Real Estate Rookie

This week’s question comes from Kurt through Ashley’s Instagram direct messages. Kurt is asking: We’d like to buy a vacation property with my brother and sister-in-law. My wife and I would handle the management while my brother would bring the down payment to the table. How do we quantify each party’s contribution when dividing profit and equity in the property? Real estate partnerships can be a huge help to rookie investors, especially for those who have the experience but lack the cash to invest by themselves. It’s important to note that real estate partnerships can be set up in any way you prefer⁠—as long as both parties agree that the split is fair⁠—you have full reign of your partnership structure. Ready to partner up on a deal? Here are some suggestions: Clearly define responsibilities so that both parties are happy with the agreement Have a predetermined exit strategy for the partnership and property Provide interest to whoever is putting down the money and pay fees to whoever manages the property Set limits to when partners can use the property for their personal use (if it’s a short-term rental) 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 Rookie Podcast 170: Rookie Reply: ARM vs. Fixed-Rate Mortgages (Which Is Better For Cash Flow?) Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-174 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Investing in rental properties can be challenging at first, which is why so many investors tend to take it slow. Tyler Madden had the luxury of NOT being able to do this, and it’s worked out well in his favor. Just over a year ago, we interviewed Tyler on episode fifty-five of the Real Estate Rookie Podcast. At the time, Tyler was an “accidental landlord”, but a lot has changed since then. Tyler found himself in the position to purchase seven units, a mere $1,000,000 or so in real estate, right as his wife was due to deliver their first-born child. While he didn’t necessarily want to handle a full rehab of so many units, he took a “why not?” approach and found a way to make both properties work. Through a lot of sweat equity, Tyler was able to rehab, rent, and refinance these units and come out with a crazy amount of monthly cash flow! If you want to expand your real estate portfolio as Tyler did, listen to this episode intently. Tyler dives deep into the numbers, work, and lessons he learned along the way as he turned seven underperforming rental units into a portfolio any investor would dream of! In This Episode We Cover Relying on data vs. emotions when buying your first rental property Whether or not now is the right time to buy real estate What’s impacting today’s housing market and using uncertainty to your advantage The best investing moves to make if a recession (or crash) is on the horizon What rookies should look for in a real estate investing market Buying real estate with a long-term outlook (so you can handle the dips!) And So Much More! Links from the Show Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram BiggerPockets Real Estate Rookie Youtube Channel Real Estate Rookie Podcast Rookie Podcast 55: Combining House Hacking and Live in Flips with Tyler Madden Airbnb Asana Monday.com BiggerPockets Bootcamp Zoom Connect with Tyler Tyler's Instagram Tyler's Website Check out the full show notes here: https://biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-173 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s episode is all about understanding yourself. Nick Baumgart, an Enneagram expert, explains how to use the information from the Enneagram in your everyday life. The Enneagram test is used as a way to understand your emotional habits. Unlike other popular personality tests, the Enneagram focuses less on what you do and more on who you are. The test breaks down your motivations into three parts: fear, body, and mind. When you truly understand what motivates you, you're able to see why you act the way you do and can start taking steps to fix any destructive behaviors. This knowledge also goes a long way when interacting with other people. This test is ideal for teams because instead of putting yourself in their shoes and still looking at problems from your perspective you can “understand them in their shoes." Nick talks about how powerful of a tool this test is and how it could have changed his life if he had found it earlier, so do yourself a favor and let this test change your life today! Links from the Show Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram Tyler Madden's BiggerPockets Profile The Myers Briggs Company The Narrative Enneagram Tony Robbins' Profile DISC Assessment Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-172 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 2022 housing market is off to a wild start. We’ve seen home inventory at decade lows, interest rates have finally started to rise, and more homebuyers are looking at fewer houses. As a real estate investor, it can be tough to navigate a market like this, especially when you’ve never bought a rental property before. What you need is data behind the decision making, and today, we’ve got just that! Joining us today is Dave Meyer (@thedatadeli), VP of Data and Analytics at BiggerPockets, and host of the brand new podcast, On The Market. Dave has spent the last decade analyzing real estate data so he and the BiggerPockets community as a whole can invest smarter. Today, Dave dives deep into the most pressing matters of the real estate market, ranging from topics like interest rates, to housing crash indicators, determining the best rental market, and more. If you want to hear a high-level update on everything happening within the world of real estate investing, plus some predictions for this year’s housing market, stick around! Dave will give you all the analytics-based insight you need! In This Episode We Cover Relying on data vs. emotions when buying your first rental property Whether or not now is the right time to buy real estate