Before the most well-known real estate moguls were moguls, they were rookie investors with a dream. While it took vision to get them to where they are today, they wouldn’t be successful without goals and a plan to achieve their goals. Tony and Ashley, two investing tycoons in their rights, use today’s episode to reflect on their goals from 2022 and start thinking about goals for 2023. One of the most important parts of goal setting is the plan to get your goals accomplished. A goal without a plan is just an unattainable dream, but with a plan, your dreams can become your reality. So how do you intentionally set a goal? You turn your goal into a SMART goal. SMART goals are more achievable since you measure them, and when you start seeing results, it encourages you to keep going and accomplish them. Goals give you something to work towards, but sometimes you don’t meet them, and that’s okay. The beautiful thing is that they can roll over. Missed your goal this year? Try again next year! Tony and Ashely both fell short on a few of their goals for 2022, but that didn’t discourage them. Develop a growth mindset, and a missed goal can turn into an opportunity. So join Tony and Ashely, pull out a notepad, write down your goals and make 2023 the year that everything changes. Links from the Show Find an Investor-Friendly Real Estate Agent Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group Real Estate Rookie Podcast BiggerPockets Bookstore Airbnb Upwork PropStream Alpha Geek Capital Monday.com Find Money, Partners, & Deals Using The “D.A.D System” w/ Mike Michalowicz Real Estate Rookie Youtube Channel The Science Behind Setting and Achieving Big Goals Connect with Ashley and Tony: Ashley's Instagram Ashley's BiggerPockets Profile Tony's Instagram Tony's BiggerPockets Profile Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-239 Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Section 8 investing isn’t as scary as it seems. Most landlords will opt to not rent to section 8 tenants, fearing non-payment or just getting stuck with a bad renter. But, this means that the tens of thousands of potential tenants, waiting with guaranteed rent, have nowhere to stay, while you struggle to fill an empty unit. Ashley Hamilton, Detroit-based investor, thinks that not renting to section 8 tenants could be a huge mistake. Welcome back to this week’s Rookie Reply! This time, we’ve got Cullen asking: Is it a bad idea to invest in properties out of state where the housing market is cheaper and more affordable for us? Or would it be better to save more money and invest in the market we are currently living in? Good news for Cullen, we’ve got a cash flow market expert here to help answer his question! If you want Ashley and Tony to answer a real estate question, you can post in the Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group! Or, call us at the Rookie Request Line (1-888-5-ROOKIE). In This Episode We Cover Cash flow vs. appreciation and when to start investing out-of-state Buying in affordable real estate markets and what to look for before you invest Section 8 investing and how “guaranteed rent” can help boost your property profits Action steps to take when identifying a rental market or potential investment property Tenant screening tips that’ll keep your portfolio at 100% occupancy The one thing you’ll need if you want to be financially free through real estate And So Much More! Links from the Show Find an Investor-Friendly Real Estate Agent Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group BiggerPockets MLS The BiggerPockets Real Estate Podcast Real Estate Rookie Podcast 10 Deals on a $20K Waitress Salary With Ashley Hamilton Investor Update: The “10 Deals on $20K/Year” Investor’s Explosive Growth BiggerPockets Forums BiggerPockets Calculators Connect with Ashley: Ashley's Instagram Ashley's BiggerPockets Profile Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-238 Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The beautiful thing about building wealth is there’s not just one way to reach your financial goals. This is where your creativity and ambition come into play. Today’s guest, Daniel Schiermeyer, built his residential portfolio and then leveraged that to buy businesses, with more ways to cash flow than we can count! Daniel started getting into real estate after college when he read The Automatic Millionaire. He prioritized living cheaper, and in Charlotte, it was cheaper to buy a house than to rent, so he bought his first house at twenty-nine. With a thirty-year mortgage on his first house, Daniel realized if he bought a house every year or two, by the time he was sixty, he could pay off all the houses and have a strong retirement plan. His real estate portfolio consists of two townhomes, a duplex, a self-storage facility, and businesses to boot! Sticking to residential real estate was the plan until Daniel drove by a car wash for sale with his brother. His brother encouraged him to pursue it, so they called the number on the “For Sale” sign. Once they talked to the broker, ran the numbers, and walked the property, they realized the numbers made sense. Now, he’s got a cash-flowing car wash and residential and commercial real estate all while chasing financial freedom!  In This Episode We Cover Using real estate to build a retirement plan and why real estate is the ultimate payday Analyzing commercial real estate deals and how to determine potential growth Purchasing land vs. purchasing a business and why it’s beneficial to buy both How to run a business and why self-education is essential Self-storage investing 101 and how to create value in the self-storage space Building a real estate investing business plan and the key things you need to succeed And So Much More! Links from the Show Find an Investor-Friendly Real Estate Agent Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram Airbnb Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group Monday.com BiggerPockets LoopNet BizBuySell MLS $13M in Equity from One Deal & Cash Flowing Despite Being Comatose with AJ Osborne AJ Osborne’s Instagram The BiggerPockets Real Estate Podcast Self Storage: The Misunderstood Money Maker Most Investors Overlook 4 Key Ways to Build Wealth in Real Estate Connect with Daniel: Daniel's Instagram Daniel's Facebook Profile Daniels BiggerPockets Profile Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-237 Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pace Morby’s name is synonymous with creative financing. In fact, you could say that he’s brought back a revival of strategies like subject to and seller financing. He’s been so successful with these strategies that Pace has been able to buy over six hundred rental units this year without using a single bank loan! He believes that now, even with rising interest rates and high inflation, rookie investors have a chance to get better deals than ever before! Welcome to this week’s episode, where we’re live from BPCon2022! We’ve brought in Pace Morby, friend of BiggerPockets, to talk about everything related to creative finance. If you’re brand new to this topic, don’t be alarmed. While some of Pace’s methods may sound complicated, they aren’t actually so difficult in practice. And in just one episode with Pace, you could be convinced to try them out on your next deal! Pace shares how he’s finding deals, where he’s buying, the negotiation tactics he uses, and why now may be one of the best times to buy. He also discusses why sellers are so open to trying alternative financing options, how you can pick up real estate deals for zero dollars down, and why creative finance options offer far better returns than bank financing in 2022, 2023, and beyond! In This Episode We Cover Creative finance explained and why now is a great time to try it Seller financing vs. subject to, and when to go after pain vs. gain How creative financing builds a win-win scenario for buyers and sellers Whether or not rising interest rates and a shaky housing market affect these strategies Negotiating with a seller and how to sweeten your offers so you get deals on your terms Where to find the deals best-suited for seller financing and subject to And So Much More! Links from the Show Find an Investor-Friendly Real Estate Agent Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group Zillow MLS Airbnb Craigslist Kelly Blue Book OfferUp Facebook Marketplace Leasetrader Opendoor LandWatch ListSource PropStream Weststar Loan Servicing AirDNA 300 Doors, 100% Creative Financing with Pace Morby The Essential Elements of the Creative Financing Toolbox Connect with Pace: Pace's Instagram Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-236 Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To have something you’ve never had, you have to be willing to do something you’ve never done before. Today’s guests, Amy Wright and Mitch Mathern are doing something most people haven’t seen before, a twist on the BRRRR method. They’ve closed on three properties in three years, and all their properties are over 100 years old! Amy and Mitch started their real estate journey right before COVID and went into contract on their first property in February 2020. They started investing when Amy was fresh out of college, and with no money to buy an investment property, they bought a primary residence instead. Since they purchased the home as a primary residence, they used an FHA loan and came to the closing table with only $7,000! Their first property marked the beginning of their strategy: purchase as a primary, rehab, and rent—the PRR. But buying older homes isn’t a drawback to this strategy, it’s a benefit! Amy and Mitch refer to themselves as restorers instead of flippers. While they rehab their homes, they do their best to keep the character and history alive. Their unique strategies have helped them differentiate themselves in their market and succeed. They hope to keep up their current pace of one property a year and eventually increase the number of properties per year as they continue to scale. In This Episode We Cover The benefits of a live in flip and how to pace yourself when doing the rehab FHA lending and how to take advantage of all its benefits when you first get into real estate How to spot renovation red flags when walking a potential property and how to DIY your rehab Investing in older homes and how to rehab an outdated property while keeping its history alive How to attract a top-tier tenant and screening tips that will save you a LOT of time How to structure your “buy box” and shift it as needed so you can grow your real estate portfolio faster And So Much More! Links from the Show Find an Investor-Friendly Real Estate Agent Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group Real Estate Rookie Podcast RentRedi Zillow BiggerPockets Pro MLS 6 Ways to Invest in Real Estate with Little Money or Experience Connect with Amy & Mitch: Amy & Mitch's Instagram Amy's BiggerPockets Profile   Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-235 Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Before you invest in real estate, everything can seem new and confusing. Bidding on houses, renovation budgets, finding tenants—these are all skill sets you must acquire to become a financially independent real estate investor. But that doesn’t mean you need to be a pro before buying your first property. Just ask Brittany Arnason, AKA InvestorGirlBritt, the Canadian real estate superstar who started BRRRR-ing her way to wealth at just eighteen. We brought Britt onto the show to help us dive deeper into a question we received on the Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group. This question came from JP, asking: How do you network and partner with more experienced investors when you feel you have nothing to add value?  Most investors never feel like they know enough, and this is especially true if you’ve never done a deal before. But, Britt may serve as the perfect person to share her experience with JP, as she went from knowing nothing about real estate to becoming a multi-million dollar commercial investor all before the age of thirty! If you want Ashley and Tony to answer a real estate question, you can post in the Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group! Or, call us at the Rookie Request Line (1-888-5-ROOKIE).  