All Forum Posts by: Marty Johnston

@ Dawn 

@Dawn Anastasi &  @Sean O'Gorman - Yeah that's what I've read, a buddy's going with me too and I explained that the last 30 minutes will probably be ask to buy $30k classes and knowledge, which we'll ignore, but the info before and around all that might be useful for us. He's also interested in getting into REI but neither of us have any experience so we're going to whatever we can in addition to the REIA meetings. Thanks for the advice!

@Sean O'Gorman, thanks for the advice, that's how I feel I can always convince my wife - through numbers. I think she'll be persuaded over some time, but she's a "One step at a time" kind of person, and me getting a job locked down is the overall priority at the moment. Once I find something that gets us moving in the right direction (such as the low pay grunt work) she'll feel more comfortable moving onto the investment side of things. I appreciate the input. right now I'm in hardcore Contractor Research mode calling and talking with several people or companies to learn who and what's all out there to start working.

@Michael Henry I signed up just last Tuesday, and unfortunately couldn't make it to the REIA meeting that night, I'm planning on attending several, it's top of my list. I'm attending Than Merrill's seminar on March 19th in South Milwaukee, I'm not sure what to expect but I'm looking forward to meeting other local investors contractors and realtors.

Thanks for the response, Brandon. I have thought extensively about the idea you mentioned above. I'm currently in the works on convincing my wife on the idea actually as she would like to live in a single family. We've spent some time in apartments and she (I guess I could say 'we') are really excited not to deal with neighbors on other side of walls. haha I'm more than happy to deal with the extra noise of another family for the pros of what you mention above. We'd be building equity while getting our mortgage paid for. I think once I lay out numbers and a list of all the pros and cons, she'll see the pros far outweight the cons. But yes I agree this is a great idea and way to get started in REI.

Youtube has been my go-to for years now on all my projects here and there, you can truly find just about anything on there and great education! Thanks for the advice.

Morning Everybody,

I'm one of the many new people on this forum looking to learn tips and skills in the entire investor, DIY, contractor world. I'm 23 and in the middle of changing my career goals. My new direction in life has me headed towards full-time contractor/carpenter work. This really is where my passion lies, but I'm very limited on experience. I'm really just looking to gain knowledge, skills, and experience in any way I can. I'm really focused on the Residential Home Improvement aspect of things, but want to learn it all: rough framing, dry-walling, flooring, cabinetry, electrical, plumbing, kitchen and bath remodel etc. I just love this stuff. Any advice from people on here where I can get some good education? I'd love to buy someone lunch, a cup of coffee, or a beer at Wolski's and just pick your brain!

My long-term goal is to get trained and become a full-time contractor in home improvement and remodel work. In the meantime (hopefully < 2 years) get educated in real estate investing. I'm someone who wants to know every angle (Is that possible in real estate investing? haha) before jumping in, or at least feel comfortably educated. While I'm interested in learning about wholesaling and fix & flips, my greatest interests lie in Buy & Holds in Single/Multi families. I have a strong DIY mindset and with the skills and knowledge as a contractor, I hope to be able to fully analyze my future investments from every angle, and work on my investments myself.

Problem is, I need to build my network! Thank goodness for places like BP which allow me to do that. I'd love to sit and meet with you guys here in Milwaukee area (I'm located just north in Thiensville) and hear any advice you have for me in reaching some/any of my goals. I'm an open book and open ears! Contractors reading this, I'd love to work and learn from you, I'm happy to do it for free to get hands on experience!

Thanks @Rebecca Knox for that. I'll definitely be keeping my eyes peeled for one I'm able to attend. It sounds like a great way way to meet and start building a network

Thanks for the encouragement! Glad to hear there are other young investors out there like me. Its great you've managed to acquire a duplex in your first year. And its a great tip for volunteer work in the area, I'll definitely be looking into that.

I wish I wouldn't have looked into the Milwaukee REIA meeting being held tonight because the presentation topics are EXACTLY the kinds I'm interested in learning about... Unfortunately I can't make it tonight. But it looks like these are held every month? Did I read that correctly?

Good Morning Everyone,

Thought I'd quickly introduce myself. Brand new to real estate investing, but totally amped about it. Have always loved real estate and homes and working on them, but have zero experience professionally (and very limited unprofessionally as well). I'm a young 23 and motivated to learn and discover all the in and outs, and have several books on the way to begin self-educating.

I just discovered Bigger Pockets in the past several weeks and have been listening to the podcasts nonstop. I think BP is a truly wonderful and encouraging place to come for guys like me, who are just learning the ropes, and have access to thousands of people more educated than me to answer all my questions! Just amazing...

I'm at a point where I've recently gotten married, am currently in school, but feel that real estate is really the (broad) career that I want to move in towards. Soon I'd like to start a family with my wife and be able to have steady and comfortable income so she can be a full-time stay-home mom without worrying about making ends meat. That's the goal.

I'm extremely interested in learning rehab - all aspects - from framing to dry wall to electrical to plumbing, flooring, cabinetry etc. I know this will come slowly, and I want to learn it right, to build skills in each area in a very professional manner. Eventually I hope to find what I enjoy doing the most and focus on it. Ideally, my plan is to find a job in carpentry full-time, while doing buy and holds, fix and flips, and perhaps some wholesaling to earn extra side cash flow, but don't think I want to jump into investing full-time at this point. Landlording is where my highest interest rests right now.

I can't wait to start building a network with those in the area, to learn from you guys on the forum who are experienced and who don't mind assisting a young guy on his journey! Looking forward to meeting you all.

Marty Johnston