Rental Property Investor · Fargo, ND · Member since 2016 · 136 posts · 112 votes
Is it just me or are about 25% of all real estate investors, also engineers? As an Engineer myself I could be biased but curious if anyone has insight. I know folks usually have professional background like IT, accounting, dr but would be going out on a limb to say engineers cover the majority of all real estate investors?
I did the eng gig until REI proved to be way more profitable. It's paid off in so many ways allowing me to do 'permitted' electrical (took that minor in elect.), opening & replacing walls with LVL beams, HVAC installs, on-demand HW (elect & NG) etc etc. It's a discipline that opened so many cost saving opportunities & you don't get snowed by contractors, home or building inspectors. Biggest job 'permitted' by my town was the complete design, install & wiring/flow rate monitoring of complete fire sprinkler system for a 6 unit. They allowed me 6 months & did it all myself.
But then again I remember our final exams forbade the use of calculators, slide rules were the only device allowed as were card punched software solutions in our lab finals.
Hello, I am studying my bachelors in mechanical engineering, looking to begin investing right after graduation with private investors, seriously can't wait!
Araceli Canales I am currently studying Software Engineering and I am considering to get my Real State license. The real state business attracts me so much, but I was doubting my self thinking that I was side tracking from the Engineering field. It is so nice to know that I am not the only Engineer that is attracted to this field. I guess our nature is the curiosity to always learn more.
Quite a number of engineers on this post and in real estate. Sounds like a great blog idea. Which careers or skillsets best translate to real estate or real estate investing?
Civil/Construction project engineer checking in. Shouts out to the wonderful engineers in the world especially the ones on the bigger pockets community.
Civil Engineer working in the SW suburbs of Chicago. I am going on year 3 of working full-time as a design engineer working in land development. I currently own just 4 doors, but am already beginning to prioritize sharpening my skills as an investor rather than as an engineer because it allows for thinking outside of the box and the ability to create wealth much more rapidly and tangibly than in the civil career path. I’m actually actively considering and speaking with a career coach about making the transition full time into Real Estate as a broker or other sales position. If there are any other engineers that have made this transition or have considered this transition I would love to chat about your experience and see if there are any opinions we can bounce off one another. Cheers Engineers!
Software Engineer here currently learning the basics of real estate investing and looking forward to building passive income in the future (25years old )
Project Manager with a side of Computer Engineering. My job is a lot of hours but my hours are flexible which makes real estate investing work for me. If I need to go to a closing i just go, need to fix something at a unit i just go.
To me if I had a 9 to 5 job that didn't allow me that flexibility i am not sure i would be investing.
I think engineers figure out very quickly that real estate investing provides income wether you are working or playing. It provides you “passive” income with tax benefits. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to understand that RE can provide a better quality of life and more time to enjoy it. All in the analysis. 😀
Mechanical Engineer (with Masters in Biomedical) here. Biggest challenge for me is narrowing down tool investments and opting out of turning my own wrenches for everything. I found a happy medium by investing in DIYing the really expensive stuff (electrical, HVAC, rough plumbing). Everything else stimulates the local econony.
I'm a Mechanical Engineer by degree, who worked in design for 2.5 years and switched to manufacturing roles about 6 years ago. Since recently starting to connect with people and going under contract on my first rental property, I have talked with a good mix of people who come from backgrounds in IT, finance, human services/resources, and engineering.
I think it's great that we all have these various backgrounds and areas of expertise, and especially that Bigger Pockets helps us connect to share so that we all become more knowledgeable and smarter investors!
I have my bachelor's in ME and my MBA. Was a design engineer for 5 years then moved into project management. The engineering background helps provide the technical expertise and the MBA/ PM experience helps me think about this from a business standpoint.
BE and ME in Civil Engineering and working as a Construction Project Manager with a portfolio consisting of various Hospitality, Public Works, Justice, Residential and Solar projects completed so far. Just getting started in RE investments!
I have a BSME from the UofM, Minneapolis, and have my Professional Project Management (PMP) certification. However, REI is much more satisfying and interesting!
@Antonio Cucciniello agreed I am a software engineer as well and my favorite part about just dipping my toe into real estate investing has been analyzing the numbers and the deals.
Regardless of how frustrating it can be to not find many resources for a newbie in my area.
I studied mechanical engineering in school up to year 3. Realized that I came from a construction background, and didn’t like sitting behind a desk with 90 lbs under my belt. So, I dropped down to a BS in Building construction and contracting with an emphasis in structural engineering. I still do beam and load calculations in many of my my remodels. Only now , I sit behind a desk and write contracts and estimates.
I’m grateful that I did this, for my tolerances as an engineer would have surely caused a homicide along the relationships that you encounter in this business. The relationships have been worth the trade off that I wouldn’t have found otherwise.