In This Episode We Cover Why ability often trumps experience and understanding that you don’t need to know everything all at once How food poisoning turned into a rental property portfolio for InvestorGirlBritt Outsourcing, delegating, and hiring the people that can help you grow Surrounding yourself with better investors that push you higher so you can build your own portfolio Imposter syndrome and why almost every investor does NOT feel like an expert Content creation, digital detoxes, and why you should always be building an online brand  And So Much More! Links from the Show Find an Investor-Friendly Real Estate Agent Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group Real Estate Rookie Podcast The 7 Tips @investorgirlbritt Used to Go from Amateur to Pro Investor How to Become a Real Estate Millionaire (NO Experience Necessary) Connect with Brittany: Britanny's BiggerPockets Profile Britanny's Instagram Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-234 Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The path to financial freedom is a marathon, not a sprint. It requires patience, discipline, sacrifice, and a long-term mindset. Today’s guest, Logan Kohn, is on his way to financial freedom with over one million dollars of real estate with three properties at only twenty-one years old! Logan planned to invest in real estate later in life, but COVID forced him to rethink his timeline. Since interest rates were at an all-time low during the pandemic and his income took a hit, Logan decided to expedite his investing journey. For his first investment property, he looked at his county, but it wasn’t affordable, so he looked at the next county over. It wasn’t the best area, but he saw the opportunity for growth, and now his first property has already appreciated over thirty percent! Logan bought his first property and his other two properties in the span of one year, which required extreme financial discipline and frugality. Logan has been interested in growing his money since he was a child. From the age of ten to the end of his teenage years, he started various side hustles to make money. He’s done magic on the street, dropshipping, affiliate marketing, and email marketing. At seventeen, he discovered stocks and started stacking his money and letting it grow. Now he invests his money while having few expenses to be as frugal as possible so he can multiply his wealth through real estate! In This Episode We Cover How to spot a growing market through real estate market analysis The importance of a long-term mindset and how to use it to find financial freedom  Living frugally and how to cut back on your expenses (it’s easier than you think!) The process of self-managing your rental properties and building good rapport with your tenants Flood Insurance and insurance options for those affected by Hurricane Ian And So Much More! Links from the Show Find an Investor-Friendly Real Estate Agent Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group Real Estate Rookie Podcast Channel Biggerpockets Facebook Groups BiggerPockets Forums Designing a Frugal But Luxurious FI Life by Age 32 Should You Self-Manage Your Properties or Hire a Pro? Here’s How to Tell Connect with Logan: Logan's BiggerPockets Profile Logan's Instagram Logan's Youtube Channel Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-233 Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Medium-term rentals are not new to real estate investing, but most investors have hardly heard of them. For years, corporate travelers would rent a room, apartment, or small property for a year or less. These travelers would pay a premium to avoid long-term leases and stay close to their work. But, with the rise of traveling nurses and digital nomads, the medium-term rental strategy is in a revival when investors need it most. Joining us on today’s show are investors, coaches, and authors, Sarah Weaver and Zeona McIntyre. Their new book, 30-Day Stay, is a masterclass in the wonderful world of medium-term rentals, walking new investors through everything they need to double their cash flow almost overnight. This strategy sounds too good to be true, but even a short-term rental king like Tony Robinson says that he’s intrigued. So is there a catch to this no vacancy, high cash flow, and often headache-free type of housing? In this episode, you’ll learn the pros (and very limited cons) of investing in medium-term rentals. You’ll also hear which markets this strategy works best in, what type of software you’ll need to run one, and how medium-term rentals are starting to rival vacation rentals! If you’re looking for an investment with a high ROI, that doesn't need to be minutes from a beach, this strategy is for you! In This Episode We Cover The medium-term rental strategy explained and why it’s become so popular in 2023 Short-term rental regulations and whether or not they affect medium-term rentals How to analyze a medium-term rental and what to look for in an investing area Tenant screening tips and building your lease agreements for medium-term tenants Which real estate markets work best for medium-term rentals (and which to avoid) Running your medium-term rental hands-free and the best software picks to choose And So Much More! Links from the Show Find an Investor-Friendly Real Estate Agent Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram Airbnb Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group Real Estate Rookie Podcast Semi-Retired at 30 Thanks to One Year’s Worth of Real Estate Investing Early Retirement Through Short-Term Rental Properties with Zeona McIntyre W2 Retired and Traveling the World with Just 15 Units w/Sarah Weaver PriceLabs AirDNA Furnished Finder Vrbo Hospitable Google voice Facebook Groups Monday.com Trello Asana Avail Connect with Sarah & Zeona: Sarah's Instagram Sarah's BiggerPockets Profile Zeona's Instagram Zeona's BiggerPockets Profile Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-232 Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If early retirement seems out of reach right now, try semi-retirement. Once you get there, you’ll only be halfway to early retirement, just like today’s guest, Jessie Dillion. At only thirty years old, she is semi-retired and has scaled her real estate portfolio to almost two million dollars in nine months, with five properties total! When people think about high returns, they often think about a high unit count—but why have a lot when you can do the same with a few? Jessie is strategic about each property purchase she makes and has made a goal to make one smart investment each quarter. She currently has a single-family home and two duplexes. One of her duplexes is a house hack, and her portfolio sports a mix of long-term, short-term, and mid-term tenants. Jessie’s success is due to how responsible she is with her finances. To finance her first property, she built up her savings to ensure she had enough to cover any surprises. As Jessie continues to scale, she has gotten more creative with her financing. She has formed great relationships with her lenders because of her ability to ask questions and carefully choose where and how she gets her funding. Now she is semi-retired at thirty years old and pays a measly fifty dollars a month towards her mortgage! In This Episode We Cover The FIRE movement and how to start your early retirement journey today How to use transferable skills from other jobs to make investing easier Building trust with your spouse and getting them on board with your investing journey Getting the funding for your first rental property and how to use creative financing for the rest Brilliant savings tips and how to rapidly increase your savings The loan process and how to build a strong relationship with lenders And So Much More! Links from the Show Find an Investor-Friendly Real Estate Agent Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group On the Market Podcast Jamil Damji's BiggerPockets Profile Pace Morby's Instagram Brittany Arnason's Instagram Ashley Hamilton's Biggerpockets Profile 10 Deals on a $20K Waitress Salary With Ashley Hamilton Rachel Richard's Instagram Henry Washington's Instagram Zillow Furnished Finder Craigslist Facebook Groups AirDNA PriceLabs Data.rabbu Monday.com Connect with Jessie: Jessie's BiggerPockets Profile Jessie's Instagram Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-231 Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is the 1% rule in real estate still relevant? Who shouldn’t be buying turnkey rentals? And why is an escrow account favorable for scaling real estate investors? All these questions and more are coming up in this Rookie Reply. We’re back at BPCon 2022, and joining us is fellow investor and turnkey operator, Zach Lemaster. You may have heard Zach’s episode on the BiggerPockets Real Estate Podcast or maybe you’ve used his turnkey company, Rent to Retirement, before! Zach helps us answer an array of questions, some from semi-passive turnkey investors and some from active investors. We touch on investor lines of credit and how to secure them, the 1% rule’s relevance in 2022, whether or not to get preapproved before finding a deal, buying off-market, and much more! Zach also poses three questions every investor should ask BEFORE investing in turnkey rentals. If you want Ashley and Tony to answer a real estate question, you can post in the Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group! Or, call us at the Rookie Request Line (1-888-5-ROOKIE). In This Episode We Cover Where to find investor lines of credit and which banks are your best bet Should you get an appraisal on an off-market property? The 1% rule explained and how it’s holding up in 2022 (and beyond) Escrow accounts and which types of investors should optionally enroll in them Who should (and shouldn’t) invest in turnkey rentals and the questions you should ask your turnkey provider And So Much More! Links from the Show Find an Investor-Friendly Real Estate Agent Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram BiggerPockets Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group Real Estate Rookie Podcast How “Turnkey” Rentals Can Help You Build Real Estate Riches Faster The One Mistake That Almost Put My House in Foreclosure Rent to Retirement BiggerPockets Calculator Connect with Zach: Zach's BiggerPockets Profile Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-230 Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your network can be your most powerful tool inside and outside of real estate. Today’s guest, Ryan John, started his real estate investing journey after seeing his friends succeed in the investing space—including his childhood friend, Ashley Kehr. Ryan has been in the real estate game for a year and a half and has closed on two off-market deals—a house hack and a duplex.  As all rookies know, trying to find and close on your first deal can be a mix of emotions. From excitement to fear to anxiousness and fulfillment, you go through various emotions when trying something you’ve never done before. While Ryan wanted to get started right away, he experienced a lot of nervousness regarding his first deal—waking up at three in the morning, scared he was missing something. But, unlike many other investors, he didn’t allow this to deter him from accomplishing his goals. Ryan prefers off-market deals because he doesn’t have to go through a realtor. An off-market deal requires more legwork but often comes with significantly better numbers. Becoming an investor has also given Ryan the freedom to make big life changes. Ryan went to his first real estate investor meetup and met investors with a wide range of experience. After attending, an incident at work prompted him to quit. Since he lives below his means and has cash-flowing rentals, he has the time and ability to breathe and explore his options before deciding his next steps. In This Episode We Cover How to overcome analysis paralysis and the fear of your first deal The pros and cons of off-market deals and how to find them in today’s market How to buy a small multi-family property and why they’re worth investing in House hacking 101 and how to make money using unused space on your property or in your home Time value vs. opportunity cost and how to know when it’s time to outsource The power of real estate meetups and being surrounded by motivated investors And So Much More! Links from the Show Find an Investor-Friendly Real Estate Agent Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram Airbnb Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group The Real Estate Podcast Real Estate Rookie Podcast RentRedi Connect with Ryan: Ryan's BiggerPockets Profile Ryan's Instagram Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-229 Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A cash offer almost always gets a seller's attention. Whether someone comes in low or high, the prospect of a smooth closing without any loan contingencies is often more than enough to get a deal done. But what if you don’t have stacks of cash lying around? Maybe you’re trying to get your first rental property or house hack with a conventional, FHA, or VA loan. How do you set yourself apart from the hotshot who roles in and offers all cash without any appraisal necessary? Worry not because Ashley and Tony have done it dozens of times before. Welcome back to this week’s Rookie Reply, where we take questions directly from Instagram, Facebook, the BiggerPockets Forums, and our Rookie Request Line. This week, we talk about how to beat cash offers, what to do when tenants in the same property start disputing, and appraisal tips to get your home valued higher. We also touch on how to network, make better connections, and build genuine relationships with other investors in your area! If you want Ashley and Tony to answer a real estate question, you can post in the Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group! Or, call us at the Rookie Request Line (1-888-5-ROOKIE). In This Episode We Cover What to do when an appraisal comes back lower than you expected Using comps (comparable properties) to boost your home’s value in an appraiser’s eye Handling tenant disputes, and whether or not you’re liable if the argument gets physical The three things that motivate a seller when listing a property (and how to use them to get better deals) Beating cash buyers and using speed and price to your advantage Networking tips for new investors (even if you’ve never been to a real estate meetup) And So Much More! Links from the Show Airbnb BiggerPockets Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group Real Estate Rookie Podcast On the Market Podcast Thanks for Visiting Podcast Vrbo MLS Connect with Ashley and Tony: Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-228 Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who says you can’t have it all? The career, the love, the wealth—it can all be yours if you want it and work for it. Today’s guest, Mackenzie Grate, works hard so she can have it all. Working full-time as an assistant middle school principal, Mackenzie spends her nights and weekends as a real estate investor and agent. She owns two single-family homes, a fourplex, a duplex, a short-term rental, and her primary residence.  