How I Got Started Investing in Real Estate

Tuesday, August 18th, 2009

Real Estate Investing It all started back in 2002, when I was on summer break from Clemson University . . .

I was living in Charleston with a couple buddies of mine. I worked as little as possible and was only concerned with having enough money to physically survive. In all of my spare time, you could find me at the Windjammer playing beach volleyball. I literally played every day for at least 4 or 5 hours. It was awesome!

Then one day, met a guy who was in his late twenties and owned 6 rental properties. He said that he made around $200/mo from each of his properties, that the tenants were paying down his mortgages, and that the properties had appreciated well since he purchased them.

I was thinking . . . “That’s what I’m talking about!”

Shortly thereafter, my buddies and I decided that the first logical step was to go to Barnes and Noble to buy some real estate investing books . . . the first step was to get educated.

I still remember how I felt after reading those first couple books. It was like a light was shining down from heaven saying, “This is it! This is what you’ve been looking for!”

I always knew that I didn’t like the mold society puts people in . . . go to school, get a good education, get a job and work for someone for the rest of your life. I always knew there had a be another way . . . but didn’t know what that way was . . . that is, until I found real estate investing.

One thing led to another after buying those first books . . . I got my hands on a Carleton Sheets course that my friend’s mom had collecting dust on her book shelf, I went to a seminar in Atlanta, and I bought my first property just a few months after reading that first book.

Soooooo, since I got my start in the real estate investing section at Barnes and Noble, I figured I would take you on a little trip to my local B & N to recommend a few good books to ya.

Check out my “hollywood” sunglasses . . . what do you think?

If you guys have any good real estate investing book suggestions, put them in the comment area . . .

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Tags: creative real estate investing, patrick riddle, real estate investing books, real estate investing video, Video

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JP Moses on August 19th, 2009 at 11:14 am

Hey, dude – those shades…..yeah….. :-)

So one of my favorites that really helped me wrap my mind around the fix and flip was “Buy It, Fix It, Sell It, Profit” (Meyers)

Kiyosaki’s Rich Dad, Poor Dad was the thing that originally got me started in REI. I’m not a fan of most of his other works, but RDPD should be required reading for everyone on the planet in my opinion.

Thanks for posting another great video, oh faux-hawked sherpa of the private money gathering!

…jp
JP Moses´s last blog ..567 Top Real Estate Investing Websites
Miami Beach Condos on August 19th, 2009 at 11:49 am

This is an inspiring article,

A great book to read is the Real Book on Real Estate by Robert Kiyosaki. It’s direct and educational. I also enjoy the books for Dummies, because they have plenty of material to reference along the way.
Ryan Thompson on August 19th, 2009 at 1:35 pm

Dude! That book my Peter Conti and David Finkel was one of my FAVORITES! Everything was so broken down and step by step. Very good writers. I’d say if you’re a real estate investor that’s so flat broke, go get THAT book!

I also liked the Rich dad, Poor Dad book; but I agree with JP that the other stuff Kiyosaki had wasn’t really my cup of tea.

Nice post! Keep rockin’ those $12 shades! ;)

-Ryan
Ryan Thompson´s last blog ..Computers – When Did I Get Hooked?
Patrick Riddle on August 19th, 2009 at 2:21 pm

Thanks for the book suggestion JP!

Ryan … I agree totally with you about the Conti and Finkel books. I have always thought their books were like buying a course but for only like $15 bucks instead of a few hundred.

I’ll keep rocking the shades guys …

~ Patrick
Nim on August 19th, 2009 at 5:16 pm

The art of the deal by donald trump

very good read
wilma&william on August 20th, 2009 at 12:59 am

What can we say , this is all great stuff!!!!!

VegasRabbit Looking For A Home

This sound and looks great , but need to purchase something !!!
Dave Ravnikar on August 29th, 2009 at 9:04 am

Patrick,

Excellent! I love the real-time vid in B&N! You continue to bring good, useful content to the REI readers out there!
Patrick Riddle on August 30th, 2009 at 8:07 pm

Hey Nim … thanks for the book suggestion. That’s a good one.

I appreciate the compliment Dave. Thanks for being an active member here and contributing …

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