Marie Fries

Hi, my name is Marie Fries and I’m from Whitman, Mass (home of the Toll House Cookie {aka- chocolate chip cookie}) and been a BP member since April 2018. I’m one of those “Getting a Late Start in Life with Real Estate”; I’ve had an interest the Real Estate Market and Investing off and on for several years and tried a few times to get started and then either quit (out of fear, lack of confidence, lack of money, knowledge or listened to too many "Naysayers" in my life when I was younger; too risky they said, stay at a nice stable job, etc) or other situations in my life put real estate on the back burner. So here I am 2019 on BiggerPockets ready to take "The Bull by the Horns" and never give up again. I’m interested in everything; but to narrow it down and I'm looking start with being on a fix and flip team project with someone experienced and I could help out doing anything it takes, another goal is to own few buy and holds in the future for passive income and research Short Term Rental markets next year. I'm looking to seek out partnerships to help me grow as a newbie as well as help partners grow their businesses to make some deals happen! I know its a big ambition as I'm hungry and so determined! Interests are: Fix and Flips, Gaining experience being a real estate agent, I'm also a Licensed Mortgage Loan Office (no experience yet), Partnerships, Rentals - Long Term, Short-Term Rentals in vacation areas and so much more! Back in the Spring of 2018, I decided it was my final shot to get involved in Real Estate; I attended my first real estate meetup and found BiggerPockets, I’m so glad I did. It has opened up a new world for me, BP Podcasts are phenomenal, the forums are fantastic and the interactions with like-minded people on the website has been the best experience ever! I consider myself a BiggerPockets Groupie! In the fall of 2018 I took the real classes here in Massachusetts and passed the state license test in January 2019, I plan on working as an agent or property manager this year. During these few months, I’ve set some goals, attended real estate related meetups and other events and creating a network of professionals in the real estate field. I’ve also become an active member on the BiggerPockets website along with the forums and look forward to making more connections with hopes of working with some of you with some future deals! My focus is to hopefully purchase my first investment property by the end of 2019; I’m also open to other opportunities in real estate to gain experience. I also have a strong interest in fix and flips and looking forward to partner with someone to get started. I plan on continuing this journey Full Steam Ahead! Over 26 years ago, is when I got the real estate itch I attended a 3-day Guru workshop and ended up not doing anything with it because the support wasn't there. The other people that attended were from great distances from where I lived (so I never networked with anyone); felt isolated. This was before the internet! The only thing I got out of it was some debt on credit cards, Guru books, VHS Videos and Cassette audio tapes along with frustration, disappointed in myself, and gave up, the only thing I did get out of it was my interest in Real Estate but didn't do anything for another 25 years! During that time I did take real estate classes (maybe 4 times; yikes!) but never followed-up or really put the time into it; I’ve watched the real estate markets from the sidelines for those years but wasn’t able to or not ready take the plunge. 2019 is a New Beginning! Also, during most of those years I've been a single mom of 2 kids now almost grown (when my son was born he had many medical issues therefore money was always tight or non-existent we spent so much time in the hospitals) and they were my primary focus. I’ve always had some type of small business or side hustle work including a tax prep business, the limo business, technology, advertising, and marketing to name a few. I’m always looking for a new business venture and believe that Real Estate is my destiny. Since I've been learning so much on BP, listening to the Podcasts, including Mindy Jensen's MoneyShow Podcast, reading and being active on the Forums; I've discovered what one of my “Why’s?” is and that is with the challenges and struggles I have gone thru in my life I don’t want to be strapped for cash anymore and I don’t want my kids to struggle like this so, therefore, they are coming on this Financial Freedom journey with me. That is my “Why?” today. What is your "Why?" today?