​I QUIT MY JOB THIS WEEK!!! (with help from BP, at 31yo ;)

​I QUIT MY JOB THIS WEEK!!! (with help from BP, at 31yo ;)

J. MartinPro Member
Rental Property Investor · Oakland, CA · Member since 2011 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes

Say it with me: “I QUIT!!!”

As Bigger Pockets’ motto says, “Life wasn’t made to be lived in a cubicle.”
So I’m not going to any more!!

Been a Wild Ride!!
Going from nothing - to buying my first foreclosed 4plex with an FHA loan, partnerships buying poorly maintained single family homes and 2-4 unit buildings from foreclosure, probate, off-market (or combination), several partnerships and loans to and from local BP members, furnishing apartments for 1-3 month stays, several cash-out loans, >$1MM in RE, $250K in gross rents, organizing a big RE Summit, discovering all the amazing data out there, having some challenges along the way, giving back to the community and volunteering, and having the opportunity to give back and help other investors with my experiences – has been a wild ride!!!! (See my BP profile or signature link for more details privately.) And I actually enjoyed my job, but I'm going to enjoy this more!!!

From Nothin' to Somethin'
I started with no cash, negative net worth, and a pocket full of dreams. My goal was to be able to wake up whenever I wanted, wear flip flops every day, and do some traveling :) After a lot of hard work, help from others (mostly on BP!), some leverage, and a stroke of luck, I was able to build a portfolio of high cash-flowing properties in the San Francisco Bay Area, along with another profitable real estate venture with a lot of additional opportunity. This income, along with my frugality – coupled with a business that allows me to operate remotely – will let me travel around the US and world, work on my own schedule, and follow my dreams, wherever they should take me! These goals were instrumental in building my business – because I didn’t want to have to show up to make money!!! :) *think about this when growing your business!*

BP (and the people on it) were Instrumental!!
Bigger Pockets forums, podcasts, and the people I have met here have opened my eyes to knowledge, wisdom, and opportunities I would have never thought possible. But I wouldn’t have come to where I am today if I hadn’t started posting and interacting on the forums, connecting with other local investors online, and meeting them face to face (eventually starting my own RE meetup in SF, and snowballing into a big RE Summit with so many great folks from BP). But BP was the start of it all. Before that, I was wandering around by myself in the desert, learning bit by bit, without a network of amazing people to lean on for advice, and ultimately do great deals with, borrow and lend funds, and most importantly, make some great friendships :)

Shout Outs!
I have to give a big shout-out to  @Johnson H. for first introducing me to BP, and a lot of investors down in Silicon Valley and San Jose. A big thanks to @Account Closedundefined

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Most Popular Reply

Rental Property Investor · Arlington, TX · Member since 2012 · 788 posts · 640 votes
10y

Congrats!  Way to make things happen and never give up. 

I'm not sure how so many Americans get brainwashed into working 40 hrs a week for 40 years so they can then live a modest lifestyle when they can now barely enjoy life.  Glad to see you break from the chains.

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  • Imperial Beach, CA · Member since 2015 · 29 posts · 3 votes
    10y

    That's me in a few years, Congrats!

  • Title Representative · Dallas, TX · Member since 2016 · 57 posts · 5 votes
    10y

    I know it good Job : but how you all pay your "BILL" notice were live at , and were to striae  work am try see open Job own reason why ! because will letter bill mail to our house sen !  

  • Real Estate Agent · Union, NJ · Member since 2016 · 16 posts · 3 votes
    10y

    This is wonderful.  Hopefully one day this can be my reality.

  • J. MartinPro Member
    OP
    Rental Property Investor · Oakland, CA · Member since 2011 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    10y

    @Jeff A.undefined

  • Rental Property Investor · SC · Member since 2015 · 12 posts · 10 votes
    10y

    Congrats!!  Really impressive, hoping to follow your path!

  • Professional · Canoga Park, CA · Member since 2016 · 3 posts · 2 votes
    10y

    You brighten the world of newbies especially to people like  me don't have any capital to start. hope you can give a glimpse to newbies around who want to follow your steps.

    More power!!! And God bless you always.

  • Investor · San Francisco, CA · Member since 2015 · 306 posts · 211 votes
    10y

    Congratulations J!

    I laughed out loud at the "Oakland koolaid" comment. 

    Thanks for all of the RE meetups you've hosted and looking forward to the awesome stories to come!

