All Forum Posts by: Trevor Lohman

For me I have to wait for a name to pop up below and click on it... for example @Andrew Herrig versus @Andrew Herrig.

Inland empire sounds like a great idea, that's actually where I'm from and where I found the house for my dad. I'll keep looking into that area. Any specific cities that have worked well for you?

This is great guys thank you for all of this info. Also, I hope I didn't sound arrogant when I said "less desirable" I just meant it is surprising how expensive those properties are even though they are in what you would expect to be cheaper areas. You've all given me a lot to think about. I definitely think I need to keep learning, haha I definitely don't want to be a sucker as described earlier!

Wow, I am definitely guilty of thinking that way and didn't even realize it.

Thanks again for more awesome advice.

Makes sense, I know the more expensive you go, the worse the rent to value ratio gets. Guess I just to need to keep saving and looking for a good deal. I just can't help but look at these houses in Tennessee and Arkansas, etc in nice areas with nice schools for 50,000 dollars and get a little jealous! Haha but I know long distance land lording isn't a good idea in most cases. Thanks for the advice Jon!

Hi everyone,

I'm a new BP member living in southern California. I haven't quite found my niche yet, but I find myself being really drawn to the buy and hold type of investing.

It seems like buy and hold investing is a bit tougher out here in this area, and that getting a 1% monthly rent to value is not so easy. I'm basing this on what I hear from various podcasts and blogs since I don't have any real experience in the area (other than a purchase I negotiated for my Dad in 2010). Most of what I've seen talked about in Southern California is flipping, rehabs, spec home building, and commercial real estate.

Now I know that someone must own all of these houses people are renting in my area, so how are people finding success? and is it possible for someone like me, who makes a good income but hasn't had time to save large sums of money, to purchase and rent property in an expensive market like this one? I don't mind saving and being patient if I know it will make sense to be a landlord here.

Sure there are cheaper areas around, but still, I would find myself paying upwards of a 150,000 dollars for a small house in a run down, less appealing area. Is out of state investing a legitimate alternative? That seems like it would be a very difficult endeavor.

I'm sure the answer to succeeding in So Cal has something to do with lots of hard work, patience, and experience, as it is with most things. But I would love to hear what some BP members think about succeeding in my area, or perhaps some alternatives to investing locally.

I'm all ears! Thanks guys.

Trevor

Haha Mehran, it sounds like you know my situation well. Thank you for the words of encouragement. I plan on getting some of those books for sure. I actually picked up one of them at barnes and noble this week so I will start there.

Thanks again for the advice

Hi JT,

Congrats on taking the leap. I'm brand new to BP and real estate investing so seeing another new guy go for it is great motivation. Also, strong work on your quick tip intro track on the BP podcast today!

Good Luck JT!

Also @Paul Timmins I just saw your post on attending your first REIA meeting, one of the southern california listings is literally right down the street from me. Thanks for that, I've been looking for some advice on attending a meeting and your post was really helpful,

Trevor

Thanks Sylvestre and Jonathan for the welcome. Sylvestre, I hope you're right!

@Karen Margrave Wow, thank you for all of the awesome free advice. I am definitely in the stage that you are describing. Just trying to figure out what my goals are and what specific skill sets I can bring to the table.

It's nice to hear that someone is doing well out here in Orange County. All of my non real estate co workers, and probably most experienced investors talk about how impossible it is to invest in this area, and I definitely see how that might be the case. But it is nice to know that you are pulling it off!

I was getting to the point where I thought I might have to invest in some type of out of state network or something. I will definitely take your advice and get to know my surrounding areas.

Thanks again guys, I really appreciate all of this awesome feedback. I'd love to know more about what you all are doing real estate wise. Guess I'll start reading some more posts!

Trevor

Wow, yea I'm in lake forest all of the time for work, awesome area. I saw that you're interested in inland empire area properties.... I've lived in the Loma Linda area most of my life, small world! I'll definitely take your advice, there is a ton of great stuff on here, thanks for the welcome. Trevor