All Forum Posts by: Nate R.

Simple solution: 

- Mod or other users can tag posts/threads from minors as such, which will clearly label them for everyone to see.

- Limit the ability of those accounts to message other users. 

More extensive solution:

- Age-verify accounts and apply different privileges accordingly.

It can be overwhelming and confusing to read all the disparate opinions and strategies espoused by people on these forums.

This is a place where beginners can ask questions but get 10 different answers.

I recommend finding a mentor or strategy you are comfortable with and focusing on that first.

 Or something in-between. I like the dividend growth stocks -- or in RE cash-flow + appreciation.

 True that. There is not nearly enough discussion about the risks in RE here. Sign of the times...

Life is too short to do what others want you to do. Choose your own path. You like real estate, so you should pursue that.

Consider what will happen if in the next few years, there is a downturn in RE. Will having a degree differentiate you from others who will be competing for jobs in property development? I don't know how development works, but I'm actually not sure what the point of a degree in RE is. Is it a valuable credential? Consider also other continuing education and certificates that don't require a 4-year degree, like CAM. Some of these have real market value and increase your credibility with investors and lenders. Finance and accounting are also really useful skills you can learn on your own.

An "IT" degree (not sure what your major was) is also not particularly valuable. CS graduates can make good money as software engineers, but you've already stated you don't enjoy this kind of work. Maybe you just dislike working for others. Programming and technical skills could be valuable and could be used in many different kinds of businesses that you might want to start yourself. If that's an interest, you don't even need a 4-year degree, since these kinds of skills are increasingly taught in online courses, bootcamps, Udemy, Udacity, etc.

In any case, It's always good to have a plan B.

I can think of several reasons, which is why I haven't been contributing. 

I'm burned out and want to quit my job soon. I know people doing this in 3-5 years with the same strategy I'm using.

But I probably will end up doing both just because it's hard to pass up "free" money.

I face this dilemma every time I think about it. Trying to accelerate my wealth-building and need a lot of money to get into apartment deals, but worried I am passing up employer matching and concentrating all my assets into one sector.

Maybe I just need to throttle back and slow down a little to make sure I'm not over-exposing myself to risk and have something to fall back on in case something goes wrong in the RE.

Most commercial debt is short-term. Should commercial multi-family investors be worried? 

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Indeed. Dallas is one of the strongest in the nation, with y.o.y. appreciation of 9%, if memory serves correctly. I am too lazy to look up the stats. ;) The Dallas story is Fortune 500 companies relocating, central location, strong infrastructure and logistics hub (headquarters of American Airlines, DFW Airport). As I mentioned earlier, Toyota added 3,000+ employees with high-paying jobs and they are all trying to find housing in an already tight market. 

Central Texas (Austin-San Antonio-San Marcos) also is experiencing supply and demand imbalances. 

I have seen a figure that 150+ people move to Central TX every day. Austin's urban core is supply-constrained, while there is building in the suburbs, but it is still not enough to keep up with the influx of population. Regulations and lack of transportation infrastructure will keep the prices in central neighborhoods very high. I35 will never get fixed because it would require bulldozing large swaths of central Austin.

The prices in some Austin neighborhoods are probably closer to LA & SF prices than most realize.