  • Mission TX · Member since 2016 · 12 posts · 3 votes
    10y

    Congratulations to you I wish you continued success and support. 

  • West Covina, CA · Member since 2016 · 12 posts · 1 vote
    10y
    J. Martin this is great! This is why I'm just getting started. It's stories like these and the tremendous potential this industry has if you make the right connections. Thanks for this inspiration.
  • Residential Real Estate Broker · Paranaque, Metro Manila · Member since 2015 · 16 posts · 2 votes
    10y

    @J. Martin Let's! :-) Just buzz me whenever you are here. There isn't a lot of BP members here yet that I know of, but we have a group of real estate investors that I meetup with every Saturdays  (http://www.meetup.com/Manila-Real-Estate-Investors...). I constantly speak of BiggerPockets to them, and hopefully they'll see this fountain of information and real estate wisdom that we have here. 

    As for the virtual assistant, let me PM you to get the job description details. I can get the word around.

    See you!

    --

    http://bahaylupa.co

  • Investor · Milwaukee, WI · Member since 2014 · 115 posts · 75 votes
    10y

    HUGE Congrats, J! Heard the good news previously from Amit and Clare. So happy for you. Hope to catch up before you leave the bay area. Are you coming to SF these days??

  • Investor · Phoenix, AZ · Member since 2015 · 5 posts · 2 votes
    10y

    Congrats @J. Martin live the life and enjoy the benefit of all of your hard work!

  • Investor · Los Altos, CA · Member since 2014 · 942 posts · 1k+ votes
    10y

    Looking forward to a BP meet up in Manila @J. Martin and @Ards Aram!  But can we have it in Palawan or Boracay instead?

  • Homeowner · Lemoore, CA · Member since 2013 · 30 posts · 6 votes
    10y

    congratulations

  • Investor · Sydney, New South Wales · Member since 2016 · 2 posts · 1 vote
    10y

    Very cool (and inspiring!!!) read. Well done. I'm sure you gave many, just like myself the kick in the backside that is sometimes needed.

    Great stuff

  • Dave VisayaPro Member
    Moderator
    Audio Engineer and Investor · Cebu City, Cebu · Member since 2013 · 7k+ posts · 881 votes
    10y

    Let me know about this meet up so I can book ahead @J. Martin @Ards Aram 

    BiggerPockets
  • Investor · Houston, TX · Member since 2015 · 30 posts · 12 votes
    10y

    Amazing!

  • Investor · San Diego, CA · Member since 2015 · 111 posts · 34 votes
    10y

    Congratulations!  I am so happy for you and hope to achieve the same.  Do you continue to invest in the Bay Area?

  • Rod HanksBusiness Member
    Insurance Agent · Dallas, TX · Member since 2013 · 743 posts · 462 votes
    10y
    J. Martin Very inspirational and motivational post! Congratulations on your success!!!!
    Rod Hanks Insurance4.9156 Reviews
  • Dumfries, VA · Member since 2015 · 1 post · 0 votes
    10y

    Good Job @J.Martin . Accomplishing this type of goal is indeed Amazing. Hopefully, I didn't miss this info along the way. Since, I'm just joining BP recently. I was wondering how long it took from first joining the group until now? I don't ask this as a gauge or template of sort. I was just wondering. 

    Congrats...

  • Raleigh, NC · Member since 2016 · 26 posts · 13 votes
    10y

    Congrats and thanks for the inspiring post! Planning to be where you are in a few years just shifting into multi-family now. Exciting stuff! 

  • Antioch, CA · Member since 2015 · 12 posts · 4 votes
    10y

    I love reading stuff like this. Congrats! 

  • Investor · San Jose, CA · Member since 2012 · 2k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    10y

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY J!

  • San Francisco, CA · Member since 2016 · 5 posts · 0 votes
    10y

    Congrats @J. Martin - your story is quite inspiring to me as I also have a goal to work for myself and quit the W2 job sooner rather than later. I hope to make it to you meet up in SF this week to hear more. Thanks!

  • Real Estate Professional · Da Nang, Da Nang · Member since 2016 · 12 posts · 6 votes
    10y

    Wow @J. Martin ! 

    You truly have an inspiring story that really resonates with me. I've alway lived in the SF Bay Area, but have now moved out to Vietnam to pursue the dream of living a life of experiences. 

    I hope to hear more about what you've done and if you ever get into the international market. 

    If you ever make it out to Vietnam for a trip, let me know! :D 

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