Mackenzie’s real estate investing journey started in 2017. While living in her apartment, she rented out her extra room and decided to buy a home once rent prices became a little too high to handle. From there, she started looking for her first deal by googling the three fastest-growing job markets in New York. She then chose the market she wanted to invest in, asked a friend to go upstate with her, and started driving for dollars. She put in an offer on the first house she saw and closed on the home. But was she doing it alone? There is a common misconception that when you invest with a significant other, they have to be involved to be on board. Mackenzie’s relationship with her husband proves that involvement doesn’t equate to support. He supports what she’s doing, but he isn’t an active part of her investing journey, and for them, that works. He shows support by doing other everyday tasks at home, giving Mackenzie more time to work and pursue real estate. This freed-up time is essential for Mackenzie as she juggles all her endeavors and earns her nickname, the "Mack of All Trades." In This Episode We Cover The pros and cons of getting your real estate license and how to determine whether becoming an agent is for you The benefits of owning a co-op and what it means to “own a share” of a building How to find and capitalize on emerging markets that have strong rental demand Investing with a spouse and how to find the right balance for your relationship Property management vs. self-management and how to weigh the pros and cons for both Managing a short-term rental and automating your processes to become the ultimate host And So Much More! Links from the Show Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram Airbnb BiggerPockets Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group The Real Estate Podcast BiggerPockets Forums Real Estate Rookie Podcast Zoom RentRedi Digital Nomad-ing and Answering All Your FIRE Healthcare Questions w/ Amy & Tim from GoWithLess Connect with Mackenzie: Mackenzie's Instagram Mackenzies BiggerPockets Profile Mackenzie's Website Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-227 Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As a new investor, financing can come with a lot of questions. Financing your first property itself seems like a steep learning curve, but once you find a method that works for you, it makes investing a lot easier. Welcome back to this week’s Rookie Reply. But, instead of just answering one question, we’ll be going over multiple to get you on the fastest path to investing in real estate. Today, we’re touching on topics like how much money you'll need to invest in your first property, how to build a lease, recommendations for financing without a W2, and how rising interest rates affect investors. Before you invest, understanding the market you want to invest in is essential. You also have to understand the expenses that come with your property. Once you know these two things, you’ll have a more accurate estimate of your costs. A perk that comes with investing is that the money doesn’t have to be yours. Whether you decide to take out a conventional mortgage loan or partner with another investor, you can creatively finance your deal to have less money come out of your pocket! If you want Ashley and Tony to answer a real estate question, you can post in the Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group! Or, call us at the Rookie Request Line (1-888-5-ROOKIE). In This Episode We Cover How to understand the market you’re investing in, the average cost of a property, and the range of expenses you can expect Safety reserves and how much to have on hand before you buy a property Creative financing methods that will lessen the amount of capital you’ll need to close Financing without a traditional W2 and how small banks, mortgage brokers, and co-signers can be your best friends Easily building your perfect lease using the BiggerPockets lease agreements! And So Much More! Links from the Show Airbnb BiggerPockets BiggerPockets Calculator Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group Real Estate Rookie Podcast What Makes Rookies Into Millionaires? Quitting What You Hate! BiggerPockets Forums Policygenius BiggerPockets Pro RentRedi Biggerpockets Bootcamps Connect with Ashley and Tony: Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-226 Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Life is unpredictable, and there's no way to get around that. Instead, you have to learn to pivot and accept where you are, so you can get to where you're going. Today’s guest, Josiah Hein, was hit with life’s unpredictability when he was in a car accident with a drunk driver, resulting in damage to his neck and back. Josiah could have easily used the accident as a reason to give up, but instead, he took it as an opportunity to pivot and build another business. Josiah has closed on three deals, including a tiny home that alone cash flows $6,000 a month! Josiah's first business required strenuous physical labor, so after his accident, he couldn't work as much. He used his newfound time to start learning about real estate. He had always considered real estate as a long-term retirement plan, but his plan suddenly got expedited. He started investing right before COVID by converting his old house into a rental property. His portfolio also includes an out-of-state property and a tiny home. He was inspired to invest out-of-state after reading David Greene’s Long-Distance Real Estate Investing. After five months of researching to find an out-of-state market, he settled on Tulsa, Oklahoma. He also has a lucrative tiny home bringing in some serious cash flow every month! In This Episode We Cover Using a setback as a setup and how to pivot when life gets unpredictable Finding “hot” markets and what criteria to look for Doing a profitable cash-out refinance and the BRRRR strategy Self-managing short-term rental properties and using listing sites like Airbnb to rent out your property Tiny homes 101 and the benefits that go beyond having a mini-mortgage Buying out-of-state investment properties and how to manage your rental remotely And So Much More! Links from the Show Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram Airbnb BiggerPockets BiggerPockets Calculator Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group The Real Estate Podcast BiggerPockets Forums Real Estate Rookie Podcast Play the Game or Get Played: Using Paternal Instincts to Close on 17 Units Zillow The Real Estate Robinsons Youtube Channel Vrbo CDS Rental Calculator Robuilt’s Tiny Houses That are Cashing in MASSIVE Profits Every Month Connect with Josiah: Josiah's Instagram Josiah's BiggerPockets Profile Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-225 Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Real estate investing is known for one thing: cash flow. No matter who you talk to, investors always seem to be hypnotized by this single metric. Rookie investors love to chase after cash flow and cash flow only—often completely disregarding the much more lucrative benefits of real estate investing for the shiny object of monthly profits getting deposited into your account. But, if you’re buying, analyzing, and negotiating deals based on cash flow only, you could be making a huge mistake. In the new book Real Estate by the Numbers, Dave Meyer and J Scott, both veteran investors in their own regards, give you the numbers behind the NOI and show how real estate will make you rich in much more ways than one. They give you the exact calculations, framework, and mindset to use when analyzing real estate deals, and will show you how you can build wealth faster, smarter, and with less effort than the cash-flow-crazed investor down the street. On today’s show, Dave and J walk through the four ways that investors can build wealth through real estate, which questions real estate rookies should start asking, and debate whether or not the 2022 housing market is one worth buying in. Real estate rookie or not, this show will give you everything you need to start chasing better deals with hidden profits others are too blind to find. In This Episode We Cover Why real estate rookies should grab the new book, Real Estate by the Numbers Recessions, interest rates, and whether or not 2022 is a good year to buy real estate The four ways to generate wealth through real estate investing (it’s more than cash flow) Questions real estate rookies should ask when analyzing their first real estate deals Real estate tax deductions and how investors can pay almost no income tax  How to “force” appreciation so you can increase equity faster and walk away with a big payday And So Much More! Links from the Show Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram Airbnb BiggerPockets BiggerPockets Calculator Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group The Real Estate Podcast Real Estate Rookie Podcast On the Market Podcast BiggerPockets Business Podcast BiggerPockets Bookstore How to Become a Real Estate Millionaire (NO Experience Necessary) What Works (and Doesn’t) in a Recession & the Untold Story of J Scott’s Messy First Flip Connect with Dave and J: Dave's Instagram Dave's BiggerPockets Profile J's Instagram J's BiggerPockets Profile J's Website Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-224 Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you pay attention, you’ll notice there is a game being played. The sooner you realize this, the sooner you can play to win. The game of life has various components, but the top one percent has mastered the game of money and finance. Once you start playing, your financial fear becomes irrelevant. After all, it is a game—and you’re supposed to have fun. Today’s guest, Nick Troutman, started playing the game after his second child was born. His fatherly instinct kicked in, and he had a deep desire to provide. He started researching investing, money, and finance—his friend recommended BiggerPockets, and the rest was history. Now, Nick has four rental properties with seventeen units, including a nine-unit apartment. As a professional athlete, Nick is on the road for six to ten months, which exposes him to various housing markets. This exposure helped him narrow down his scope of locations to invest in. Ultimately he decided to invest in Tennessee and Georgia. Nick’s open and optimistic approach to life has helped him create his dream life as a father, husband, professional athlete, and investor. In This Episode We Cover The “game” of money and finance and how to play to win Overcoming provider syndrome and how to use it to your advantage The BRRRR Method and why it’s one of the best ways to get into real estate What to consider before investing in a new market and why you should invest in familiar markets Price-to-rent ratio and making sure you’re charging the right amount for rent Fear vs. danger analysis and how to use it to start eliminating fear in your life And So Much More! Links from the Show Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram MLS Airbnb BiggerPockets BiggerPockets Calculator Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group 16 Units in 3 States as a BiggerPockets Power Couple Working Full-Time BiggerPockets Instagram The Real Estate Podcast BiggerPockets Forums Zillow App Real Estate Rookie Podcast Connect with Nick: Nick's Instagram Nick's Podcast Nick's BiggerPockets Profile Great Family Adventure's Instagram Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-223 Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A rental property falling into foreclosure is a sad sign. “What happened to that landlord?” you might ask. Did a tenant do extensive damage, leaving them with a too burdensome repair bill? Did the landlord forget to pay their mortgage? What could have caused this? Well, if you’re like Ashley Kehr, someone else may have caused your home to (almost) slide into foreclosure, without you knowing. Welcome back to this week’s Rookie Reply. Wait, scratch that. This week’s Rookie Confession, featuring our own Ashley Kehr! Many listeners know Ashley as a fast-moving, quick-thinking, real-life monopoly player, but in this episode, she opens up about a mistake that almost lost her multiple properties. It was an easy real estate mistake to make, but even veterans in the game get caught now and again. Want to avoid what happened to Ashley? Tune into this episode! If you want Ashley and Tony to answer a real estate question, you can post in the Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group! Or, call us at the Rookie Request Line (1-888-5-ROOKIE).  