All Forum Posts by: Lee Brown

Hey everyone,

I’ve been thinking a lot about my strategy lately, and I believe it makes the most sense for me to start with a couple of fix and flips to build up some capital. This will be my first deal, so I’m trying to set myself up for a strong start.

I had a good conversation with my lender, and they laid out a few creative financing options to consider:

• A DCRC loan
• A HELOC (home equity line of credit)
• A conventional loan

I wanted to reach out to the group and get some input. For those of you who’ve been through your first deal, or have helped others do the same, do you think these are solid options to get started? Any pros/cons or alternatives I should look into before locking something in?

Appreciate any advice or insights you’re willing to share!

Thanks in advance,

Lee

@Aaron Zimmerman 

Hey, appreciate the insight, you’ve definitely got my attention now.

I’m actually a veteran and eligible for the VA loan, and I’ve lived in my current home for over 7 years. I wasn’t originally thinking about doing a live-in flip, but the idea of using the VA loan to buy, renovate while living in it, and then selling every couple of years with that capital gains tax break is starting to make a lot of sense.

Never really looked at it as a long-term strategy, but now I’m thinking this could be a solid way to build up equity and cash tax-free every two years. Thanks for dropping that nugget, I’ll definitely be looking into how I can make this work!

@James Lucenti really appreciate you, brother. Thank you for your service as well. It means a lot to hear that from a fellow vet, especially one who’s already been carving a path in real estate.

The transition out of the military has definitely reshaped how I look at life and opportunity. Now it's all about building something real—for my wife, my kids, and for future freedom. I've been doing the homework, learning the strategies (BRRRR, rentals, house hacking), and just trying to absorb everything I can before jumping into that first deal.

Would love to connect and learn from your experience. Appreciate you offering to share your knowledge, that kind of support is exactly why I joined this community.

– Lee

@Allie McAlister 

Thanks so much for the welcome, Allie. I really appreciate it!

I’ve been leaning toward a buy and hold strategy, with an eye on the BRRRR method to build long-term wealth and passive income. I’m still early in the journey, so I’m keeping my mind open and learning as much as I can. But I know I want to build something sustainable that supports my family and gives me the freedom I’ve been working toward.

Totally agree with your advice on building a strong team. That’s actually one of the biggest things I’m focusing on right now, connecting with solid people who’ve been there and can help me avoid common pitfalls. Whether it’s locally here in Indiana or eventually in another market like Memphis, I know having the right team is everything.

Thanks again for reaching out—I’ll definitely keep your name in mind if I ever explore your market!

– Lee

Man, Will, I felt every word of this.

I’m in a similar place right now. A lot of people around me are good folks, but when it comes to building wealth, taking calculated risks, or stepping outside the 9–5 comfort zone, the mindset just isn’t there. It’s a sea of “that’s risky,” “what if it doesn’t work,” or “just be grateful for what you have.” And like you said, most of them have never owned a rental, taken on debt for an investment, or built anything from scratch, but they’re quick to offer advice.

It’s been a big shift for me to stop sharing everything with people who aren’t wired the same, and instead surround myself with folks who are actually in the game. That’s exactly why I’m here, to connect with people like you who get it, who are moving forward no matter what the noise around them says.

Let’s definitely stay in touch, I’m all about trading ideas, keeping each other locked in, and building something that actually lasts.

– Lee

@Isaiah Hall 

Thanks so much, I really appreciate the warm welcome and the kind words!

At the moment, I’m leaning toward buy and hold, ideally using the BRRRR strategy to build up long-term cash flow and equity. I’d also be open to doing a flip or two to generate some extra capital as I grow. I’m definitely in learning mode, but I’ve been doing the work behind the scenes to get myself in position to finally take action.

I’m planning to start locally here in Indiana, since I know the area and it’s easier to manage early on. That said, I’m open to out-of-state opportunities in the future, especially if I can find the right team and systems.

Grateful to be here and looking forward to connecting with others and soaking up as much knowledge as I can!

Hey @Jaycee Greene,  thanks for the warm welcome!

Right now, I’m primarily looking at SFRs and 2–4 unit multifamily properties to get started. I’m leaning toward value-add or light fixer-uppers, something where I can force some appreciation and possibly implement a BRRRR strategy.

My price range is around $150K–$250K, depending on the deal and market. I’m still locking in my financing strategy, so I’m looking at both creative options and traditional lending with around 10–20% down, depending on the structure.

I’m based in Indiana, so I’m starting by looking at my local market for easier management and familiarity, but I’m not ruling out other markets if the numbers make sense and there’s a good team in place.

Appreciate you reaching out, open to any insights or connections you may have!

Hey everyone – I’m Lee.

I’m a 16-year Army veteran, combat medic, and currently working in the insurance industry for my day job. I’m also a proud husband and father to four beautiful kids who inspire everything I do.

I didn’t come from much, but I’ve worked my *** off to build a better life for myself and, more importantly, for my family. Over the past few years, I’ve made some big changes to get my finances and mindset right, and now I’m ready to take that next step into real estate investing.

I’ve had the itch for a while, and I’m finally in a position to act. My ultimate goal is to lead my family to financial freedom and teach my children the kind of financial intelligence I had to learn the hard way.

I’m here to learn, connect, and grow, and I’m hoping to find a mentor who’s willing to share their experience and help guide me as I start this journey.

Looking forward to getting to know this community and bringing value where I can.