What’s impacting today’s housing market and using uncertainty to your advantage The best investing moves to make if a recession (or crash) is on the horizon What rookies should look for in a real estate investing market Buying real estate with a long-term outlook (so you can handle the dips!) And So Much More! Links from the Show Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram Scott Trench's BiggerPockets Profile Josh Dorkin's BiggerPockets Profile James Dainard's BiggerPockets Profile Brandon Turner's BiggerPockets Profile Henry Washington's BiggerPockets Profile Kathy Fettke's BiggerPockets Profile David Greene's BiggerPockets Profile Jamil Damji's LinkedIn Profile Daryl's instagram Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group BiggerPockets BiggerPockets Forums Real Estate Rookie Youtube Channel The Rookie Investor Real Estate Rookie Podcast BiggerPockets Blog AJ Osborne Podcast Redfin FRED BiggerPockets Rent Estimator FundRise Stop Waiting for a Housing Crash (Do This Instead) Connect with Dave On The Market Dave's Instagram Check out the full show notes here: https://biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-171 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week’s question comes from Channa through Ashley’s Instagram direct messages. Channa is asking: I have three rental properties and am looking to refinance them all. Should I do an adjustable-rate portfolio loan on all three or do separate fixed-rate loans on each property? As real estate investors, we tend to have many different options when financing rental properties. Some, like adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs), may come with lower closing costs and slightly lower interest rates, while fixed-rate mortgages have slightly higher interest rates but boast the added security of long-term financing for a property or properties. While both have definitive pros and cons, the implications of both types of loans must be understood before you reach the closing table. Here are some suggestions when making the choice: Understand your long-term strategy for the property and which loan works for which exit strategy Run an amortization schedule on both loans to see the difference in your monthly payment If you decide to go with an ARM, make sure you know what you’ll do once your low-interest rate ends Calculate total closing costs to see if you have the reserves ready to go through with each loan 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 The BiggerPockets Money Podcast Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-170 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stacey Stegenga wasn’t always a landlord, she was a nurse. But not just any nurse, Stacey was a flight nurse, helping transport military patients across the US. When she stepped away from flight-nursing, she picked up travel nursing, moving around the US for months at a time to provide medical care wherever needed. She finally ended up in Denver, where her pay was cut in half and her expenses saw a drastic boost. This was a massive change for Stacey. She wasn’t the best at budgeting and knew she needed more income. After stumbling upon the book Set for Life, by our own Scott Trench, she knew that the most logical conclusion to fix her financial troubles was saving, house hacking, and real estate investing. But at the age of thirty-three, Stacey questioned whether or not she was too late to get in on the cash-flowing action. After educating herself intensely, she took the risk and jumped into real estate. Stacey was able to build a seven-unit portfolio in just two years! She’s tried her hand at out-of-state investing, raising private capital, partnering on deals, and mid-term rentals, all of which have worked out generously in her favor. She shares the exact steps she took to build her portfolio as fast as she did, so you can do the same! In This Episode We Cover Fixing your personal finances before trying to invest in real estate Building a “financial runway” that allows you to buy properties, stress-free In-state investing vs. out-of-state investing and the best choice for those in pricey markets Scaling your real estate portfolio using cash offers (even if you don’t have the money) Using mid-term rentals as a way to keep rent stability while boosting your profit The risk vs. reward of buying properties sight unseen when investing out of state And So Much More! Links from the Show Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram Scott Trench's BiggerPockets Profile Tyler Madden's BiggerPockets Profile Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group BiggerPockets BiggerPockets Forums BiggerPockets Bootcamp Real Estate Rookie Youtube Channel MLS The War Room PropStream DirectSkip BatchLeads Appfolio Connect with Stacey Stacey's Instagram Check out the full show notes here: https://biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-169 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How much cash flow do you need to quit your day job and go full-time into real estate investing? You may have a big number in your head when we ask that. Maybe you’re thinking of replacing a six-figure salary with six-figure cash flow, but that's probably far from what you truly need to quit. In fact, you can quit with a lot less cash flow than what you’re being paid today! Joining us again is Daryl Clinch, who recently went full-time into real estate investing with his mentor and partner, Ashley Kehr. Daryl transitioned from seasonal employment to full-time investor after working at his job for sixteen years and deciding he needed a change. In today’s show, Daryl breaks down exactly how he prepared to quit, the cash savings he had, and the surprising amount of cash flow that allowed him to achieve occupation-independence! Looking to do the same as Daryl? Here are some suggestions: Find a mentor who can fast-track your knowledge and learn from them Partner up on deals with other investors and provide value whenever possible Calculate your true cost of living to find your minimum cash flow to quit Keep a strong safety reserve so you can focus on getting deals (not paying bills!) 