Links from the Show Real Estate Rookie Podcast Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group BiggerPockets Real Estate Rookie Youtube Channel Airbnb BiggerNews March: How a Surge of Foreclosures Will Impact the Housing Market w/Auction.com’s Daren Blomquist Rookie Reply: How Do I Estimate Property Taxes? Connect with Ashley and Tony: Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-222 Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’re hesitant to start your real estate investing journey, ask yourself this—where would you be now if you started ten years ago, and where could you be in ten years if you started today? As today’s guest, Brandon Rush, said, “everything you enjoy today, is the result of something you did five to ten years ago.” Brandon currently has three multi-family homes with a total of ten units.  Brandon started his investing journey when he couldn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel with his W-2. He couldn’t imagine himself working a nine-to-five until sixty-five, so he decided to take his future into his own hands and started house hacking. After two years of hard work and planning, he was able to quit his W-2 a month ago to be a full-time real estate agent. Brandon’s success is not without sacrifice. He moved out of his single-family home and moved an hour away from work for his first house hack. And, of course, after his first house hack, he moved to his second house hack! Moving required Brandon and his wife to get rid of most of their things and travel lightly. Although moving and getting rid of material things can be difficult, for Brandon, getting rid of clutter helped clear his mind and reinforced the idea that he was on the right path. Brandon is confident in his investing choices because he surrounds himself with like-minded people, has built an investor-friendly network, and knows that all his decisions now will benefit his future self. In This Episode We Cover House hacking 101—how to get started and why it’s a great way to start investing How to build an investor-friendly network and the importance of surrounding yourself with like-minded people Self-managing your tenants—how to set boundaries and expectations from the start Creating your lease agreement and how to properly screen tenants Why cash flow is the most overrated metric of success and how to accurately measure your property's performance And So Much More! Links from the Show Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram MLS Airbnb BiggerPockets Facebook Marketplace Realtor.com BiggerPockets Calculator TenantCloud Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group Connect with Brandon: Brandon's Facebook Brandon's Instagram Brandon's BiggerPockets Profile Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-221 Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week’s question comes from Jerry through Ashley’s Instagram direct messages. Jerry is asking: I’ve finally made the plunge and bought three investment properties. After I rehab, rent, and refinance them, where can I get more money to invest? Is there a type of loan for investors or do I need to look into a hard money lender? Rental property loans are aplenty if you’ve found the right deal. Most veteran investors already know that once you have a good deal, it isn’t hard to find the money to fund it. But, before you build your rental property portfolio, you’ll need to know which options are out there. Don’t worry, you won’t need to spend months or years saving up for another large down payment. There are quicker ways to build a cash-flowing portfolio. Here are some suggestions: Go the commercial lending route and look into DSCR (debt service coverage ratio) loans Partner with another investor or a private money lender to finance your next down payment Cash-out refinance from your previous properties and recycle that money into your next deal Once you have some investing experience, reach out to hard money lenders and ask for their terms and rates And more in the episode… If you want Ashley and Tony to answer a real estate question, you can post in the Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group! Or, call us at the Rookie Request Line (1-888-5-ROOKIE).  Links from the Show Real Estate Rookie Podcast Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group BiggerPockets BiggerPockets Hard Money Lenders Connect with Ashley and Tony: Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-220 Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A successful investor finds their “why” where other people find excuses. Real estate investing isn’t without its challenges, but as you overcome more challenges, you become a better investor. Today’s guest’s strong “why” led him to real estate, and it’s what pushes him to break through barriers, overcome obstacles, and build the life he’s dreamed of. Hunter Lewis’ "why" came two weeks before his senior year of college when he found out his girlfriend was pregnant. Knowing he was to become a father forced him to get serious about his future. He found a college mentor that was successful in the commercial real estate space and began working for his company. Hunter then saved up enough to buy his first property in July 2020. Since then, he’s closed on two other doors and is working on his fourth! Hunter became a first-time landlord with his second property, and while it was a challenge initially, he learned more about property management and how to compromise. Becoming a father at a young age also taught him how to take advantage of opportunities and reframe obstacles. As a real estate investor, he’s learned how to structure partnerships with family and the benefits of patience. Hunter is now working towards his five-year goal—$10,000 of passive income per month. In This Episode We Cover Taking advantage of opportunity and finding ways to advance your career Finding your “why” and reframing your obstacles  How to structure partnerships with family and significant others Becoming a first-time landlord and how to self-manage your rentals  The importance of understanding and watching the market Investing while working full-time and how to use your job to help you invest And So Much More! Links from the Show Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram MLS Airbnb The GaryVee Podcast RentRedi Monday.com Asana On the Market Podcast The Ultimate Property Management Masterclass Connect with Hunter: Hunter's Instagram Hunter's Youtube Channel Hunter's Email Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-219 Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Building a rental property portfolio isn’t complicated. You find deals, finance them, buy them, manage them, and repeat. What could be easier? For most real estate investors, it’s not the big steps that stop them from scaling. It’s the little ones. Finding deals means looking through the MLS, cold calling, driving for dollars, or door knocking almost daily. Financing means talking to mortgage brokers, local banks, or investment property lenders. These day-to-day tasks are what make or break your portfolio, so how do you get on top of them? Welcome back to this week’s Rookie Reply, where we’re joined by On The Market co-host, Henry Washington. In only a few short years, Henry has grown his portfolio to over seventy-five doors. With kids at home, a family to take care of, and businesses to manage, how did he scale so fast? He gives his secrets in this episode. And as a bonus for our BPCon2022 attendees, we have some tips for you on how to make the most out of the upcoming convention! If you want Ashley and Tony to answer a real estate question, you can post in the Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group! Or, call us at the Rookie Request Line (1-888-5-ROOKIE). Links from the Show Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram BiggerPockets BPCON2022 Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group The Real Estate Podcast BiggerPockets Forums BiggerPockets Bootcamps On The Market Podcast Connect with Henry: Henry's Instagram Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-218 Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Successful real estate investors don't find success alone. Real estate is a relationship business, so eventually, you need someone— an agent, contractor, cleaning lady, or handyman. At times, your success depends on these people, so you need to build a relationship with them. Once you cultivate a relationship, maintenance becomes the next step, but how do you do that? How do you find the balance between too friendly and impersonal? How do you turn a transactional relationship into a transformational one? Today’s guests, Evan and Katie Miller, have prioritized relationship building in their business and have seen tremendous success. The advantage of investing as a couple is they balance each other out. Evan enjoys numbers, while Katie enjoys working with people—creating the balance they need to be a well-oiled real estate machine. They have sixteen units amongst seven properties in Florida, Denver, and Nebraska.  While growing their real estate business, they both work full-time jobs with a baby at home. Katie is the general manager at the BiggerPockets publishing division, which motivated her to invest because she sees the power of real estate every day. Since they still work full-time, they prioritize time management, relationship building, and organization. Evan and Katie hope to hit fifty properties in five years while keeping their full-time jobs. In This Episode We Cover Investing with a spouse or a significant other and how to find balance and set boundaries Appraisal issues and finding creative solutions vs. knowing when it’s time to step away Self-management vs. property management and whether outsourcing is worth it Vetting and finding the right property manager in a new market How to cultivate and maintain relationships both professionally and personally Out-of-state investing, learning how to invest in new markets, and the criteria you should have And So Much More! Links from the Show Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram BiggerPockets BPCON2022 BiggerPockets Bookstore Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group The Money Podcast The Real Estate Podcast AirDNA The Official BiggerPockets Facebook Group MLS LoopNet BiggerPockets Forums BiggerPockets Free Membership Real Estate Rookie Youtube Channel Connect with Evan and Katie: Evan's Instagram Katie's Instagram Evan's BiggerPockets Profile Katie's BiggerPockets Profile Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-217 Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Real estate investors are a hard-working bunch. They put in long hours every day to create passive income and find financial freedom. Many investors resort to doing what they hate, day in and day out, simply to escape the clutches of a nine-to-five job. If you’re a rookie real estate investor, you’re probably the property manager, head of acquisitions, tenant contact, and accountant all rolled into one. But this “all or nothing” way of working could slow you down faster than you know. If you want to take your wealth to the next level, try quitting—it’s what Pat Hiban and Tim Rhode have been doing for decades. As two successful real estate agents, they enjoyed the negotiation games that eventually led to large commission checks. But as the years went by, this non-stop grind took its toll—so much that they both gave up very profitable professions to do what they love. Surprisingly, the “do what you love” lifestyle made them even more money than before! This is all well and good for a couple of veteran investors, but what about our real estate rookies? What about you, listening to this with one, two, or ten deals? How do you take a step back and become a quitter like Pat and Tim? Can you really make more money by doing less, and even if you could, how do you take the first step? In their new book, The Quitter’s Manifesto, Pat and Tim lay out the exact team and strategy you need to go from burnout to big checks with far less effort. In This Episode We Cover How two formal education failures became multimillionaires  Going from 100% “obligation” work to 100% “interest” work by doing what you love Finding the “quiet” that brings your best ideas to light  Building your team of quitters who will hold you accountable to do less and make more How to find a world-class real estate mentor who will speed up your growth substantially The financial position you should be in before you contemplate quitting  And So Much More! Links from the