All Forum Posts by: Sandy Thomas

I'm sorry that I missed it, David, but would like to attend your next gathering.  Could you let me know when you will meet again?  I believe my email is in my signature on here...thanks!

Hello to you, Larry!  What type of investing do you do in OR?

Thanks for the welcome, Shawn!  Looks like I've got some reading to do! : )

I have enjoyed BiggerPockets for the past few weeks (actually been a bit obsessed!).  There is so much to learn and knowledge that is shared here.  It's really an amazing site.

I am a full-time professional REALTOR/Broker based in the county seat of Hamilton County, Indiana (Fishers, Carmel, Noblesville, Westfield, Sheridan, Cicero, Arcadia and Atlanta make up our 8 great towns).

My husband, Dan, has spent his career in the building materials industry.  We have plans to begin small scale real estate investing.  We would like to pursue buy and holds for cash flow and also take advantage of opportunities for flips that I come across in order to build our account for future investing.

We have accomplished whole home renovations for primary residences in the past, including our most recent 18 month project where I GC'd a 3-phase remodel w/ 3 additions to our current home with the help of a hired construction manager.

I attended my first CIREIA (Central IN Real Estate Investors Association) meeting a few weeks ago and found it very helpful.  Thanks to all of you regular contributors here on BP!  I'm looking forward to continuing the journey!

Wholesaling would be a good place for you to start, @Felipe Moreno.  Start your education here on Bigger Pockets and follow it up with research on the process...there is a lot of info on the internet.  Reach out to see if there are wholesalers/investors in your area who you can network with to learn.  Start making a list of potential buyers for that first piece of property that you find.

Best of luck!

Hi Erik, I guess all the experienced investors are out makin' money today!  So you will have to settle for my inexperienced questions and comments.  : )

How did you determine the $550k build price for the 14 units?  What type of construction are you planning?  For example:  (1) 2 story building, all 2 BR 2 BA units, no garages, etc.

At first glance, your project sounds extremely aggressive (is that the right word?) for someone with no real estate, construction or property management experience.

My recommendation would be to consider seeking a partner who could bring some money and experience to the table.  Hopefully others will chime in but I am doubtful that you could secure financing on your own without putting substantial skin in the game ($$$).

Best of luck!

I love this comment from @John Barnette:

"And a personal business coach I once had always emphasized outflow will ultimately lead to inflow. Focus on outflow of money, time, effort, contacts, etc. eventually experience and money will inflow back to you."

At my office, we say "Activity breeds Activity"

You get out of a Real Estate career what you put in to it.

Keep giving us the updates, Carey.  It's helpful and interesting!

Best of luck with your exam next week, Randy!  I'd recommend calling several brokerages and ask to sit down with their managing broker.  Tell them that you hope to be licensed soon and would like to see what their company offers.

The big franchises can be a good fit for some, but tend to have much higher overhead than smaller, boutique firms or locally based companies. So that is something to take in to consideration.

Wishing you all the best!

The good news is that successful Realtors come in all colors, sizes and personality types.  The bad news is that it is difficult to predict which will be 'successful' and which won't make it to their 2nd anniversary in the business.

Here is the best advice that I can give you: get up, get dressed, go to work.

In other words, treat it like a REAL JOB.  Set your alarm, beat your manager in to the office in the morning, dress sharp, listen intently to the experienced agents.  If you do these things, you will be ahead of 90% of the other agents out there and those experienced agents/managers will send business your way to encourage you (I know that I always send a hard working rookie business whenever I can because I want to see them succeed).

Plan to have little to no income for 6 months, maybe more.  Don't spend a lot on advertising initially but instead tell everyone you know and meet that you are actively building your business and ask them 'who do you know that is getting ready to buy or sell a home?'.

Pick up the phone and start making phone calls.  Friends, family, classmates, former co-workers.  Expired listings, for sale by owners, absentee owners, cold call a neighborhood.

Best of luck to you, Johnny!  It is a career that rewards those who work their tail off.  : )