area. IMO. Also, feel free to reach out to me if you have questions, I'll do my best to help. 

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  • Nick Rutkowski
    Rental Property Investor · Ithaca, NY · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    6y
    Originally posted by @Jean Santiago:

    Hello! My name is Jean, 30yrs old, currently as an Registered Nurse in LA! Currently i live in the Chino Hills CA.

    Here to learn how to purchase my 1st ever investment property in WestCovina Chino Hills Area. Goal is to acquire one beginning of next year! I'm looking into a single family home that i can house-hack, then planning to do the BRRRR strategy on it.

    So, it would have to be a house that is under-market value, but since i'm new to the field, probably just cosmetic fixes and minor renovations would be ideal!! 

    Been listening to a lot of podcasts and reading books, learning as much as i can, but i figured i need to really step out of my confort-zone and start doing something now!

    So i'm here looking to connect with anyone near my area in the real estate investing field! So if anyone is near the LosAngeles/Chino/WestCovina/Anaheim/Ontario area, let's connect! 

    Thank you and have a great day everyone!

    Much excitement, 

    Jean :)

     Hi Jean, welcome to BP! I'm from New York. You decided to get in to real estate at the right time as the economy is shutting down and there is uncertainty in the market. There are plenty of posts about the BRR strategy and the real estate transaction process. Check out the local forum posts and find your area. It's the easiest way to find people in your area. IMO. Also, feel free to reach out to me if you have questions, I'll do my best to help. 

    1Reply
  • Whitney HuttenPro Member
    Investor · Boulder, CO · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    6y

    @Jean Santiago Welcome!  Be sure to comb the forums and realtor's list here and find one that is investor savvy to help you get that househack!

    At the same time, I'd start learning to run your numbers. You might find that your area doesn't work well for BRRRR investing (I coach many in your area... and they've all decided to move to out of state investing as the numbers just don't work in SoCal).

    PM me with Q's!

    Podcast Guest on Show How to Build Generational Wealth Without Losing it Along the Way
    0Reply
  • Jean Santiago
    OP
    New to Real Estate · Chino Hills CA · Member since 2019 · 95 posts · 24 votes
    6y

    Thank you Ms. Whitney Houston and Mr. Nick! 

    And also for Ms. Whitney, i just recently started learning more about the BRRRR Strategy and i am realizing that the prices here in socal really don't work for brrrr at all, so you are totally right :(

    I starting doing rough drafts of the numbers for houses here, and even if i find a property that's "under-market value", the numbers really still dont make sense unfortunately. The prices are too high! :( 

    So right now i am actually looking into investing in Jacksonville, Florida instead. I don't know much about Florida (only been out there 4 times) but my dad actually lives there and i know prices are a lot lower then here in Socal forsure! So, that might actually be my first step! :)

    0Reply
  • Carlos Villalobos
    Los Angeles · Member since 2020 · 88 posts · 36 votes
    6y

    Welcome to BP family @Jean Santiago.

    This is a great place to learn and network. I also live in Los Angeles and will either BRRRR or HH my first property. I am looking out of state as well.

    Best wishes on your success. 

    0Reply
  • Jean Santiago
    OP
    New to Real Estate · Chino Hills CA · Member since 2019 · 95 posts · 24 votes
    6y

    Hey Carlos! Thank you! And i see you're from El Monte? I used to live in West Covina! 

    Any luck on potentional properties here in our area? I've been looking at our market and there's not much in WestCo/Chino/BP/El Monte area =/ 

    A lot of the ones i see listed so far, most of them are Renovated or mostly renovated already. I think we should probably work with wholesalers!

    0Reply
  • Nabil SuleimanBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2016 · 596 posts · 299 votes
    6y

    @Jean Santiago

    Hi Jean, 

    Welcome to BP, I would usually mention meetups we one of the best resources to meet likeminded people, but until the restrictions of meeting in groups is lifted it would likely be digital education and some have made zoom meetups a thing now. Thank you for being on the front lines as a nurse, and let me know if there’s anything real estate wise I could do to help. 

    [email protected]661-904-1725
    Atlas Elm | Nabil Suleiman4.47 Reviews
    WebsiteView Page
    0Reply
  • Jean Santiago
    OP
    New to Real Estate · Chino Hills CA · Member since 2019 · 95 posts · 24 votes
    6y
    Originally posted by @Carlos Villalobos:

    Welcome to BP family @Jean Santiago.

