Greetings from Atlanta, GA! A very determined 25 year old...

Greetings from Atlanta, GA! A very determined 25 year old...

Investor · Austin, TX · Member since 2013 · 4 posts · 0 votes

Hello everyone!

My name's Douglas Goree and I currently reside in the great city of Atlanta, Georgia. I've been dabbling with real estate for a few years now (due to my father's part time involvement in the market), nothing ever serious though just learning common concepts and what not. But I decided to finally take the giant leap forward to make this my full time profession. I plan on making my first investment within the next 3 weeks of this post.

I've had many jobs in the past but quite frankly, being a college dropout (with student loans) doesn't give you that many options when it comes to 'being a success' working for others. I've always had the entrepreneur mindset and the big dreams that come with it. I've tried many other ways in the past to make money (online, pyramid schemes, get rich quick methods, stocks, you name it) and because of it, have come across even more debts to accompany my student loans... I've learned from these mistakes and don't see them as failures but signs that those methods just weren't for me. As I said earlier, I've been exposed to real estate since 2008 but never took it seriously as a way to build long term wealth.

I have set a goal for myself and more importantly a date to make this work. I don't think I've ever been as confident in building a real, sustainable, PROFITABLE business as I am with real estate investing. Like I said, I've tried EVERYTHING in the past to make money only to come more debt ridden from it. I never post in forums but because of the commitment that I've made to myself and to making this work, I'm doing everything I possibly can! That includes making contacts, meeting like minded investors and individuals, and getting as much support as I can.

I look forward to meeting as many of you guys as possible for support, knowledge, guidance, and of course, FRIENDSHIP! :-) So please comment on this post with any information that you may have for me or if you just want a new friend in the real estate industry!

Talk Soon,
- Douglas G.

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  • Investor · Austin, TX · Member since 2013 · 4 posts · 0 votes
    13y

    *P.S. I plan on making this site the 'Facebook' of my real estate ventures, meaning that I'll be posting almost every day of what I'm doing in regards to my progression in real estate investing. The ultimate goal of this is support and to make sure I don't slack myself!

    Three weeks from this post, I WILL make my first investment. Count on it! :-)

  • Joshua D.Pro Member
    BiggerPockets Founder · HI · Member since 2008 · 16k+ posts · 5k+ votes
    13y

    Douglas Goree - I love the enthusiasm and commitment to getting started, but I will caution you not to rush things. Buying real estate isn't like getting a car. There are many more factors at play, and many more ways for you to get yourself into trouble.

    That said, setting goals for yourself is an awesome thing to do. I hope you make your deadline, but caution you to make sure you're ready.

    It is great that you've decided to make BiggerPockets your Facebook for real estate (CBS News actually called us that), and I urge you to ask as many questions as you can to help you prepare.

    Meanwhile, please take some time to read our Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Real Estate Investing, as you'll find the info and links contained within it to be invaluable.

    Let us know how we can help you be successful and welcome to the community!

  • Atlanta, GA · Member since 2012 · 93 posts · 30 votes
    13y

    Douglas Goree I commend your commitment to working hard to achieve your goal!

    What is your plan of action and what avenue of RE investing are you planning on attacking. (wholesaling, buy and hold, buy fix sell)

  • Investor · Austin, TX · Member since 2013 · 4 posts · 0 votes
    13y

    Joshua Dorkin Thanks so much for the reply! I'm actually going through the beginner's guide now and am already learning so much. REI is something that I DEFINITELY do not plan on doing myself. One of the major problems that I've had in the past was not accepting help when I needed it. I've always tried to tackle things on my own and have endured the consequences (some good, many bad...).
    Another thing I'm doing differently is TELLING OTHERS about my plans this time. Not only for support along the way (to catch myself just in case I do rush on something) but to be held responsible for actually GETTING IT DONE since others expect me too now. Even though I haven't gotten many responses yet, the fact that I stated my goals publicly makes me feel like I'm not alone in this.

    Again, thanks so much for the quick and personal response! You definitely get a sense that you're in the right place when the CEO replies on your first post!