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 Rookie Podcast 164: Rookie Reply: How Do I Escape My 9-5 with Real Estate Investing?Real Estate Rookie Facebook Grou Rookie Podcast 147: 13 Flips as a Full-Time Flight Mechanic and Part-Time Lender w/ Anthony Michael Real Estate Rookie Podcast Daryl's Instagram Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-168 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As a dreamer and life-long learner, Hashim Ismail makes it a goal to push himself. Hashim officially started his real estate investing journey eleven months ago but began learning about real estate just two years ago. He dealt with analysis paralysis, but after making a goal to start in 2021, he decided to jump in with both feet. Through hard work, dedication, and optimism, Hashim has closed on seven properties in eleven months. Since Hashim invests out-of-state he dealt with a whole new set of obstacles apart from the usual challenges new investors face. He combatted this by using the BiggerPockets forums to learn and network as much as possible. Hashim used keyword research on the site to find and connect with key players in the Memphis market. Through the new connections he made, Hashim educated himself on the area, without having to physically visit! Investing out-of-state can be risky within itself, so Hashim has created a series of processes to mitigate risk as much as possible. While redundancy is a large part of his process to reduce and catch errors, Hashim has found immense success simply by stepping out of his comfort zone. In This Episode We Cover Analysis paralysis and how to use goal-setting to overcome it How to use the BiggerPockets Forums to build your investor network Out-of-state investing and how to penetrate a market you know nothing about Using processes to mitigate risk and how to make a repeatable investing system Desk appraisals and why they’re worth every penny How to approach networking and get the most out of every interaction And So Much More! Links from the Show Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram Tyler Madden BiggerPockets Profile Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group BiggerPockets BiggerPockets Conference BiggerPockets Forums Facebook Business Ads Real Estate Rookie Podcast BiggerPockets Investment Calculators BiggerPockets Bootcamp Fixated On Real Estate Cardone Capital Grant Cardone Google Maps Zillow Redfin Starbucks Walmart James' Instagram James' Youtube Channel Rookie Podcast 165: A Step-by-Step Guide to Estimating Rehab Costs w/ Master Flipper & Investor James Dainard (Part 1) Rookie Podcast 166: Finding Contractors, Renovation Red Flags, and Estimating Rehab Costs (Part 2) w/ James Dainard Stessa Instagram Rentometer Connect with Hashim Hashim's Linkedin Profile Check out the full show notes here: https://biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-167 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to part two of a rehab estimation masterclass with real estate mogul James Dainard! As mentioned in part one, James has created a multi-level brokerage where he has been involved in 3,000 transactions. His excess experience has allowed him to create an almost scientific process for his flips. In today’s podcast, James builds off part one and gives you a step-by-step guide on how to emulate the process that has given him his success. James goes over what and who to bring when visiting a property, closing on a property, writing a contractor contract, and finalizing a project to perfection. Each process includes tedious details that may seem daunting at first, but as the saying goes, the devil is in the details. While the initial steps may seem meticulous, once you begin making the process repeatable and do it continuously, it's second nature. James perfected his flipping and renovation processes through trial and error, and if you listen closely you can avoid commonly made mistakes and have an advantage over most new investors. To be the best you have to learn from the best—so listen closely! Links from the Show Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram BiggerPockets Real Estate Rookie Podcast Rookie Podcast 165: A Step-by-Step Guide to Estimating Rehab Costs w/ Master Flipper & Investor James Dainard (Part 1) Biggest Red Flags When Buying a House (Flips and Rentals) Apple BiggerPockets Youtube Channel BiggerPockets Luxury Farmhouse Flip | Breakdown Walkthrough - w/ Ashley Kehr Check out the full show notes here: https://biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-166 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to part one of a rehab-estimation masterclass with real estate mogul James Dainard! James has earned his title by being involved in 3,000 transactions over the past fifteen years and creating a multi-level real estate brokerage. He has mastered the art of estimating rehab costs which has allowed him to invest on a seriously large scale. Currently, he is working on thirty flips and has 400 apartment doors under construction, so not only has he had past successes, but he is consistently learning and adjusting to the rapid changes of the market. James is an investor to not only learn from but to emulate, and today he gives a step-by-step guide to do just that. James breaks down renovation steps like building a team, getting a budget sheet together, and vetting workers, contractors, and properties in vast detail. The underlying theme behind each of his steps is meticulous preparation. As an investor, one of the best things you can do for yourself is to prepare and get rid of any variation in your processes. By perfecting his preparation processes, James has been able to minimize variation and save himself in the long run. Do yourself a favor and listen to these next couple of podcasts intently— it could save you serious time, headache, and