All Forum Posts by: Vickie Y.

Very cool work @Shiloh Lundahl !! I do buy and hold rentals in Phoenix from LA and seeing your work in AZ is very inspiring! Keep up the great work

congrats @Jeremy Clarke ! that's very exciting :) make sure you have a great property management company lined up, especially since you are looking to increase rents. have you been out to see the property? sounds like you are inheriting tenants - what is your strategy for that? asking because while I have invested in two properties out of state, they have all been sfh which were vacant. best of luck to you!

welcome @Joshua Koo ! this is a great place to learn and support others. wouldn't have been able to get started if it weren't for the amazing people I found via bigger pockets. what kind of real estate investing are you looking to do? as a newbie, all the ideas seems great but I encourage you to learn about them all and then narrow it down to 1 or 2 strategies. I myself do buy and holds of SFH in Phoenix, AZ ( just closed on my second property) and currently hunting for a third SFH or a small 2-4 unit multi. I'm in the LA area too (buena park) so shoot me a PM if you ever want to meet up or chat! best of luck!

What a great post idea! 

By day: 

I'm a health care professional working about 50 ( sometimes feels like 500...) hours a week. 

REI - Related: 

I do buy and hold real estate out of state in Phoenix, AZ. Two properties currently, and looking to have a total of 10 doors in the next 5 years. I'm also starting to read about appraisals and may look into getting my appraiser license sometime down the line. 

Other businesses: 

I also have a fledgling e-commerce business that just launched (men's grooming, if anyone's interested!) and always looking for mentors and connections in that arena. Currently looking to expand my marketing efforts and grow on social media. Also working on strengthening my in-person sales skills. 

Hobbies: 

Recently started biking. A total novice right now with a used mountain bike, but I love it! The fresh air is amazing, and "biking for dollars" is fun :) 

I also love personal finance and geeking out on index funds and compound interest :) 

I'm learning first hand how much knowledge everyone I meet has to offer! Feel free to shoot me a PM if you are local (in Orange County, CA) or just want to chat! 

@Robin Boyer sounds great, would love to meet you all! 

@Daniel Y. definitely! Let's set up a time - shoot me a PM when you can! :) 

Hi @Jeff Takai! I'm an investor living in Orange County, CA too. I do my investing out of state in Phoenix, AZ. Closing on my second property in a few days, and looking to pick up 8 more doors in the next few years. Would love to chat and find out more about what you've been doing! Let's see if we can meet up for coffee at some point! 

Hey @Paul Faryna! I think it's crucial to talk to have an honest conversation with your agent, especially in an out of state situation. I closed on my first SFH about 6 months ago,s o the experience of forming a team is still fresh in my memory.

Some things I learned/did:  Communication is key as they are your boots on the ground. I spoke to ~10 agents and while I'm sure all 10 could "get the job done", you really need to find the one that suits your preferences and investment style. I met my amazing realtor on BP, and we spoke on the phone a few times prior to meeting in person. The conversation will take its course, and I'd encourage getting the answers to your questions without shooting through them like a bullet point list. Remember, they are interviewing you as well. If they seem to fit the bill, fly out to meet them (it's a worthy investment, I promise), buy them lunch, and continue the conversation. My realtor and I work well together because we are both systematic and data/number driven, plus he has amazing work ethic - which I found out after meeting him in person. Again, any agent will be able to submit an offer, but I think the key is finding one who suits YOUR investment and analysis style. I definitely agree with you that forming your team first is a must. Sounds like you're off to a great start! :) Feel free to PM if any other specific questions.  

Wanted to see if anyone has some tips for simple and effective bookkeeping for buy-and-hold rental properties. Currently, I track net worth monthly on a simple excel spreadsheet (has columns for checking, retirement, index fund, etc...). Since there is a lot more in and out involved with a rental, I am looking for an efficient way of tweaking it to meet the following goals: 

1) preferably not on a separate software program. Like the old-school feel of excel :) 

2) Keeps real estate transactions separate for tax purposes

3) Easy to fill in expenses and income on a monthly basis

If anyone has any tips, or even an excel template they would be willing to share, that would be extremely helpful! Thanks!! 

Hi @Donna Arrogante, welcome to BP! Loved the Freedom Number podcast as well, and am looking to house hack in the LA or OC market eventually. Investing out of state in SFH's currently, where prices are much friendlier =) Also check out @Jeff Greenberg's monthly LA Meetup in Santa Monica - I've met a lot of amazing people there and learned a ton!  Feel free to link up if you want to chat more!