Show Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram BiggerPockets GoBundance Upwork BPCON2022 BiggerPockets Bookstore Building 61 Different Passive Streams of Income with Pat Hiban Turning $5K Into $5K/Month and Retiring at 40 with Tim Rhode 9 Simple Steps to Finding the Best Real Estate Mentor for You Book Mentioned in this Show The Quitter's Manifesto by Tim Rhode and Pat Hiban Connect with Pat and Tim: Pat's LinkedIn Pat's BiggerPockets Profile Tim's Website Tim's LinkedIn Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-216 Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Want to become a millionaire? After this episode, you’ll have everything you need to start your journey to a seven-figure net worth through real estate investing. Most people think that to become a millionaire you need to have a high-paying job, a large inheritance, or hundreds of rental properties. This couldn’t be further from the truth, as regular real estate investing allows almost anyone to build wealth, attain financial freedom, and live the life they dream of in only a matter of years. For those who haven’t bought their first investment property, or only have a few, this webinar with Dave Meyer will provide the step-by-step system that’ll take you from onlooker to investor. Dave takes you through the math behind making millions, how to find investment properties worth buying, analyzing real estate in just minutes, and finally, how to repeat the system so you can continuously build wealth no matter what life position you’re in. Stick around until the end as Dave throws in a special gift for our viewers that will help take you from rookie to veteran investor in no time at all. The tools, information, and data found in this episode could help slingshot your wealth to levels you’ve never imagined. So, are you ready to start? In This Episode We Cover How to become a real estate millionaire no matter where you’re starting from Defining your “why” and knowing how much money you want to make How an economic recession could affect real estate investors in 2022 The “crystal clear criteria” every investor must know before buying a rental property Building your real estate “stack” that can make you rich in only a few years How to analyze rental properties for complete confidence in the deal Finding, funding, and financing investment property purchases The fastest way to level up your real estate investing skills so you can reach financial freedom And So Much More! Links from the Show Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram BiggerPockets Zillow BiggerPockets Calculators On the Market Podcast BiggerPockets Pro MLS BiggerPockets Agent Finder BiggerPockets Rental Property Calculator Craigslist BiggerPockets Bootcamps Mashvisor Roofstock AirDNA Connect with Dave: Dave's Instagram Dave's BiggerPockets Profile Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-215 Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week’s question comes from Ricky through Ashley’s direct messages on Instagram. Ricky is asking: I’m about to start my investing journey with short-term rentals. How do I build a real estate team, and which positions should I look for first? On your way to building a short-term rental empire, you’ll need to build out your real estate investment team. These are the people who will help you scale, manage your properties, and handle host headaches that come up, so you can focus on finding better vacation rental properties. If you want to scale like Tony, who’s already at sixteen short-term rental units, you’ll need to invest in the four “buckets." Doing this will free up time for you to run a better business and source bigger deals. Here are some suggestions: Start making checklists, notes, and training videos as soon as you buy your first property Find the things you hate doing and offload them sooner, rather than later Build out your short-term rental core four who can help manage the property while you source deals Start small with a cleaner or maintenance worker and slowly hire out from there And more in the episode… If you want Ashley and Tony to answer a real estate question, you can post in the Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group! Or, call us at the Rookie Request Line (1-888-5-ROOKIE). Links from the Show Real Estate Rookie Podcast Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group BiggerPockets BPCON22 Investor Girl Britt BadAsh Investor Airbnb Loom BiggerPockets Agent Finder Find Money, Partners, & Deals Using The “D.A.D System” w/ Mike Michalowicz 21 Real Estate Professionals You Need on Your Team (Updated 2021) Connect with Ashley and Tony: Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-214 Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The older you get, the more you realize how much life costs. As a kid, it's easy to take for granted the free rent and free meals, but what if you could get back to that? What if you could live mortgage or rent-free as an adult? What if you could have your meals paid for on someone else’s dime? In today’s episode, our guest, Nate Weintraub, shares how he lives for “free” with his three properties that total sixty-five units. With a real estate investor as a father, Nate has always been around rental property investing. He never saw himself getting into real estate until he worked his first W-2. After seeing the realities of a nine-to-five, Nate decided to buy a property after college and pursue real estate. In March of 2020, he put a house under contract in Rochester, New York. Since then, he has purchased a sixty-three-unit storage facility in Alabama and is currently house hacking in Florida. As Nate works toward financial freedom, he has made steps toward reducing his cost of living while still living a life he loves. In addition to being an investor, he does what he loves as a self-employed copywriter—BiggerPockets’ copywriter in fact. At only twenty-four, Nate lives rent-free in his house hack, his rental property covers most of his food, and his real estate investment trusts pay for his car.  In This Episode We Cover Analyzing and choosing an out-of-state market to invest in (w/o visiting them) Self-managing and how to build a trusting relationship with your tenants  House hacking and how to use it to live rent-free while building wealth Self-storage investing and how to break into a newer, bigger asset class Finding reliable and trustworthy partners and how to manage your partnerships The importance of talking about your real estate aspirations and how to generate more business through conversation And So Much More! Links from the Show Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram BiggerPockets Real Estate Rookie Podcast Zillow $13M in Equity from One Deal & Cash Flowing Despite Being Comatose with AJ Osborne Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group How to Cut Expenses for a Faster Route to Financial Freedom BiggerPockets Calculators Easy Storage Solutions Stessa Roomies.com Yelp SquareFoot QuickBooks On the Market Podcast BiggerPockets Forums Airbnb Connect with Nate: Nate's Instagram Nate's Email Nate's Website Check out the full show notes here: https://biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-213 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week’s question comes from Carolyn through Ashley’s direct messages on Instagram. Carolyn is asking: I just bought my first investment property in cash. Am I still considered a first-time homebuyer? What happens if I take out a mortgage on that property? First-time homebuyer loans tend to confuse many real estate rookies. When it comes to first-time homebuyer loans and programs, what options do you have? Some investors think that they can only use loans like the FHA loan for their first home, while others may be enticed by first-time homebuyer programs that boast a lot of benefits, but with a ton of red tape. Which loans work for which investors, and what happens when you want to refinance? Here are some suggestions: Remember that loans like the FHA loan are not reserved for first-time homebuyers Special loan programs designed for first-time buyers could help you fund your down payment, but you’ll want to read the fine print Look for state-specific grants when buying your first home (you could come across some free funds!) If you are going to refinance after a cash purchase, be sure to double-check the “seasoning” period with your lender And more in the episode… If you want Ashley and Tony to answer a real estate question, you can post in the Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group! Or, call us at the Rookie Request Line (1-888-5-ROOKIE). Links from the Show Real Estate Rookie Podcast Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group BiggerPockets Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-212 Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While constantly hearing success stories can be encouraging, it can also start to seem unattainable when you don’t know where to start. How did all these successful investors get to where they wanted to be? And if they can do it, why can’t you? Today’s guests, Simon Murillo and Kristina Vaio adjusted their mindset from “why them?” to “why not us?,” which resulted in some serious short-term rental success.  It took a while for Simon and Kristina to become cohesive in their real estate partnership. Simon has been interested in house hacking since 2018, but Kristina couldn’t envision sharing her home with strangers. For his first investment, Simon wanted to invest long-distance in his hometown, but Kristina had reservations about investing in a property she couldn’t physically manage. Despite their opposing views on what their first investment would look like, through a lot of communication, education, trust, and compromise, they found an investment they agreed on—their basement. With the help of a rockstar real estate agent, they were able to close on a house in December of 2021. It took a few months of blood, sweat, and tears to set up their basement rental, but within just thirty minutes of posting their short-term rental listing, they got their first booking! Now, they’re averaging about $4,500 each month and are looking for their next home to house hack. They plan on doing this at least two or three times until they’re financially free in their forever home—and you can do it too! In This Episode We Cover Convincing a skeptical partner and how to find compromise through mutual goals How to ease into investing through small steps and self-education Building a team that can help you with your vision—from investor-friendly real estate agents to reliable contractors The benefits of going to investor meetups and being surrounded by similar people with similar goals Managing your short-term rental while balancing your full-time W-2 Increasing the value of your property through unique upgrades and renovations And So Much More! Links from the Show Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram BiggerPockets Real Estate Rookie Podcast BiggerPockets Forums Alpha Geek Capital Real Estate Rookie Bootcamp Airbnb Sarah Robinson's Instagram Redfin Zillow Facebook Groups Nextdoor MLS BiggerPockets Agents Finder Hospitable Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group Connect with Simon and Kristina: Simon's Instagram Simon's BiggerPockets Profile Kristina's Instagram Check out the full show notes here: https://biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-211 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The term “other people’s money” is common in the rental property industry. You may hear successful investors use it all the time—but what does it mean? Who are these “other people,” and why are they giving out money so freely? Don’t worry—rich relatives are not necessary for this episode of the Real Estate Rookie Podcast. We’re not talking about taking money from your Grandma. We’re talking about private money lending. Who better to bring on to the show than Alex Breshears and Beth Johnson, authors of the new BiggerPockets book, Lend to Live: Earn Hassle-Free Passive Income in Real Estate with Private Money Lending? Although tailored towards would-be passive private money lenders, Lend to Live drops some serious knowledge that the everyday investor can use. If you’ve ever wanted to know where to find private money, how it works, and how you can use it to grow your real estate portfolio, this episode is a great place to start. Alex and Beth break down the fundamentals behind private money lending, what makes a great private money lender, and how to vet yours when accepting money. Private money can create phenomenal opportunities for active investors, but it comes with legal landmines that are easily activated if you don’t know what to look for. So, before you start accepting money from a local lender, be sure you read Lend to Live first!  