  • Joshua D.Pro Member
    BiggerPockets Founder · HI · Member since 2008 · 16k+ posts · 5k+ votes
    13y

    Douglas Goree - Saying it out loud definitely helps keep you accountable . . . I just want you to be careful. Use us your team of thousands of mentors whenever you need us.

    Otherwise, I try to welcome everyone who joins, but I don't always get to. It is important that BiggerPockets feels like a welcoming place to folks; thanks for noticing! Please be sure to spread the word about the site, and again, don't hesitate to get involved.

  • Investor · Austin, TX · Member since 2013 · 4 posts · 0 votes
    13y

    Gordon T. Thanks for replying and for your commendation!

    The first step was joining a respected REI community like biggerpockets, making my presence known here, and meeting as many like minded entrepreneurs as I can. Networking and involvement was very important to me the moment I decided to make this a full time thing.

    I was THIS close to purchasing a $197 membership to another site and am SO glad that I didn't. In fact, one of the very first topics covered in the beginner's guide here was falling for the gurus. And it made me realize that that's what I've been doing my whole life...

    The next was covering the basics of REI all over again - starting with the site's beginner guide. I'm already about half way through it and a lot has come back to me. I plan to have my first investment deal within the next three weeks. Not because I'm in a rush to make money, but I personally feel that this is the ONLY way that I'll make this work out - by pushing myself with a short time limit. I know myself and my habit of procrastination, so the time limit along with being held accountable by others makes for a lot of work on my part.

    In the next five years, I plan on being a prominent investor with an extensive portfolio ranging from single family, multi, apartments, and commercial buildings. Like I said, I'm a big dreamer!

    As far as an avenue to go with first - Since I don't have a lot of money to start off with (and unless someone suggests a better route for me to take first), I plan on starting off with wholesaling single family homes to investors, and moving on to fixing and flipping single family homes as I gain more knowledge and relationships.

    Any suggestions for me?

  • Brandon TurnerPro Member
    Investor · Maui, HI · Member since 2009 · 13k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    13y

    Welcome to BiggerPockets Douglas Goree! As Josh said, let us know how you need assistance. To be quite honest - most people don't let us help them enough. We're more than willing to help someone who is earnest and wants to get involved - and those earnest people usually find great success.

    Let us know your plan, your marketing, your ideas, your struggles, whatever. Ask as many questions as you can.

    A few tips for you:

    1.) Start new threads when you have new topics - but search the site to see if there is an obvious answer first using the search tool on the top right.

    2.) The shorter the question/post - the more people will take the time to read and comment. With over 600 posts per day, people sometimes just answer the quick ones.

    3.) Set up some Keyword Alerts for terms you are interested in knowing more about, and set a keyword alert for your local area. This way - when those topics are discussed, you'll be notified and can jump into those conversations.

    Keep in touch, Douglas!

  • Investor · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2013 · 8 posts · 0 votes
    13y

    Welcome from a fellow ATLian! :)

    I've also recently started investing in real estate here in Atlanta. Learning a lot through trial-and-error, and of course the BP site! It's an incredible resource! Looking forward to following your progress. Give a shoutout if you've got any questions!

  • Specialist · Orange County, CA · Member since 2008 · 2k+ posts · 623 votes
    13y

    Hi Douglas Goree,

    Welcome to BiggerPockets!

    As Joshua Dorkin cautioned, you don't want to rush. Have a solid plan, and do your due diligence so you investing wisely. We want to see you succeed on your first investment! :)

    Feel free to post any questions you have. There is lot of talent in these forums, and we're happy to help out.

    Continued success!

  • Investor · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2013 · 112 posts · 15 votes
    13y

    Hi Douglas,

    I'm also just starting out in the Atlanta market (and am new to BP). One thing I would suggest you look at is joining a local REIA group. I joined GAREIA and they have lots of meet-ups on specific types of RE investing, e.g., wholesaling or rehabbing. This allows you to network with other investors in your market area.

    All the best,
    Rachel

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