All Forum Posts by: Omari Bookal

Hello BP Community,

(Not really a new member intro) 

Last week I finally made the leap to quit my full time engineering job and become a full time real estate investor in the Lexington Kentucky area. Right out of college started working as a process engineer at the Toyota Manufacturing plant in Kentucky and I was working some absolutely crazy hours then there, around 85hr weeks 6 days a week on average (BRUTAL) so I had no life. When not at work I continued to read and live frugally (mainly to pay student loans) then I found Rich Dad books, started listening to BP, researched real estate and started attending meetups in Kentucky I realized this was the way out of the rat race. Long story short I wanted to do this full time.

TODAY- I own my first home (BRRRR strategy), I am no longer working as an engineer (quit last week) and made the decision to become a FULL TIME INVESTOR in Lexington and Georgetown Kentucky.

                     What I'm looking for are people in the area who are...

A. Needing a partner/ mentee for their wholesaling business, so the business can grow and they and teach and I can learn.

B. House flippers needing deals in a certain area who need boots on the ground to search for off market deals. 

C. Investors looking for buy and holds at a reasonable price with not much work to make rent ready. 

I know how to work hard, I know to be organized (to an extent), I have experience building a company and I'm diving into this thing head first with not much life support but I believe that's what it takes. I think one should enter action with boldness and put yourself in some hemmed in ground because you will force yourself to be successful!!

Looking forward to meeting some new people! 

Good luck in Knoxville!! I've been wanting to move to TN from KY because the research I've seen shows Nashville and Knoxville are good markets to get into. I would super highly suggest finding your local REIA group and attend those meetings to find like minded individuals. That's what I did in KY and made great strides in finding some good mentors and partners. I've connected with people I've met on BP at REIA meetings.

@Ross McMahan Welcome to the BP family! I wont repeat what everyone else said but just keep moving forward. I learned about BP about a month or so ago and did the same thing you did with introducing myself and getting the warm welcome then invite to the Bluegrass REIA . I attended the last local REIA meeting in Lexington and it felt awesome to actually be taking action with networking but most importantly LEARNING!

@James Wilcox

@James Wilcox and @Ryan Camenisch got room for one more? first round of 'coffee' is on me haha.  

@Joe Marcum, Thanks for the support. I submitted the request again

John Mathewson thanks for the advice! I'm going to take a deeper look into getting license because I really want access to the MLS when I begin putting more time into REI. As for right now my engineering job doesn't allow time for any side gigs and if I'm gonna study to take this test I wanna past first try. Think I'm going to try getting my first deal done without it and see what happens from there. Do the costs vary or standard class and test? Feel like it's a much better investment than going to a guru seminar.

Joe Marcum I've requested to join the BGREI facebook group and can't seem to get a reply. I really want to attend the next meeting to learn, meet fellow newbies and seasoned veterans.

John Mathewson I'm in the same-ish kind of boat. Have some $$ saved (don't think enough to invest at the moment) and working a full time. Is getting your RE license really worth it? And if it is how difficult is it to acquire?

Learn, Plan, Execute. (Revised)

Find My Niche

@James Wilcox Thanks a lot for the support!! I already feel like I am making significant progress in my REI education just being a part of BP with like minded people. I will definitely check out the group on Facebook and hopefully I can meet some of you experienced investors in person.