In This Episode We Cover What makes a great private money lender and the qualifications they should possess Why become a private money lender and who private lending is best suited for How to find private money even if you’re just starting to grow your network Structuring a private money loan and keeping yourself legally protected Private money red flags and what investors and lenders should look out for Points, rates, and other lending lingo you need to know before taking a loan And So Much More! Links from the Show Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram BiggerPockets Real Estate Rookie Podcast BiggerPockets Forums BiggerPockets Bookstore The BiggerPockets Podcast Private Money: What the Experts Warn Against Before You Lend (Or Borrow!) Connect with Alex and Beth: Alex and Beth's Email  Alex's BiggerPockets Profile Alex's LinkedIn Profile Beth's BiggerPockets Profile Beth's Website Check out the full show notes here: https://biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-210 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As an investor, finding and closing on a deal is only the beginning, and it sets the tone for how the rest of the deal will go. So what criteria should you have to make finding a profitable deal easier? Once you find a deal that's promising, how do you do your due diligence before submitting an offer? In today’s episode, Kenneth Donis shares his bulletproof process for finding and underwriting profitable deals. Kenneth is the Head of Marketing and Acquisitions in the Donis Brothers’ operation. The Donis Brothers have a little more than 1,000 units under their belt and show no signs of slowing down. Kenneth is responsible for finding those deals, underwriting them, and meeting with brokers. With a growing portfolio, Kenneth’s process has become more efficient, and the proof is in their success. Kenneth breaks down his process into three parts—creating criteria, analyzing the deal before submitting the offer, and submitting a letter of intent. He explains how to create a buy box based on your budget and the importance of ensuring your overhead is covered. Taking to heart just a few of the tips that Kenneth shares today could put you on the fast track to closing on your next big investment property! In This Episode We Cover Creating criteria to find great deals based on your goals and budget Defining your ”buy box” and what you should include in yours Multifamily deal analysis and the quotes you’ll need before submitting an offer  Drafting the letter of intent and the key elements to a perfect offer How to build lasting and beneficial relationships with mortgage brokers Raising capital from outside sources and using creative financing to fund your deals And So Much More! Links from the Show Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram Real Estate Rookie Podcast MLS Apartments.com BPCON22 Real Estate Rookie Podcast Changing Their Family’s Fate by Building a 600+ Unit Portfolio (At Age 20!) How a College Dropout Got a Seat at the Millionaire Investor Table Post, Invest, Profit: A Step-by-Step Guide to Content Creating for Investors BiggerPockets Calculators Connect with Kenneth: The Donis Brothers’s Website The Donis Brothers’s Instagram The Donis Brothers’s Facebook Page The Donis Brothers’s Twitter The Donis Brothers’s Tiktok  The Donis Brothers’s Youtube Channel The Donis Brothers’s Podcast Check out the full show notes here: https://biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-209 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week’s question comes from Aaron on the Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group. Aaron is asking: How do you set up your rental income for tax season? Do you just show your accountant, for example, a Stessa report? Do you give receipts to your tenant when they pay so you have one for tax season? Navigating the world of real estate accounting can be tricky. Do you write everything down by hand or update your numbers in tax software? Ask two real estate experts like Ashley and Tony and you’ll see that there’s usually one clear way to gather up your rental income so your CPA doesn’t have a mountain of paperwork and an avalanche of questions to ask you. Here are some suggestions: Use software like Stessa or QuickBooks to easily track your income/expenses for tax time Send tenants rent receipts (if they ask for them) using software like Apartments.com and RentRedi Keep clear records of how much you received in rent, spent on maintenance, and any amount of vacancy Get your bookkeeping in place from the first property onwards (your future self will thank you) And more in the episode… If you want Ashley and Tony to answer a real estate question, you can post in the Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group! Or, call us at the Rookie Request Line (1-888-5-ROOKIE). Links from the Show Real Estate Rookie Podcast Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group Stessa QuickBooks Apartments.com RentRedi Google Drive OneDrive   Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-208 Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As an entrepreneur trying to build wealth, how do you find work-life balance? How do you prioritize your family and life when you work long hours for a better future? Is the time freedom you’re ultimately working towards worth the time you have to give up presently? Amanda Salovitch, today’s guest, shares the balance she’s been able to maintain as a full-time working mom, building a short-term rental business while going from zero to six units in a year and a half.  Amanda has been passionate about real estate for a while. She became a licensed real estate agent fresh out of college in 2008. Amanda worked at a brokerage with another recent high school graduate, and when she decided to pursue a career at the bank, she watched him grow his investment career. The bank required a very fast-paced lifestyle, and it wasn’t until the pandemic that she began to slow down and reassess certain aspects of her future. She started listening to the Real Estate Rookie podcast and became inspired. She purchased three long-term rentals shortly after she began listening to the podcast. She then closed on a property with three short-term treehouse rentals with various income-generating activities. While living a hectic investor life, Amanda always includes her kids as much as possible. Her ultimate goal is to have the time and freedom to live the life of her choosing with her family, and with the path she’s on, she’ll be able to achieve it soon! In This Episode We Cover Getting your real estate license and the benefits of being a licensed investor Finding your personalized work-life balance and the importance of having a strong “why” The process of qualifying for a loan and how to qualify for the financing of your choosing The 1031 exchange explained, its benefits, and its shortcomings How to get your spouse on board with investing while communicating your goals Investing while still working your day job and how to manage your time for optimum efficiency And So Much More! Links from the Show Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group Airbnb Real Estate Rookie Podcast MLS QuickBooks Apartments.com Lodgify Booking.com MileIQ The Real Estate Podcast Vrbo Connect with Amanda: Amanda's Website Amanda's BiggerPockets Profile Amanda's Instagram Check out the full show notes here: https://biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-207 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Not knowing how to deal with a bad contractor can cost you thousands, if not tens of thousands, on a single deal. The wrong contractor can cause months more of holding time, thousands in materials wasted, and drain your energy when trying to get the project done. But, once you know the common contractor red flags, you’ll be able to spot which workers won’t work out in the future so you can hire the right ones faster. Ashley and Tony both have horror stories when hiring general contractors. They have some crucial tips when hiring a contractor for your next home renovation. Their most important one? Hire slow and fire fast. The wrong crewmember could sabotage your entire real estate deal. Here are some suggestions: Don’t pay contractors per hour and stick to your contractor criteria Stand your ground and don’t second guess yourself if you know how something should be done Never hire the same contractor for another job until they’ve finished the first one Set milestones and benchmarks for the contractor to hit so they stay on-schedule Don’t hire the first contractors available for a job, take your time vetting the crew and general contractor And more in the episode… If you want Ashley and Tony to answer a real estate question, you can post in the Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group! Or, call us at the Rookie Request Line (1-888-5-ROOKIE). Links from the Show BiggerPockets Real Estate Rookie Podcast Real Estate Rookie Youtube Channel Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group Real Estate Rookie Bootcamp Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-205 Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sometimes in real estate, less is more, and as the saying goes—quality over quantity. You don’t need a portfolio with 100+ properties if you have a strong cash flow from five. This approach allows less to fall through the cracks and a more personalized experience for the tenant while still building wealth like never before. Today’s guest, Kelly Cronin, explains how she has created Cronin Castles, a variety of unique experiences in various locations, and is now profiting off people’s desire to experience more life. Her current portfolio includes a sea house in Puerto Rico, an off-the-grid dome in Alaska, a tiny home in Utah, and eighty acres in Wisconsin. While Kelly was merely setting her price on listing sites and looking for interesting places, she stumbled on the next big thing. Currently, short-term rental sites are looking for more properties with unique experiences, like Kelly’s, to feature and further differentiate themselves from the competition. Kelly was able to start investing because she saved half of her income. She was able to save an astonishing $110,000 not because of a high salary—in fact, she never hit the six-figure mark—but because she gamified her life. Kelly did this by finding ways to lower her mortgage, save on childcare expenses and use credit card points to cover her travel expenses. Now Kelly can give people the traveling experiences she would want while simultaneously building wealth and changing her financial future. In This Episode We Cover How to research and invest in different markets  Cultivating unique experiences and how to market your rentals Managing your rental property remotely and the importance of building a network in the market you choose to invest in Saving fifty percent of your income and how to gamify your life and stretch your money  Self-managing your properties and how to stay on top of your rental portfolio And So Much More! Links from the Show Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group BiggerPockets Forums Brandon Turner's Instagram Nate Robbins' Instagram Brian Murray's Instagram Airbnb Vrbo Realtor.com AirDNA Zillow Derek Diedricksen's Instagram Boostly Godaddy Hostfully Meta Business Suite 96 Units in 5 Years By Combining Long & Short-Term Rentals Connect with Kelly: Kelly's Website Kelly's Facebook Page Kelly's Instagram Check out the full show notes here: https://biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-205 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New short-term rental regulations are sprouting up around densely-populated states like California and New York. These regulations can stop new investors from setting up shop while making established hosts much wealthier. With stricter short-term rental laws, what should real estate investors do to hedge their risk against being stuck with a property that can’t be rented out? Both Ashley and Tony own short-term rentals. Ashley’s is situated in a town with no regulations, while Tony has vacation rentals scattered across multiple markets, each with its own specific ordinances. Tony knows that even with these new laws, there are still steps you can take to ensure that your short-term rental investment isn’t ever at risk of being left empty. Looking into short-term rental markets? Here are some suggestions: Look for established, mature vacation rental markets when starting your search Economic dependency on tourism will most likely make an area more open to short-term rentals Always research the number of short-term rentals an owner can legally own in an area as well as how the permitting process works Stay up-to-date on an area’s short-term rental laws as they are subject to change And more in the episode… If you want Ashley and Tony to answer a real estate question, you can post in the Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group! Or, call us at the Rookie Request Line (1-888-5-ROOKIE). Links from the Show Real Estate Rookie Podcast Real Estate Rookie Youtube Channel Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-204 Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Property management can be one of the more complex decisions when it comes to investing. Do you save money and ensure the job is done exactly how you want it by self-managing, or do you invest in someone with experience and save yourself time, energy, and headspace? Today’s guest, Karen Lane, breaks down property management in bite-size chunks, so whether you’re deciding between property management vs. self-management or hoping to pursue property management already, this episode is perfect for you. Karen has been in property management for commercial real estate for most of her career, so she’s seen it all—including a dead deer carcass in the middle of a shopping center parking lot. She’s worked with private investors on both coasts and internationally. Karen’s abundant experience has made her a wealth of knowledge and the perfect person to learn from. While she has thrived in the property management space, she now hopes to beat analysis paralysis and find her first investment.  