OfflineRight now it is 2012. I began Investing in Real Estate in March of 2008. I started that process by learning. In 2009 I bought my Duplex with a 585 Credit Score, In house loans Check em' out with your local bankers. June 2010 to December 2010 I worked directly for Matt Larson, what a ride that was. In the end we had different views about out we wanted to get things done, and parted as friends. Jan 2012 completed first Assignment of Contract to Matt, after nearly 4 years of trying. 2011 was a tough year and 2012 is starting off on the Left Foot ( Marines Get that!).
I am 27, married, and have a 2 year old baby boy that is a champ. My wife and I have been together for 6 years and we have been embracing change as an almost everyday occurence in our life. Sometimes as a pain in the ass.
I am an Apprentice Pipe Fitter with the United Association of Plumbers and Pipe Fitters Local 25 Rock Island, IL. I started this 5 year apprenticeship in August 2011 and love what I am doing.
Real Estate is not my Full Time activity, instead the goal for myself is to create my retirement from it. Being in a very strong Union has amazing benefits that have been earned, one is an excellent pension fund with an great history of performance. But I know that pension will not pay until I retire, nor will it match the performance of Real Estate.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years? I'll be 37 and teaching welding classes at the High School I graduated from. I love to teach people. I want to teach kids before they are put into the real world, skills to get a paycheck, and skills to invest. I want to teach kids who were viewed by their guidance counselor as someone without academic abilities, whose only real success would be working with their hands.
I want to prepare kids to be open minded and always be on the search for opportunity. I've been down a few paths for myself since high school. Auto school, Marine Corps, Cement Manufacturing, Real Estate Investing, Production MIG welding, and where I am now, Union Pipe Fitter.
Here's my advice to you, and also a lesson from Matt from when we parted ways, if you know what you want to do, then do it. There is nothing better than seeing someone who has clarity of what they want in life. He wanted me to continue to work for him, but I had made my decision and that is what he respects most.
I have no interest in doing Real Estate Full time at the pace you have seen the top level performers on this website. I have a strong desire to be in a position from my Investments to provide an excellent weld shop for High School Students to have the maximum benefit. I want them to have the chance to learn skills that can earn them a high paying job, but to also have skills on how to expand their means and be able to work if they choose.
I have no desire to spend the rest of my days after making a killing in real estate, on a beach with nothing to do.
What goal for you has the most clarity?
USMC
I did 5yrs. Was a Electronic Technician at MCAS New River. Been out now since May of 02. What about you? Well, I just make it a habit to talk to any Marines I come across. Good luck in REI and God bless. Semper Fi Jarhead.
Fear Not,
Jeff