All Forum Posts by: DJ Thompson

@Travis Mathews  I would look into an AMEX card like stated before.  Also pull your credit report and see if you can get those collections and blemishes off your credit report.  Sometimes they will be removed if they are medical under the new FICO guidelines recently passed.  Barclay US has cards for lower tier credit people to build their score, just make sure to not abuse your purchasing power since they often give out high credit lines in the beginning. 

Also, though not always accurate Credit Karma may help you to see if you are moving in the right direction with weekly credit report updates.  Its a soft inquiry so no worries with denting credit scores.

@Paul Timmins Thank you for the information Paul.  There is a group somewhat local to where I live that I am going to join.

@Adrian Smude I am not looking to move down there, just looking to invest in that area due to the higher ROI and market growth I've seen/heard about and what is projected for the area. I've been told if possible to invest in south Tampa. Do not know how much truth there is to that yet. Do you have any input on the better areas and ones to avoid?

Does any one have experience in the Tampa FL market?  Looking into mainly duplex's or multi unit housing.  Any areas to avoid ect? 

Also does anyone use a property management company there?  I am located in NJ and thought of that being a good possibility in the beginning.

DJ

Hello everyone!

We are a young investor couple (I am 26, Tina is 23) who are looking to get into the real estate business.  My mother was a real estate agent up in our area for 30+ years with her last 7 years doing new construction before she retired.  My mother and father have also been investors for roughly 15 years so they have taught me a couple things just by being around them. 

We are looking to start building up our portfolio specializing in multi-family/ multi-unit housing.  I have some family (also a ex-real estate agent down in Crystal Springs FL) who have been keeping me updated on the market down in the Tampa FL area which I plan to operate most of my business.  Reason being is start up capital is hard to come by for northern NJ markets.  I would love to bring it closer to home over time however.  My goal is to have a net worth real estate portfolio of $1 million by the time I am 35.  And double that number by the time I am 40. 

Our time frame to get started is within the year.  Currently we are saving funds and trying to learn as much as possible by asking around, books, webinars ect.  Next year we both look to get our real estate licenses for NJ.  We both work full time jobs (I am a sales manager of a Toyota store) and she is a school teacher so the real estate license may take time.   

I look forward to contributing and learning on this site,

DJ