A Veteran’s Start-up Guide to Investing in Real Estate: How to Practically Live for Free While Accumulating Assets and Wealth in the Biggest Housing Market in Human History

By Mario Meresbang

This book is my humble contribution to the knowledge base that veterans and civilians may need to help them with the American Dream.

I will be sharing my start-up experiences dabbling in real estate investments.

Chapter One presents a brief backgrounder about veterans in the USA. This section shows the unique opportunities granted to veterans, and how they can help expand the nation’s economy and create jobs for others. Chapter Two looks at the dreams and goals that motivate me to succeed. I present my definition of the American Dream, and why veterans are so essential in the pursuit of these dreams. Chapter Three presents the benefits available to veterans from the Federal, State, and city governments, and the private sector. Chapter Four is all about the Meresbang Experience, and the specific path I took to pursue my dreams. Chapter Five is my message to fellow veterans who just need the inspiration and motivation to get into the housing market. Lastly, the last section of the book provides resources and locations of what I think are good areas for investments, so you can begin working on your own dreams.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mario Meresbang
• Release date: Mar 21, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311034311

Mario Meresbang

Mario Meresbang is currently with the United States Coast Guard, with a rank of E-6/SK1 (Storekeeper First Class Petty Officer). He attained this position at a tender age of 26 in July, 2011.Mario joined the USCG in 2004, and trained at the U.S. Coast Guard Training Center at Cape May, New Jersey. Thereafter, he was assigned to the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Moray in Jonesport, Maine. He has also taken two assignments in California, and has been stationed in Missouri and Alaska. At present, Mario is taking his Bachelor's in Business Management at Grantham University.Born to Magellan Meresbang and Jeaneth Meresbang, Mario has three sisters and a younger brother. They were all born and raised in the island of Guam.Aside from dabbling in real estate investments, Mario’s early successes have allowed him to volunteer as a Big Brother and with the Special Olympics in Missouri. He has also been active with the Pantry Food Drive in Homer, Alaska.

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A Veteran’s Start-up Guide to Investing in Real Estate:

How to Practically Live for Free

While Accumulating Assets and Wealth

in the Biggest Housing Market

in Human History

by

Mario Meresbang

Copyright © 2015 Mario Meresbang

All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Mario Meresbang and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author's work.

DEDICATION

I would like to dedicate the book to my father, Magellan Meresbang and my mother Jeaneth Meresbang. My father taught me to always work hard, never complain, and to always help others. My mother taught me to be compassionate, kind, and respectful. Without them I would not be where I am now. Their strong work ethic and strong core values have guided me throughout life, and for that I am very grateful.

I also dedicate the book to all the men and women who are serving, and have served, the United States Armed Forces. Their courage, commitment, and valor have provided Americans freedom and liberty to enjoy.

Table of Contents

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION TO VETERAN LIFE

What is a veteran?

Showing appreciation to veterans

Opportunities available to veterans

Real estate for veterans

Business for veterans

CHAPTER 2: DREAMS, PURPOSES, AND GOALS

Defining the American Dream

Why the American Dream is so special to a veteran?

Why is it important for veterans to pursue the American Dream?

What needs to be done to achieve the American Dream?

When do you want to buy a house?

Where do you want to invest?

How do you invest?

With whom will you invest?

What is your purpose?

What are your goals?

CHAPTER 3: VETERANS’ BENEFITS

What benefits can veterans obtain from the Federal government?

Health Care Benefits

Service-Connected Disabilities

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

Pensions

Education and Training

Home Loan Guaranty

Life Insurance

Transition Assistance

Other Federal Benefits

Avoid unethical practices

What benefits can veterans obtain from the private sector?

Who are some of the most prominent veterans in business?

CHAPTER 4: THE MERESBANG EXPERIENCE: THE SPECIFIC PATH I TOOK

How I got into real estate?

First deal for a newbie

The deal up north

Back to the Golden State

Learning from history

Self-Assessment

Plan

Execute

Commitment

CHAPTER 5: THE INSPIRATION THAT VETERANS BRING TO THE HOUSING MARKET

PARTING WORDS

References

Banks and Financial Institutions that help Veterans

Websites for Veterans Investing in Real Estate

Selected Non-profit Organizations that help Veterans

Top 10 Military Friendly Cities

Top Ten Cities Where Veterans Can Make a Great Real Estate Investment

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I'd like to thank my three sisters, Meileen, Meilany, and Kayolany, for supporting me and encouraging me to continue my real estate endeavors, and supporting me in writing this book. I am very thankful for such loving and caring sisters.

I'd like to thank CG Retired Master Chief Kurt Rugenius for helping me develop to be a good leader. He taught me to be humble, to do the right thing, and never stop reaching for more. He was very instrumental in shaping my thoughts as a junior member of the Coast Guard.

I'd like to thank CG Retired Senior Chief Orlando Oliver for allowing me to grow as a junior Petty Officer by providing me opportunities to learn and become proficient in my craft.

I'd like to thank all the people working at USAA Federal Savings Bank. They are some of the hardest and most professional people I know who truly care about providing excellent service to military personnel. They are the reason I was able to purchase my first property. They provided information, recommendations, and great options.

Also would like to thank Summer Penet of Coldwell Banker and Glenda Feeken of ReMax for helping me with the real estate acquisition process. Without their expertise, I would have not been able to find the perfect real estate property.

The views expressed herein are those of the writer and are not to be construed as official or reflecting the views or policies of the Department of Homeland Security or that of the U.S. Coast Guard.

PREFACE

For a young man who was born and raised in the small island of Guam, doing business in the most successful experiment of capitalism provides me with a unique perspective of appreciating what life and liberty brings me. I’m not just referring to property or the pursuit of happiness but the profound understanding of how someone who grew up in the middle of the Pacific Ocean could pursue and achieve the great American Dream.

The Dream began with my parents. My father was a truck driver who worked behind the wheel eight to ten hours a day, six sometimes seven days straight. From him I learned the meaning of labor of love. My mother was a homemaker, an adoring woman who was, and still is, dedicated to giving the best quality of life to her brood. My family and I are very close. Three sisters served in the Armed Forces, and my youngest brother is still in high school. Our lives revolve around each other, and we are each other’s best friends.

My family shared the values of the community of Mangilao, a village on the eastern shore of the island. People in the area were also close knit. My parents’ friends and their friends got together during summer barbecues, weddings, anniversaries, and, of course, Christmas. Everyone made sure all the kids had the best education possible. We all went to the same schools. No one had any doubt we could all pursue the American Dream.

To achieve my dream, I started working at the age of 16. My first job was landscaping, using a lawnmower or weed wacker from 6am to 8pm. Needless to say, it was labor intensive. But it was also fun. I never regarded work as work. For me, the best thing to do was to make money for whatever I could do with my skills and abilities. It also allowed me to save money at a very young age. The results of my hard work showed me that I should enjoy the fruits of my labor.

Nothing was more satisfying than being able to go home, and give my mom a part of my earnings as my contribution to cover the family’s expenses. It was during this period in my life that my parents constantly reminded me about the American Dream. They told me to stop giving them my