Posted by Beth (CA-FL) on February 04, 2004 at 20:32:49:
Hi Brad:
I know of a very seasoned investor who started real estate investing when he was in college. Instead of renting a house to have with roommates, he bought one. Then he had roommates pay enough to cover the mortgage. He thought, wow this is cool.
This investor got his Bachelor degrees in Engineering and Architecture. He was raised to “get a degree, get a job.” But he was really enamoured with REI. He continued investing but focused on his “career,” getting his MBA also.
Then he became a R.E. broker who only handles commercial properties (large apartment complexes, office buildings, retail, etc.). He owns several warehouses, office complexes, etc.
His web site is www.stumpfandcompany.com
Ron Stumpf is his name and he is in the Fresno, CA area. If you can, it is worth the $40 to take the one day course he teaches through the local Adult School on a Saturday. Click “classes” on his site. Or if you have enough nerve, maybe he can take your call.
Do not give up getting a higher education. What you need to do is get your financial intelligence also in order. I suggest reading “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” by Robert Kiyosaki… read all his books, they should all be in the library.
This is the site for a national organization where you can find the real estate investing club in your area: http://www.nationalreia.com/
Try to attend a meeting to meet other investors you can learn from. Don’t be shy, when you see investors hanging around the snack area, listen to them… those who talk about their “deals” that sound interesting to you… introduce yourself and find out more about REI through them.
I wish I knew about REI when I was your age. A good job would be to work in a busy property management office and interface considerably with the investors they work for.
Good luck and keep us posted on what you learn… how you evolve.
Best regards,
Beth