Karen goes over what it means to be a property manager and how to become one. She also talks about the nuances of juggling the different relationships you need to maintain as a property manager. Today’s episode is the free property management masterclass you don’t want to miss.  In This Episode We Cover What it means to be a property manager and how to know if you have what it takes Finding and vetting a property manager to make sure your goals and expectations align How to keep the landlord and the tenant happy and find a middle ground Management agreements and how to understand the property management fees that come along with it How to check for hidden fees as a landlord The most significant things to look for in a property manager to make sure your relationship is successful The ideal reporting structure, the cadence, and what you should include And So Much More! Links from the Show Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram BiggerPockets Real Estate Rookie Podcast Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group BPCON2022 BiggerPockets Forums Rookie Landlord Bootcamp BiggerPockets Calculators Buildium AppFolio Quickbooks A Step-by-Step Guide to Estimating Rehab Costs w/ Master Flipper & Investor James Dainard (Part 1) Finding Contractors, Renovation Red Flags, and Estimating Rehab Costs (Part 2) w/ James Dainard 18 Deals in 2 Years AND a Full Time Job with Kevin Christensen Connect with Karen: Karen's Property Management Company Karen's Company Email Karen's Website Karen's Email Check out the full show notes here: https://biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-203 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week’s question comes from Brandon on the Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group. Brandon is asking: On a cash-out refinance, is this considered income? If so, will I have to report it on my taxes? Real estate investing provides a lot of tax benefits, some that new investors or everyday homeowners simply don’t know about. One of the greatest tax benefits? No taxes on loans and liabilities! That means that the cash-out refinance can be done without paying any taxes on the cash given to you from the bank. But, there are a couple of ways that you could get snagged during tax season if you don’t follow the right steps. Here are some suggestions: Cash-out refinances are considered debt, not income, from a taxation point of view If you are planning to have your business pay you back for acquisition/renovation costs, be sure you make a record of that so you don’t get taxed on your repayment You may pay taxes on a cash-out refinance if you plan on taking profits from your business As always, consult a tax professional if you have any specific tax questions And more in the episode… If you want Ashley and Tony to answer a real estate question, you can post in the Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group! Or, call us at the Rookie Request Line (1-888-5-ROOKIE). Links from the Show Real Estate Rookie Podcast Real Estate Rookie Youtube Channel Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group Rookie Reply: Cash Out Refinances vs HELOCs | Which Should You Use? Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-202 Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The beautiful thing about real estate is that there is endless room for growth. While some jobs have a capped amount of opportunity, real estate encourages constant advancement. Today’s guest, Gus Ofili, began his investing journey after the pandemic and now has nine properties with twenty-three units.  Gus turned to real estate after deciding to leave his nine-to-five at a bank. He didn’t hate his job, in fact, he was doing very well, but there wasn't adequate room to grow. Gus started realizing he was getting passed up on opportunities by people who dedicated at least a decade of their life to the bank. He couldn't see himself taking ten years of his life for a career milestone—so he quit. Initially, real estate intrigued Gus because of the thrill he got from negotiating. He started taking classes to become a realtor while working his nine-to-five. As an agent, he sold fifty homes in his first year, seventy-one in his second, and 108 in his third year. While he did exceptionally well as a realtor, he wanted a backup plan and knew investing would be a fundamental part of his real estate career. He had the opportunity to sell a five-unit house, but when the first appraisal fell through, he began to see potential in the home, decided to buy it, and as the saying goes—the rest is history.  In This Episode We Cover Quitting your nine-to-five and how to prepare to do so How to use social media to gain free exposure and grow your brand   Finding a profitable side hustle in real estate and the benefits of becoming a leasing agent Clubhouse and how to use it to learn more, expand your network, and gain motivation Overcoming the fear of buying your first investment property and how to make the transition as smooth as possible And So Much More! Links from the Show Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram BiggerPockets Real Estate Rookie Podcast Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group BPCON2022 Airbnb STR Summit Clubhouse Discord BiggerPockets Forums Facebook Marketplace Connect with Gus: Gus' Facebook Gus' Instagram Check out the full show notes here: https://biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-201 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You’re here to buy your first rental property. This is the Real Estate Rookie Podcast, and as a rookie, where should you start? Most new real estate investors think that the steps to buying a rental property are simple—find an agent, find a property, buy the property. And although that could buy you a rental property, the chances of you becoming successful are very low. Real estate investing requires much more than just purchasing a property if you’re trying to build generational wealth, financial freedom, and a life that operates on your schedule. It shouldn’t be surprising that the CEO of a company like BiggerPockets is someone who took the slow, yet highly successful route. No raising money on his first deal, no buying multimillion-dollar apartment complexes, no giant yacht, and no private planes. Scott Trench is the epitome of the “grind until you shine” real estate investor. Starting with little-to-no savings, he was able to work his way up to his first rental, his second, and now his thirteenth. To celebrate the release of the updated version of his wildly popular book, Set for Life, Scott has created a ten-step checklist that any new investor should use to get their first real estate investment. These steps were specifically designed for you to not just get one rental, but many more following your first purchase. These are the exact steps Scott took to reach financial freedom in under ten years, and if you follow them as well, you might be able to do it faster. In This Episode We Cover The ten steps to becoming a successful real estate investor (even if you have no experience) Frugality and its impact on how you invest and grow your wealth over time Calculating your dollar per hour cost and choosing whether or not to outsource work The four levers of wealth creation and how to pull them all for fast-paced wealth building How Scott went from entry-level worker to CEO of BiggerPockets in under ten years Building your “investor ability” so you can make smarter decisions faster And So Much More! Links from the Show Rookie Readiness Checklist Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram BiggerPockets Real Estate Rookie Podcast Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group BiggerPockets Forums Podcast Guest Onboarding Form BiggerPockets Bookstore The BiggerPockets Money Podcast Dish Network The Real Estate Podcast Joshua Dorkin's Website Brandon Turner's Instagram Dave Visaya's Podcast Editing Services Mr. Money Mustache Airbnb Vrbo Mindy Jensen's Instagram From 400 Credit Score to Making $17,000/Month in Passive Income BiggerPockets Bootcamps FRED BiggerPockets Calculators Buildium Connect with Scott: Scott's BiggerPockets Profile Scott's Rookie Readiness Checklist Check out the full show notes here: https://biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-200 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are in the age of social media, so how do you use that to your advantage? How do you create a platform that helps you reach your career goals? What content should you create to target your desired audience? Today’s guest, Kerwin Donis, shares how he and his brothers have built the platforms that have helped them partner in over 600 units of apartment syndication deals. The Donis Brothers have a wide range of platforms, from YouTube to TikTok, where they document their journey and share their wealth of knowledge. They have about 12,000 followers on Instagram and 63,000 on TikTok, but their main focus is their podcast. Kerwin, the head of their social media, says their initial goal was to document their journey and build credibility as young investors. While that is still their goal, they have become more strategic about what they post and the audience they post for to grow their platform and their online community.  So how do you begin? You begin now—stop waiting! Kerwin emphasizes that when you start, it won't be perfect, and that's okay. Create the content you’d want to consume, aim to entertain and educate, and the rest will come. The benefits of building your platform are endless because you never know who you’re reaching—whether that be a future mentor, partner, or client. There is no better time to start your social media journey and no better place to start than this episode!  In This Episode We Cover Building a platform with little knowledge (it’s not as hard as you think) How to manage different social media platforms and decide which one should be your primary focus  The various benefits of building a platform and how to get the most out of your platforms Content marketing and how to target your ideal audience Creating content without a big team and how to keep yourself accountable Lead magnets and how to use them to increase your marketing efforts  And So Much More! Links from the Show Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram BiggerPockets Real Estate Rookie Youtube Channel Real Estate Rookie Podcast Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group $1M in Real Estate in Just 1 Year (and How You Can Do It Too!) How a College Dropout Got a Seat at the Millionaire Investor Table Lili Thompson's Youtube Channel On the Market Podcast BiggerPockets Forums Pat Flynn's Website Smart Passive Income Your First Real Estate Investment Podcast Derrick Acuff's Instagram From Restaurant Waiter to 100+ Deals in Only 4 Years w/ Derrick Acuff Grant Cardone's Website Venmo How to NOT Go Bankrupt: 5 Mistakes New Investors Make  Connect with Kerwin: Kerwin's Instagram The Donis Brothers Website The Donis Brothers Instagram The Real Estate Monopoly Podcast The Donis Brothers Youtube Channel Check out the full show notes here: https://biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-199 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week’s question comes from Mantas on the Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group. Mantas is asking: My buddy placed an offer substantially above asking price and the seller, before accepting the offer, asked my friend if he would pay the difference if the appraisal came in lower than the offer. Anyone encountered this situation and what would be the best response if any? Ah, the classic appraisal gap/appraisal contingency. During hot housing markets (like we’ve been experiencing over the past two years), these types of offers have become more and more common. A seller wants to be sure that they can get the sales price they want and the buyer often has to pay the price to cover the appraisal difference. But what are some ways to get around this if your appraisal comes back low? Here are some suggestions: Do as much research beforehand so you know an appropriate appraisal value before the appraisal Run comps using real estate data tools (like PropStream) or look up comparable home sales in your area using a listing service Challenge the appraisal buy checking for discrepancies and running comps Get a different appraisal ordered or switch to a more flexible lender if all else fails And more in the episode… If you want Ashley and Tony to answer a real estate question, you can post in the Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group! Or, call us at the Rookie Request Line (1-888-5-ROOKIE). Links from the Show Real Estate Rookie Podcast Real Estate Rookie Youtube Channel Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group Propstream MLS Realtor.com Zillow   Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-198 Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’re unsure about real estate, run the numbers. It’s that simple. Once you run the numbers, you’ll have clarity on which decisions to make and tangible reassurance that you made the right ones. Today’s guest, actress Brec Bassinger, shares how focusing on the numbers has given her the confidence to become the successful investor she is today. Brec’s name may sound familiar to some of you. She’s been the star of Bella and the Bulldogs and the new hit show, DC’s Stargirl. Brec’s interest in real estate began after a trip to Big Bear with her boyfriend when she realized the earning potential of short-term rentals. She decided to buy a condo and had her first short-term rental within six months. The speed at which she got her first deal may seem intimidating, but Brec’s confidence came from the numbers she calculated and the profits she knew she could make. During her first season of Stargirl, Brec had to share a small apartment with her coworker because that’s all she could afford with her fluctuating income. Now she makes more money by living in an expensive high-rise apartment while renting out her old space. Real estate has allowed Brec to supplement her fluctuating income without a W-2 and the freedom to live the life she wants. And even though she plays a superhero, her story proves that you don’t have to be one to invest in real estate.  