    This is a great place to learn and network. I also live in Los Angeles and will either BRRRR or HH my first property. I am looking out of state as well.

    Best wishes on your success. 

    Hey Carlos! Thank you! And i see you're from El Monte? I used to live in West Covina!

    Any luck on potentional properties here in our area? I've been looking at our market and there's not much in WestCo/Chino/BP/El Monte area =/

    A lot of the ones i see listed so far, most of them are Renovated or mostly renovated already. I think we should probably work with wholesalers!

    0Reply
  • Jean Santiago
    OP
    New to Real Estate · Chino Hills CA · Member since 2019 · 95 posts · 24 votes
    6y
    Originally posted by @Whitney Hutten:

    @Jean Santiago Welcome!  Be sure to comb the forums and realtor's list here and find one that is investor savvy to help you get that househack!

    At the same time, I'd start learning to run your numbers. You might find that your area doesn't work well for BRRRR investing (I coach many in your area... and they've all decided to move to out of state investing as the numbers just don't work in SoCal).

    PM me with Q's!

    Thank you Ms. Whitney Houston and Mr. Nick!

    And also for Ms. Whitney, i just recently started learning more about the BRRRR Strategy and i am realizing that the prices here in socal really don't work for brrrr at all, so you are totally right :(

    I starting doing rough drafts of the numbers for houses here, and even if i find a property that's "under-market value", the numbers really still dont make sense unfortunately. The prices are too high! :(

    So right now i am actually looking into investing in Jacksonville, Florida instead. I don't know much about Florida (only been out there 4 times) but my dad actually lives there and i know prices are a lot lower then here in Socal forsure! So, that might actually be my first step! :)

    0Reply
  • Jean Santiago
    OP
    New to Real Estate · Chino Hills CA · Member since 2019 · 95 posts · 24 votes
    6y
    Originally posted by @Nick Rutkowski:
    Originally posted by @Jean Santiago:

    Hello! My name is Jean, 30yrs old, currently as an Registered Nurse in LA! Currently i live in the Chino Hills CA.

    Here to learn how to purchase my 1st ever investment property in WestCovina Chino Hills Area. Goal is to acquire one beginning of next year! I'm looking into a single family home that i can house-hack, then planning to do the BRRRR strategy on it.

    So, it would have to be a house that is under-market value, but since i'm new to the field, probably just cosmetic fixes and minor renovations would be ideal!! 

    Been listening to a lot of podcasts and reading books, learning as much as i can, but i figured i need to really step out of my confort-zone and start doing something now!

    So i'm here looking to connect with anyone near my area in the real estate investing field! So if anyone is near the LosAngeles/Chino/WestCovina/Anaheim/Ontario area, let's connect! 

    Thank you and have a great day everyone!

    Much excitement, 

    Jean :)

     Hi Jean, welcome to BP! I'm from New York. You decided to get in to real estate at the right time as the economy is shutting down and there is uncertainty in the market. There are plenty of posts about the BRR strategy and the real estate transaction process. Check out the local forum posts and find your area. It's the easiest way to find people in your area. IMO. Also, feel free to reach out to me if you have questions, I'll do my best to help. 

    Hi! Thank you so much! I've been reading the newbie forums (i know i'm such a rookie haha), and i'm really getting a ton of info! Plus everyone here in BP is very responsive which i really appreciate, so thank you!

    0Reply
  • Jean Santiago
    OP
    New to Real Estate · Chino Hills CA · Member since 2019 · 95 posts · 24 votes
    6y
    Originally posted by @Nabil Suleiman:

    @Jean Santiago

    Hi Jean, 

    Welcome to BP, I would usually mention meetups we one of the best resources to meet likeminded people, but until the restrictions of meeting in groups is lifted it would likely be digital education and some have made zoom meetups a thing now. Thank you for being on the front lines as a nurse, and let me know if there’s anything real estate wise I could do to help. 

     Hello! And thank you, all hospitals and all of us are really advising everyone to stay home as much as possible for safety! 

    Also, i was actually browsing here in BP for the meetups near my area, but yeah until restrictions are up, i'll stay here on the site for now :) 

    I saw on your bio that you help host a meet-up in Pasadena? I'd love to attend in the future! 

