All Forum Posts by: Ryan L.

Hey guys,

Do you use biggerpockets.smartmove.com for your tenant screening? If so, how do you like it compared to others? If not, why not and who do you use? I used it for my prop and it seemed to work really well. What's your thoughts?

State Farm has been great to me - they're quote came back to me about 1/2 of what other companies quoting me on - same coverage and all.

Zion - thank you!

Josh - Thank you also..i'm sorry I should have checked there first before I started a thread!

Hey guys,

So I am getting ready to rent my first property and was wondering if you guys made up your own rental application or if you just used one from online? I have no problem making one up, I just want to make sure I have everything on it. Does anybody have any examples they can forward me? I'd really appreciate any help you can all provide. I'm very excited to get under way here!

MItch,

As a new investor still finding my way, I appreciate your post. Often I wonder how much money I will need to make or how many properties in my portfolio I'll need to have to be deemed successful. What really matters to me, which I forget 99% of the time, is that I am choosing real estate investment as a career, not only because of my passion towards the field and idea of being my own boss, but because if done properly and morally, it has the ability to grant me that "freedom" to pursue my other goals in life. Again, thank you Mitch and the rest of you for helping me throughout this process. I love this website.

I'm 25 so I guess i'm still relatively young but my score right now is about 740 - a bit bummed (being the ultra competitor that I am) that I'm lower than most of you. I pay off all my debt immediately..never payments. Is it because I'm still a bit young that I haven't been able to "develop" more of repertoire yet? I'm sorry, I'm not extremely knowledgeable in this area yet so any info you can provide me would be great, thanks!

Thank you for all your responses! I was very grateful of the guy's advice to work for a large company but I feel, like many of you must have, that I can do this on my own. Again thank you for the response and I promise to stop asking newbie questions!

Thanks guys! J Scott I love your website, thank you so much for publicly showing the different strategies you take on each property. I learn a lot from your site!

A question to all the veteran investors out there: Did you have the proper experience or seasoning before you went out and did your first deal? I ask because i'm a young guy with a bachelors in real estate, have a great business plan and I am an aspiring real estate investor/developer. I showed my plan to a gentleman that has been in the business for years and he said my plan is great but I should go work for a corporate investment firm and learn more before going out on my own. I had worked for an investor for a year where I managed a 46-unit building, from purchase to closing and did a pretty good job. I was in charge of all day to day management, rehab, etc. He eventually flipped the property after 8 months and made money out of it and didn't show up to the property once. I never managed a building before so needless to say it was a HUGE learning experience (especially at that size). I am not working for him anymore only because I relocated to Denver.

Here's my problem..I am not a corporate person. I can't sit in an office all day. I need to be on the move. I am extremely determined and passionate about RE and am constantly learning. I was born in a family of entrepreneurs and I want nothing more than to be one myself. I haven't been able to buy a property yet because of i'm tied up in a property back east (damn condos), but once I do, I plan on buying a multi-family to start, living in one unit and renting the others. I have investors - including my former boss - who believe in me and my capabilities enough to express interest in investing with me.

Did you jump in and learn as you went? Do you believe I should work for a firm before I start? I'm 25, not getting any younger and very eager to start building my business. However, I want to do this the right way. Help please!

Sorry Jon! The property is free and clear from any mortgage.