My life as a software engineer and church organist in LA
Greetings!
After being a student and unemployed for 7 months, I’m grateful that I’ve landed jobs in the tech and music industries.
I took a leap of faith to pursue a career in tech and I am grateful to be here.
New Career In Tech
Since February, I have been working as a software engineer at Re:Build Manufacturing. Rebuild was founded in 2020 by the former CEO of Amazon Worldwide Consumer, Jeff Wilke. The company aims to rekindle American industry by integrating new technologies into conventional manufacturing businesses.
I commute to the Downtown office Monday-Wednesday and work from home on Thursday and Friday. Luckily the commute is typically under 30 minutes around 7:15 am.
It has been challenging and humbling to be learning so much as a junior developer. In my first couple of months, I have grown in my ability to work on my own, ask the right questions for help, and of course, use Google :)
The majority of my daily responsibilities include coding new features and fixing bugs in a variety of languages and programming environments. Our applications solve real-world problems for our engineers, including applications that program drones and robotics.
Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Covina, CA
In addition to my day job at Re:Build Manufacturing, I am also Director of Music and Organist and Holy Trinity Church in Covina, CA.
Holy Trinity has a bilingual congregation and is a gem of a parish. I enjoy both the traditional Anglican choral service at 10:15 and the folk mass in Spanish at 12:15.
The choir consists of professional and volunteer singers and sings a varied repertoire from medieval chants to contemporary works. In addition to regular Sunday services, the choir presents special services of Evensong, Lessons and Carols, and Compline.
La Capilla de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, is the the stunning Lady Chapel and home to Spanish folk mass. I have enjoyed picking up the new skill of playing piano and singing in Spanish at the same time!
Life Goes On
Despite being busy with two jobs, I have found time to explore the natural beauty found in Southern California. I am also excited about upcoming projects outside of work and I hope to share more soon!
The Latest
For aspiring real estate investors, the BRRRR method—Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat—offers an accessible and scalable strategy to build long-term wealth. If you're curious about real estate investing but unsure where to start, this beginner’s guide will break down the BRRRR method into actionable steps, with tips to help you avoid common pitfalls.
When it comes to achieving financial freedom, one of the most reliable and proven strategies is real estate investing. Whether you're a seasoned investor or just starting, taking consistent action is the key to building wealth and creating passive income. In this post, I’ll share actionable tips to help you move forward in your journey, focusing on the lessons I’ve learned as a real estate investor and personal finance enthusiast.
Balancing a full-time job while pursuing real estate investing can feel like walking a tightrope, but it’s a path I’ve chosen to walk—and thrive on. My days start early, with the alarm pulling me out of bed and into my software engineering role by 7:00 am. This is where I spend most of my weekdays, coding, problem-solving, and collaborating until 3:30 pm. But the day doesn’t end when I log off from work. That’s when my second life kicks in: the life of an aspiring real estate investor.
Real estate wasn’t always on my radar as a path to financial growth. My first purchase was a condo in Charlotte, NC. At the time, it was simply a place to call home—a milestone that marked my transition into independent adulthood. Over three years, living in and managing that condo taught me more about property maintenance, market behavior, and what it means to own a piece of real estate. Little did I know, those years would become the bedrock of my future investing journey.
When it comes to APIs, REST and GraphQL are two of the most popular choices for developers building modern applications. Both offer unique strengths and trade-offs, so understanding the difference between them can help you choose the best one for your project. Let's explore what sets REST and GraphQL apart.
Investing in real estate is one of the best ways to grow wealth, and one often-overlooked advantage is depreciation. While real estate typically appreciates over time, the IRS allows investors to depreciate their properties, offering tax advantages that can improve cash flow. In this post, we’ll break down what depreciation is, how it works for both residential and commercial properties, and some key strategies to maximize its benefits.
As I set out on my real estate investment journey, I’m thrilled to begin with a duplex in Brooklyn Centre, Cleveland. This choice was based on more than just location—Brooklyn Centre combines historic charm, valuable amenities, and new community enhancements that position it as a promising place for investment. Here’s why I believe this neighborhood is ideal for my first property.
Investing in real estate is about more than just acquiring properties—knowing when and how to exit a deal is just as important. Whether you’re planning to sell, trade up, or refinance, choosing the right exit strategy can have a significant impact on your long-term returns and tax liabilities. In this post, we’ll explore some of the most common real estate exit strategies, including the 1031 exchange, refinancing, selling, and more, so you can make the best decisions for your investments.
As part of my ongoing education in real estate through UCLA Extension, I’ve recently delved deeper into one of the most critical aspects of real estate investment: financing. Understanding the variety of loan types is essential for any investor to make informed decisions. Whether you’re purchasing a property for the long-term or funding a construction project, the financing method you choose can significantly impact your cash flow, risk exposure, and long-term returns.
Here are the main lending options I’ve discovered so far…
Real estate investing is as much about understanding the financial landscape as it is about picking the right property. Whether you’re evaluating a potential buy-and-hold property or determining the profitability of a commercial project, having the right tools to analyze a deal is essential. Here are five of the most important metrics I’ve learned through my coursework and practical experience in real estate investing.
As part of my journey to become a proficient real estate investor, I’ve enrolled in a Real Estate Investment Certificate program at UCLA Extension, which includes four courses.
I’ve already completed the first course, Real Estate Investment Market Analysis, and I’m currently in week three of the Real Estate Investment Analysis course, with Real Estate Appraisal and Real Estate Finance coming up next.
Each course is designed to equip me with the analytical tools and financial insights needed to make smarter, data-driven investment decisions.
I’m a Los Angeles-based real estate investor and software engineer.
Real estate investment can feel like a mix of art and science. On one hand, it’s about understanding neighborhoods, negotiating deals, and having a vision for a property. On the other, data and technology can provide an edge that takes much of the guesswork out of the equation.
As a real estate investor and software engineer, I’ve found that combining traditional investing methods with tech tools can dramatically improve decision-making. Here’s how you can leverage data and technology to invest smarter and achieve better returns.