money in the future! In This Episode We Cover How to find a contractor that aligns with your project’s budget and goals How to vet contractors so your time (and theirs) is respected on a job The “plug and play” method and how to break down your scope of work How to organize your budget sheet and estimate rehab costs efficiently What it takes to master flipping, BRRRRing, or any home renovation And So Much More! Links from the Show Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram BiggerPockets Podcast 338: From Red Robin Waiter to 250 Units (Using the MLS) with James Dainard BiggerPockets Real Estate Rookie Podcast Connect with James James's Instagram James's Youtube Channel Check out the full show notes here: https://biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-165 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week’s question comes from Nash through Ashley’s Instagram direct messages. Nash is asking: How do I quit my job and become a full-time real estate investor? Nash isn’t alone in asking this question. Almost every Real Estate Rookie Podcast listener has pondered this as well. Even our hosts, Ashley and Tony, asked themselves this before leaving their jobs to pursue real estate investing full-time. What makes today's episode even more special is that Ashley’s partner, Daryl Clinch, just left his nine-to-five as well! Daryl is here to help answer Nash’s question on exactly what it took to leave his back-breaking work and pursue financial independence. Here are some suggestions: Live below your means—it’s much easier to replace your income when your expenses are low If you have no investing experience, find an investor that could benefit from your knowledge Calculate your “worst-case scenario” (it’s probably not as scary as you think) Quit professionally so you can return to work (if needed) Stay educated by listening to the Real Estate Rookie Podcast! 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 Facebook Group Real Estate Rookie Youtube Videos Daryl's Instagram Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-164 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Despite what most people would like to think, success has no timeline. There will be some "perfect" opportunities that don’t work out, which is why you must persist. You can either become stuck in one failure or use that failure to propel you forward. Our guest, Andrew Bresee, has learned to use missed opportunities to propel him forward. Andrew was infected with the “real estate bug” in his teenage years after reading Rich Dad Poor Dad. While he didn't start his real estate journey that young, he began developing the skills that have made him a successful entrepreneur early on. Being persistent has helped Andrew in more ways than one. In school, he had the opportunity to study abroad in Italy and like many others, he loved it so much he didn’t want to leave. For weeks he continued to ask to stay and for weeks he continued to get rejected, but he refused to take no for an answer. After a while, the administration finally relented and let him stay as long as he agreed to work as a handyman. Had he accepted his fate, Andrew would have missed out on another year in a beautiful country with the love of his life who is now his wife. When he came back, he lived with his parents, and instead of rushing to get to the next chapter of his life, he took a step back and found an opportunity right where he was. He decided to convert his parent's basement into an apartment that they could eventually rent out. While it took six years to complete, it currently cash flows and gave him experience with the rehab process. After that, he found the fourplex that he lives in now which cash flows about $1,200 a month! He found his current fourplex after he didn't qualify for a fourplex he thought was "perfect". Opportunities can be found in any failure or redirection—you just need to look hard enough. In This Episode We Cover The power of persistence and how to make life work for you Understanding a seller and how catering to their needs can ultimately benefit you Optimizing your Airbnb descriptions to attract your ideal tenant Establishing your short-term rental vs your long-term rental and why it’s important to approach them differently The importance of finding the right real estate agent who understands your goals and intentions And So Much More! Links from the Show Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram Brandon's BiggerPockets Account Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group BiggerPockets BiggerPockets Real Estate Rookie Youtube Channel BiggerPockets Podcast 448: The Lazy Person’s Guide to Financial Freedom in Less Than 10 Years with Dion Mcneeley The BiggerPockets Podcast BiggerPockets Forums Google Google Voice Facebook Airbnb Yahoo Furnished Finder Lowe's Credit Cards Real Estate Rookie Podcast BiggerPockets Investment Calculators BiggerPockets Blog BiggerPockets Pro Membership The Section 109 Podcast Check out the full show notes here: https://biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-163 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week’s question comes from Carlos, who directly messaged Ashley on the BiggerPockets Real Estate Rookie Bootcamp! Carlos is asking: Do you recommend, or is it even possible, to use a hard money lender from a different state? Hard money lenders and hard money loans are a crucial part of real estate investing for many real estate investors. If you’re a rehabber, flipper, or BRRRR-er, there’s most likely a chance you’ll need hard money in the future. But how do you find a hard money lender without past experience with one? Here are some suggestions: Use investor referrals and sites like BiggerPockets to find hard money lenders Be specific when you ask a hard money lender questions to make sure they can lend in your area Inquire about the criteria that your hard money lender looks at when lending Relay your strategy to your hard money lender, to