Veterans getting into RE, TAKE THE LEAP!

Hi all! 

Just some motivation for my fellow veterans (and everyone!) TAKE THAT LEAP and get that first deal knocked out! (Of course, do your diligence by researching and making sure you will scoop up a good deal) My personal journey started when I got out of the Army in 2019 solely to get into real estate for a good chunk of my time.  It was the best decision ever.  4-5 years later I am sitting at 4 properties with a total of 6 doors (first property was a Triplex!) and of those 4 properties only 2 mortgages left! All properties (minus the one currently live in in order to flip then rent when complete) are fully rented. I was able to accelerate paying down the others because I always put down a good amount for the down payment to supplement paying off debt fast.  The steam train is rolling, and I am more than happy to connect with anyone and talk more about the journey! 

Some below advice:

1) VA Loan is a great first-time choice (if applicable) just PLEASE do not put 0% down. If you have the liquid funds and can drop 10-35% down do it! The difference in monthly payments (on top of all your other bills) will save you so many headaches and propel you to start strategizing on the next deal. The difference between a 2000/mo payment from a 1400/mo payment opens so many other doors for you to invest BACK into the property to add value AND some extra to start working towards the next one.

2) Do not be emotionally attached to your money.  One of the biggest mistakes starting investors make would be to hold onto a decent amount of money because the anxiety around emergency money or hesitation. Scared money doesn't make money folks.  If you are motivated and ready to dive in, just go on and do it!!  (Situational dependent!) 

3) Take your TIME doing your research and planning how you will turn a property around to be a great investment.  

4) Network, network, network. I cannot express the importance of this enough. Networking truly changes the game for investors. If you have local meetups or local REIA groups, attend those! They bring so much value to the table and you never know who you will meet that can change your life!

5) Utilize every and all resources you can!  BP is a phenomenal place to kick start RE careers. There are so many tools and knowledgeable people that just want nothing but to see you win.  

Writing this quick blurb mainly because I have had time to sit, reflect, and appreciate how far I have come in a short amount of time.  I want nothing more than to see others win with me because that's what 2019 me wanted the most was for people to push me forward and inspire me to make that Leap, which happened.