Avian Gamers Network

I’m curious if anyone here has done some real estate investing? I am talking about rental property, flipping houses, buying land/lots for resale, subdivision development. Lately I am pondering starting a small business …something for Danyale to try. If she does well and shows the potential for margins greater than her current salary I will let her quit her bank job. Even if she breaks even I get some tax relief.

A quarter of my major in college was focused on residential construction. About a tenth of my major was focused on starting and running a business. I have the notes, files, books, and retained knowledge to do residential construction. However in school I focused on heavy industrial construction/engineering so it is not like I am a pro on the residential side of things even though I took the classes. Also real estate investing has a lot to do with real estate agent stuff (looking for bargains)... an area we did not cover in college.

Anyway, I’m looking for support, inside info, and guidance. We are reading books on the subject, doing research on the feasibility of this endeavor, testing our knowledge, exploring financing options, learning all we can, and writing a business plan…. But I believe nothing beats networking with people who know the business first hand. Thus I want to know if any of you have done this type of thing.

I have not done any real investing myself, however I did read a book you might find useful. Its called, "Rich Dad, Poor Dad." Its by some guy who made a ton during the real estate boom and he provides a lot of tips and examples of how he made money. From what I remember, its mostly all about finding the right sellers and the right buyers.

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Romsuiag (Brad)
Former and Third President of Avian

It's what I do for a living now. Most of you who have been around a while know I've been a mortgage broker for about 4 years now. I started buying properties last year, and have had pretty good success. I've made more in investing in a year than I have being a broker in the last 4 years I think.

Some things you need to know...

1. It's not as easy as the late night infomercials say.
2. Don't buy $1000 + programs/packages from people who say they know secrets. If the secret was that good, they'd be out using it, instead of selling it.
3. Find a local Real Estate Investment club and get in it. You'll likely have to pay a membership, but it's the best way to learn investing in your area.
4. Investing is different in every area of the country. What works here in Columbia SC, might not work in Louisiana (due mostly because we don't live in swampy backwoods treehouses here). seriously... it's different everywhere.


Look me up on WoW or something.. or PM me. I've give you some specifics on how to get started.

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"Perhaps the sentiments contained in the following pages, are not yet sufficiently fashionable to procure them general favor; a long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right, and raises at first a formidable outcry in defence of custom. But the tumult soon subsides." - Thomas Paine, Common Sense

For every 1 person that makes money flipping houses, about 15 go bankrupt.

It is a tricky business. If you have the know how with construction and dealing with contractors, you are in better shape than most of the idiots that try to pull it off.

Be VERY careful right now. There is a high chance that the housing market is going to take a dive of some degree in the near future, and buying a property, then investing in a flip can be deadly if the market collapses while you are still holding the note.

Just be cautious and use your head. Don't buy into someone trying to convince you how good a deal this or that property is.. if it was a great deal.. they would buy it. Again, use your head, not your heart.

Best of luck.