    0Reply
  • Carlos Villalobos
    Los Angeles · Member since 2020 · 88 posts · 36 votes
    6y
    Yes I am. I plan on using the BRRRR strategy (almost done reading BRRRR by David Greene). I am analyzing deals daily to find the right property. Looking for properties in the IE.
    If I am find a property in the SGV that is renovated and a great deal I will HH it.
    I personally will wait before I work with a wholesaler so I can gain more experience. I am considering out of state as well.
    0Reply
  • Marlen Weber
    Specialist · Plano, TX · Member since 2020 · 2k+ posts · 861 votes
    6y

    @Jean Santiago It sounds like you are taking all the right steps to properly and successfully invest on a property soon. Good luck to you on your investing journey. Keep up the great work. 

    0Reply
  • Jean Santiago
    OP
    New to Real Estate · Chino Hills CA · Member since 2019 · 95 posts · 24 votes
    6y
    Originally posted by @Marlen Weber:

    @Jean Santiago It sounds like you are taking all the right steps to properly and successfully invest on a property soon. Good luck to you on your investing journey. Keep up the great work. 

    Thank you so much!! Learning a lot here on Bigger Pockets! 

    Have a great day!

    0Reply
  • Nabil SuleimanBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2016 · 596 posts · 299 votes
    6y

    @Jean Santiago

    We would love to have you once the meetups are back up. 

    [email protected]661-904-1725
    Atlas Elm | Nabil Suleiman4.47 Reviews
    WebsiteView Page
    0Reply
  • Jean Santiago
    OP
    New to Real Estate · Chino Hills CA · Member since 2019 · 95 posts · 24 votes
    6y
    Originally posted by @Nabil Suleiman:

    @Jean Santiago

    We would love to have you once the meetups are back up. 

     Thank you!! Have a great week and stay safe! 

    0Reply
  • Carolyn Morales
    Investor · Jacksonville, FL · Member since 2015 · 504 posts · 217 votes
    6y

    @Jean Santiago

    I have been in Jax area since 1975 and I have 29 years USPS and am also an investor. Feel free to reach out for my intel. My inbox would be empty if I didnt know Jacksonville Florida intel.

    0Reply
  • Whitney HuttenPro Member
    Investor · Boulder, CO · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    6y

    @Jean Santiago I like Jacksonville!  Great metrics.  Your next step is to build a plan around your investment strategy and goals, then pick a market (sounds like you have a good start), and then once you settle on a market based on data, start building your team and filling your funnel :)

    Podcast Guest on Show How to Build Generational Wealth Without Losing it Along the Way
    1Reply
  • Aaron Weiler
    Rental Property Investor · San Diego, CA · Member since 2019 · 8 posts · 3 votes
    6y

    Hey Jean, 

    I (selfishly) think you are on the right track because I am on the exact same path. I too live in Southern California and my parents, like you, live in Jacksonville. I have been looking around at neighborhoods and different property types and I would be very interested to share the data that we have both come up with. For us, OOS investing is definitely the answer. I currently own a condo in Chicago that cash flows so I do have some experience in that regard. 

    Cheers!

    0Reply
  • Tom Ott
    Equity Raiser and Turnkey Provider · Cleveland, OH · Member since 2016 · 4k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    6y
    Originally posted by @Jean Santiago:

    Hello! My name is Jean, 30yrs old, currently as an Registered Nurse in LA! Currently i live in the Chino Hills CA.

    Here to learn how to purchase my 1st ever investment property in WestCovina Chino Hills Area. Goal is to acquire one beginning of next year! I'm looking into a single family home that i can house-hack, then planning to do the BRRRR strategy on it.

    So, it would have to be a house that is under-market value, but since i'm new to the field, probably just cosmetic fixes and minor renovations would be ideal!! 

    Been listening to a lot of podcasts and reading books, learning as much as i can, but i figured i need to really step out of my confort-zone and start doing something now!

    So i'm here looking to connect with anyone near my area in the real estate investing field! So if anyone is near the LosAngeles/Chino/WestCovina/Anaheim/Ontario area, let's connect! 

    Thank you and have a great day everyone!

    Much excitement, 

    Jean :)

     Hello and welcome! best of luck to you! 

    0Reply
  • Yezenia Hernandez
    Member since 2019 · 38 posts · 13 votes
    6y

    @Jean Santiago I replied to you in another thread but just want to say hi officially! I too am an RN, living in Chino Hills, and planning to invest OOS, thinking of going with a turnkey company because at this point in my life I don't have the flexibility to go out an learn about an OOS market. I own my home in CH and I sorta househacked in that my house came with a permitted ADU, so I rented that out for a few years. The tax benefits are amazing and thankfully I have had two excellent tennants, so no huge problems. I'd love to connect!

    0Reply
  • Jean Santiago
    OP
    New to Real Estate · Chino Hills CA · Member since 2019 · 95 posts · 24 votes
    6y
    Originally posted by @Yezenia Hernandez:

    @Jean Santiago I replied to you in another thread but just want to say hi officially! I too am an RN, living in Chino Hills, and planning to invest OOS, thinking of going with a turnkey company because at this point in my life I don't have the flexibility to go out an learn about an OOS market. I own my home in CH and I sorta househacked in that my house came with a permitted ADU, so I rented that out for a few years. The tax benefits are amazing and thankfully I have had two excellent tennants, so no huge problems. I'd love to connect!

    Hello! And yes i saw your other message also! Thanks for the reply! And cool we're neighbors :) 

    And congrats on your house here in CH, also, what's a permitted ADU? And how was your process househacking and what kind of tax benefits did you have? I'd love to learn all these things because i'm actually planning on buying a house by next year already! :)

    Thank you!!

    0Reply
  • Jean Santiago
    OP
    New to Real Estate · Chino Hills CA · Member since 2019 · 95 posts · 24 votes
    6y
    Originally posted by @Tom Ott:
    Originally posted by @Jean Santiago:

    Hello! My name is Jean, 30yrs old, currently as an Registered Nurse in LA! Currently i live in the Chino Hills CA.

    Here to learn how to purchase my 1st ever investment property in WestCovina Chino Hills Area. Goal is to acquire one beginning of next year! I'm looking into a single family home that i can house-hack, then planning to do the BRRRR strategy on it.

    So, it would have to be a house that is under-market value, but since i'm new to the field, probably just cosmetic fixes and minor renovations would be ideal!! 

    Been listening to a lot of podcasts and reading books, learning as much as i can, but i figured i need to really step out of my confort-zone and start doing something now!

    So i'm here looking to connect with anyone near my area in the real estate investing field! So if anyone is near the LosAngeles/Chino/WestCovina/Anaheim/Ontario area, let's connect! 

    Thank you and have a great day everyone!

    Much excitement, 

    Jean :)

     Hello and welcome! best of luck to you! 

     Thank you!! 

    0Reply
  • Jean Santiago
    OP
    New to Real Estate · Chino Hills CA · Member since 2019 · 95 posts · 24 votes
    6y
    Originally posted by @Whitney Hutten:

    @Jean Santiago I like Jacksonville!  Great metrics.  Your next step is to build a plan around your investment strategy and goals, then pick a market (sounds like you have a good start), and then once you settle on a market based on data, start building your team and filling your funnel :)

     Thank you for the pointers! And yes, i think connecting with a team there (realtors, contractors, lenders) is one of the first steps i need to do! I'm just really happy because everyone here on BP is very responsive, so thank you so much!!

    0Reply
  • Jean Santiago
    OP
    New to Real Estate · Chino Hills CA · Member since 2019 · 95 posts · 24 votes
    6y
    Originally posted by @Aaron Weiler:

    Hey Jean, 

    I (selfishly) think you are on the right track because I am on the exact same path. I too live in Southern California and my parents, like you, live in Jacksonville. I have been looking around at neighborhoods and different property types and I would be very interested to share the data that we have both come up with. For us, OOS investing is definitely the answer. I currently own a condo in Chicago that cash flows so I do have some experience in that regard. 

    Cheers!

    Your parents are in Jacksonville too? Cool! Glad to know i'm not alone on this path! Have you been out there in Jacksonville? From what i noticed driving around the neighborhoods, it seems like a lot of the homes just needs polishing, and what's great is that the properties are sitting on so much land! And yes, i'd be interested in talking more to see what we can find out there, also maybe start looking for teams there (realtors, contractors,)! 

    And congrats on your property in Chicago! That's awesome that you already have experience in OOS investing! When did you acquire the Chicago condo? :) 

    0Reply
  • Peter S.
    Attorney · Miami, FL · Member since 2017 · 108 posts · 113 votes
    6y

    Welcome to Florida investing, @Jean Santiago. Im in Miami, but I invest in central Florida. I'll be watching this thread to see what you come up with in the Jacksonville area.  

    0Reply
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