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.
HML willing to invest in class B and C properties. Most don't even care about the deal. Too small, too risky, too scared... they run away. Although we know where, how much and when to buy in these areas as we live, work and thrive here. Similar challenge with fair home owners insurance for non-occupant owned property. It's a struggle but we've just begun so gearing up to DIY it as needed.
Recent Computer science grad here !! recently closed on my first foreclosure property, rehabbed it, now house hacking, living for free, and making $200 cash flow, way better than paying $1700 in rent for sure.
This is a great question with some fascinating responses! I am not an engineer by trade (film industry for most of my career), but I have to agree that in a way, we are ALL engineers. Remarking with absolute total respect for those of you (most of you) who have degrees in and professional experience as an engineer. But there is something to be said that just about everyone on these forums is in some way working to design and build (thus engineer) their lives and their financial future.
Software / IT person here. I have noticed a lot of engineers too. I think
1) Engineers are problem solvers. Ever see the jokes about the difference between theoretical physicists and engineers? Engineers find a way to get it done that is an important trait in real estate investing
2) Engineers have good income but C-level executive income. Real estate investing is accessible to them and they are less likely to invest in a business startup or have a C-level career arc.
3) There are a lot of engineers in the upper middle class.
4) Engineers are smart. You don’t need to be that smart to succeed in real estate investing but the more successful investors I’ve encountered are pretty smart.
BS Industrial Engineering here, aspirations for MBA. I've worked in many sectors of manufacturing for a number of years, then transitioned to healthcare. Great to see so many others here!
Network Engineer here! I live and work in the San Francisco Bay, and I invest in SFH in Tampa Bay.
I found that after reading many books on the Fundementals of RE investing, and working for a commercial real estate tech company that invests in CRE in 10 major US markets. The key is to standardize, and systematize your business. In IT we have to automate to make are job somewhat easier, same goes for investing though you will have some hurdles to climb but once you cut your teeth, you automate/delegate tasks accordingly.
Computer/Electrical engineer. But honestly it make sense right? engineers are problem solvers by nature and good with numbers. Engineer+Real Estate = Love!
Mechanical Engineer and looking at buy my 2nd RE investment. Currently looking for 4-plex in Seattle, WA or Sacramento, CA. Any other investors from these areas? Feel Free to connect, Cheers!
Aerospace Engineer in the Annapolis, MD area. I've been listening to podcasts and reading books for over a year, caught in the all too familiar analysis paralysis. Time to take the leap!
IT Systems Engineer/Architect checking in here - we purchased our first BRRRR duplex last year and it's been paying off already. We're looking at purchasing our next two multi-family properties within the next 6-9 months.
In my prior life I owned an insurance agency that insured a lot of property, mostly apartments and strip centers. Two of my three largest clients were engineers before going into real estate. They owned 500'ish units in the Bay Area. Played monopoly from single family homes to large apartment buildings.
Not an engineer here, but have a BS in meteorology (which unbeknownst to many is very math/physics heavy) and have a minor in mathematics. Definitely helps when analyzing deals!
@Adam Zach, as an engineer, I would like to join the engineer lovefest and agree, however, it's been my experience that engineers are NOT the majority of real estate investors, but they, along with people working in IT and other technical career fields seem to be a fast growing segment - Doctors, Lawyers, Business Owners (variety) still invest at a higher rate I believe (from speaking with hundreds and hundreds of investors the past 5 years). I want to say we (engineers) are the BEST...but, I think engineers by nature (like accountants) tend to OVER-analyze the details and therefore can often be self-limiting in the bigger game of RE investing. just one opinion.