In This Episode We Cover How to confidently close on your first investment property and move past fear Becoming more financially stable by supplementing your income with a passive income stream The importance of running the numbers and how to use the simple rental calculations to make profitable decisions Building a relationship with your property manager and eye-opening questions to ask them How to qualify for loans without a “steady” income And So Much More! Links from the Show Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram BiggerPockets Real Estate Rookie Youtube Channel Real Estate Rookie Podcast Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group Airbnb BPCON2022 20 Deals in a Year as a Professional Basketball Player w/ Terry Harris Terry Harris' Instagram Zillow AirDNA BiggerPockets Calculator MLS From Sleeping in His Car to Multi-Unit Landlord & The “Nomad” Strategy Nick Cooley's Instagram Connect with Brec: Brec's Instagram Check out the full show notes here: https://biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-197 Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week’s question comes from Tony’s Instagram direct messages! This rookie real estate investor is asking: I have a good chunk of equity in my home, should I pull out cash to purchase a rental property? If not, what should I do with the equity? If you want to know how to use home equity to buy real estate, you need to know your options first. As many homeowners are sitting on massive equity gains, thanks to the past two years worth of price run-ups, they’re asking how they can use this equity to their advantage. For most investors, you’ll have two options in how you take this equity out of your home’s value. But, both of them need to be intelligently evaluated before you make a decision. Here are some suggestions: Look at your current mortgage rate and see if it’s higher or lower than today’s average interest rate to refinance  Ask your lender about a HELOC (home equity line of credit) as well as the terms, interest rates, and duration offered Interest rates are likely to rise, so locking down a great rate now may help you in the future Know your exit strategy (flip vs. BRRRR vs. buy and hold) for each different kind of financing option And more in the episode… If you want Ashley and Tony to answer a real estate question, you can post in the Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group! Or, call us at the Rookie Request Line (1-888-5-ROOKIE). Links from the Show Real Estate Rookie Podcast Real Estate Rookie Youtube Channel Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group BiggerPockets Forums Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-196 Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You often hear about house hacking as a means to an end, a simple way to start your real estate journey, but what if it could be more? What if house hacking could be your ticket to financial freedom? Today’s guest, Craig Curelop, author of The House Hacking Strategy, shares how he reached financial freedom through house hacking and how to follow along in his footsteps. Craig started where most do, hating his W-2 and working too much. He began researching how to earn a passive income and came across BiggerPockets. Within six months, Craig started working at BiggerPockets, moved to Denver, and decided to start living his life the way he wanted. Using his house hacking strategy, he went from being $30,000 in debt to financial freedom in two and a half years.  Before you get into house hacking, you need to understand the basics, and today Craig breaks them down. He goes over the different ways to house hack and its advantages and disadvantages. Craig also talks about how to live with your tenants and the boundaries needed for your ideal house hacking situation. Craig paints the whole picture so you can make an informed decision and decide if house hacking is the way for you to become financially free too (or at least build more passive income)! In This Episode We Cover Why house hacking is ideal for new and young investors and how to get started  The different ways to house hack and how to turn an unused space into an income-generating area The noteworthy advantages and disadvantages of house hacking and how to decide if house hacking is for you Living with tenants and how to set landlord boundaries for you and your tenant’s comfort How to vet tenants and red flags to look out for before offering them a lease Collecting rent and the processes to have in place to help you stay in “landlord mode” And So Much More! Links from the Show Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram BiggerPockets Real Estate Rookie Youtube Channel Real Estate Rookie Podcast Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group Airbnb AJ Osborne's Website The CRE Circle RentRedi The Real Estate Podcast Costco 10 Income Streams on 1 Property by “Land Hacking” w/ Kai Andrew Kai Andrew's Website Apartments.com Connect with Craig: Craig's Instagram The FI Team Invest2FI Podcast Check out the full show notes here: https://biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-195 Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The best real estate investing apps are ones you could not live without. Whether you’re a full-time real estate investor, managing a few properties, or still trying to get your first deal done, these apps can help you find, manage, and cash flow your rentals quicker. Ashley and Tony both use these apps daily and probably couldn’t run their real estate investment portfolios without them. To help you scale up your real estate investing, Ashley and Tony have written down their most-used real estate investing apps. Now, anytime you see a potential deal, need to chat with a team member, or simply want to time how long you’ve been working at a rental property, you can. Most of these apps are free, so you can download them today, try them out, and buy your first (or next) deal faster! If you want Ashley and Tony to answer a real estate question, you can post in the Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group! Or, call us at the Rookie Request Line (1-888-5-ROOKIE). Links from the Show Real Estate Rookie Podcast Real Estate Rookie Youtube Channel Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group Building an Out-of-State Empire by Using the Right Type of Real Estate Agent w/ Sarah Weaver Zillow Realtor.com LandGlide PopStream OnX DealCheck MLS Homesnap Personal Capital Easy Calculator Google task Google Calendar Google Docs Splice Quickbooks Time MileIQ Schlage Ring Loom Mobile Loom Monday.com Wrike Miro Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-194 Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your connections and relationships are invaluable in real estate, so how do you get to know the right people? How do you build a lasting, mutually beneficial relationship? The answer is simple—you show up, get your name and face out there, and listen. Building a network can seem intimidating, especially starting from scratch, but today’s guest, Jeffrey Donis, breaks it down step-by-step. Jeffrey Donis of the Donis Brothers is in charge of nurturing investor relations, so networking is his bread and butter. At twenty-three, he has helped his brothers raise enough money to co-sponsor 600 units worth of deals in the last two years. This would have been nearly impossible to achieve in such a short time without the network they built and the relationships they nurtured. Their network didn’t come automatically, and similar to everyone else, they started from scratch and were able to find a way to get themselves out there. The first step is to build your credibility. While there are many ways to do so, Jeffrey explains how to use social media to document your journey and build trust. He also goes into how to navigate networking events and bring value no matter your experience level. The Donis Brothers have become widely successful in a record amount of time, and the way they built their network and brand is a large part of that. In This Episode We Cover Building credibility and how to use social media to do so The 80/20 rule and why it’s an effective way to network and build relationships How to bring value to others (without money!) and maintain a good reputation Overcoming imposter syndrome and how to be more confident in your abilities How to vet potential investors and red flags you should look out for The importance of constant self-education through real estate courses and classes And So Much More! Links from the Show Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram BiggerPockets Real Estate Rookie Youtube Channel Real Estate Rookie Podcast Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group Changing Their Family’s Fate by Building a 600+ Unit Portfolio (At Age 20!) How to Find Free Money to Finance Your Education & Avoid Extensive Student Debt Student Loans Update: Repayment, Refinancing, and Potential Forgiveness w/ Robert Farrington Robert Farrington's Website Your First Real Estate Investment Podcast Tyler Madden's BiggerPockets Profile SyndicationPro Joe Polish's Website InvestNext Subto Meetup Eventbrite Citrix Podio Connect with Jeffrey: The Donis Brothers' Website  Jeffrey Donis' Instagram Jeffrey Donis' Twitter The Real Estate Monopoly Podcast  Check out the full show notes here: https://biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-193 Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week’s question comes from Natalie on the Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group. Natalie is asking: How did you narrow your focus to determine your strategy? And how do you get good at analyzing real estate deals?  This is one of the most-asked questions we receive. When you’re starting as a rookie real estate investor, every strategy seems like a good one. You may hear a guest on the Real Estate Rookie show talk about wholesaling or flipping or short-term rentals. Before long, you’re already planning your next exciting purchase even if you had another one already in the works. This “shiny object syndrome” is common when getting started, and while it’s good to know about many different investing strategies, changing yours too often can lead you well off the path to financial freedom. Here are some suggestions if you’re torn between strategies and need to up your analysis game: Look at your resources and base your investing strategy upon what makes sense for you specifically Pledge to become an expert in a certain strategy and don’t try building too many bridges Set up a strong foundation in your current investing strategy, then you can pivot wherever you want Practice your deal analysis daily and send your calculations to other investors as a pulse check Get to know your investing area as much as you can (even if you’re remote investing!) And more in the episode… If you want Ashley and Tony to answer a real estate question, you can post in the Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group! Or, call us at the Rookie Request Line (1-888-5-ROOKIE). Links from the Show Real Estate Rookie Podcast Real Estate Rookie Youtube Channel Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group BPCON2022 Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-192 Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices