Newbie from Columbia, South Carolina

[Jason Hitchcox]

Hey ya'll from Columbia, SC. I am sooo grateful for BP, you have no idea... but I'll try to express.

First, a bit about myself. My real name is Jason Hitchcox and I am 47 years young. I am a South Carolina resident of 12 years and love it. Originally from Lafayette, Indiana, I am a Purdue grad, although a late bloomer. I spent a 4 year term in the Air Force immediately after high school and then worked 5 years in a factory job before I wised up and went to college, graduating in 1994. Since then I've worked as an electrical engineer for the past 18 years at a number of different companies. I finally had enough of desk jobs and the corporate world, and an opportunity to do something different arose, so I jumped. November 2012 I quite my engineering career to start my REI career and started my own business.

The reason that I chose REI as my new career is because I have experience in home repair/rehab going all the way back to when I was about 16 years old, and on-and-off through the years; it is something that I greatly enjoy and I wanted to do it full-time. Nonetheless, this is a big leap of faith for me because I am a newbie to the REI and business world, and I really need ya'll's help!

About 10 years ago I became a real estate agent on the side, but quickly realized that part-time effort wouldn't allow success, so that didn't last very long - I didn't do a single deal.

I look forward to the rehab work and doing as much of it myself as possible. My initial goal is to acquire enough various rental properties for passive income that it replaces the income I was making as an engineer. I am in the process of counter-offering in my first deal in Columbia, SC - I presently live in Union, SC but I am planning to move back to Columbia this year, which is why I am focusing REI upon the Columbia area.

It is all of the "business stuff" that has me a bit bewildered. Also all the active income strategies that I've been hearing about is pretty scary to me. I am smart enough to know that my biggest problem is a lack of knowledge, which is why I am so happy to have found BP. I need your help, I want to learn and I am very humble, so you will not offend me with anything.

I attended a Fortune Builders "Insider's Summit" 3-day seminar last weekend and I was almost convinced to join their Mastery program, but $25k was just way too steep, especially considering my thoughts of their "flip this house" shows, but my ignorance of the business-end of REI had me seriously considering them. During my researching them on the internet I stumbled across BP and I am sooo thankful to be here among so much experience and so many experts

[Brandon Turner]

Welcome Jason Hitchcox! I think you definitely have the right idea. Those expensive coaching programs probably work - but I fully 100% believe BiggerPockets can do the same for free. The coaching programs have 2 things going for them:

1.) Education
2.) Accountability

Sometimes, though - their education can be outdated and flat out stupid (I don't know about Fortune Builders - I'm just talking in general.) And the accountability? You can get the same here in the Forums. Ask any question, any time, and you'll get answers from seasoned investors all across the country (and world.) It's really great and I'm honored to be part of it here.

To get you started - be sure to be a common face in the forums. Get to know people and let them get to know you. Ask about potential deals, negotiations, repairs, math, whatever. Seriously - lay it all out and get the opinion of those who have come before. I wish I had done more of that - then I wouldn't have made some of the stupid mistakes that I did.

I firmly believe BiggerPockets has more information (for free) than all the guru courses in all history - plus the interactions here on the forums. Be sure to check the BiggerPockets Blog daily and follow BP on Facebook, Twitter, G+, LinkedIn, or whatever other social network you have!

Finally - set up some Keyword Alerts for some terms that you want to be notified about when they are mentioned in the forums. It's a great way to stay connected with the things you care about.

Welcome!

[Andrew Massaro]

Jason Hitchcox

BP is [b][u]the online resource for all things REI... second to none. It is mandatory that all my students join and utilize the vast amounts of information located on this site.

As an REI mentor, I'm obviously a big proponent of coaching. I know I wouldn't be where I'm at today without my coach. IMO, the biggest value in coaching is a coach will require you to act. Where as on your own, many will simply digest book after book, and seminar after seminar... without ever putting that info to use.

But, to each their own.

Good luck to you. And, if there is anything I can help you with, don't be afraid to PM me.