ensure they can lend on the property type you’re looking at 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 Facebook Group BiggerPockets Website BiggerPockets Rental Property Calculator Instagram ARVC Google BiggerPockets Real Estate Investing Bootcamp BiggerPockets Forums BiggerPockets Rookie Waitlist Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/rookie162 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Real estate favors those who value risk. An investor’s willingness to take a calculated risk separates the good from the great. And today’s guest, Grace Gudenkauf, is definitely on her way to greatness. This ambitious 24-year-old has managed to get seventeen doors between eight properties under her belt in less than a year, and she shows no signs of slowing down. She was first introduced to real estate when her boyfriend decided to flip a house. It didn’t pique her interest until she reviewed the numbers and saw the potential. Since then, hard work and calculated risk have allowed her to have the accelerated success any new investor dreams of. A substantial amount of this success is due to her and her boyfriend making it a point to “never let the money stop them”, they “get the deal first and then find the money.” Most would be reluctant to take this approach, but it has worked phenomenally for Grace. From talking directly to a VP at a local bank to deciding to leave her W-2, Grace keeps taking risks in the name of real estate, and it keeps paying off. When it came to deciding if she would leave her W-2 or not, Grace looked at the worst-case scenario to weigh her options. After it was all laid out—her worst-case financially, emotionally, and socially—she decided the risk was well worth it. This is an episode you don’t want to miss. In This Episode We Cover Taking on big rehabs as a rookie and how to DIY to save money How to find creative ways to finance your property Creating an LLC and structuring it so you can have fewer headaches and more properties Residential vs commercial loans and why commercial loans can be a helpful resource to any investor Commercial loan qualifiers and how to improve your chances of getting approved How to look at the worst-case scenarios so you can feel confident in your risk tasking And So Much More! Links from the Show Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram James' Instagram Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group BiggerPockets Website BiggerPockets Real Estate Rookie Youtube Channel BiggerPockets Podcast 109: From Sleeping in His Car to Multi-Unit Landlord & The "Nomad" Strategy The BiggerPockets Podcast BiggerPockets Forums Alpha Geek Capital Website Google Google Voice Google Suite Check out the full show notes here: https://biggerpockets.com/rookie161 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week’s question comes from AJ through Ashley’s Instagram direct messages. AJ is asking a question many new investors have: If I borrow down payment money from friends or family, what’s the best way to pay back the down payment while cash flowing on the property? For many rookie investors who don’t have large cash sums sitting around, much of their initial investment has to be done through borrowed money. This means not only getting a conventional loan from a bank but privately financing their down payment as well. But, before you start asking your grandma for some “seed funds”, make sure that your bank will allow you to borrow down payment money. Here are some suggestions: Double-check that your bank allows borrowed down payments, if not, try and receive a “gift” from a family member Work out a payment plan with your private lender before closing on the deal Pay back the down payment personally and count it as an initial investment in your CoC calculations Offer equity or a delayed payout as a way for you to maximize cash flow in the deal 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 Facebook Group BiggerPockets Website BiggerPockets Rental Property Calculator Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/rookie160 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Knowing how to find a real estate agent is one thing. Knowing how to find a truly investor-friendly agent is another. While most real estate agents and realtors can show you homes on the market, send you MLS listings, and do the needed paperwork, investor-friendly agents do much, much more. These types of agents are so important to a real estate investor, that they can be thought of as a more permanent part of your team. They’ll find deals, leads, help you run numbers, and give you what you need to grow your real estate portfolio. But how do you find them? This was a question that real estate investor, agent, and coach, Sarah Weaver asked when first getting into out-of-state investing. In fact, Sarah was doing more out-of-country investing than most other investors. As a digital nomad, Sarah was traveling throughout the US, Canada, and New Zealand buying rental properties without ever laying an eye on them. She was able to do this thanks to her rockstar real estate agents. Now, after almost perfecting the long-distance real estate investing strategy, Sarah is back to share with rookie investors how they too can find an investor-friendly agent to help them scale. If you haven’t already, check out the BiggerPockets Real Estate Agent Finder Tool, you’ll instantly have access to dozens of investor-friendly agents in your area that can help you close on your next deal! In This Episode We Cover Investing in real estate while out of state, out of the country, and far from home The best questions to ask a real estate agent to see whether or not they’re truly “investor-friendly” Defining your crystal clear criteria so top agents take you more seriously What a great agent should (and should not) know about an investing area Building the investor-agent relationship so you both benefit for years to come Qualifications an investor must meet before reaching out to real estate agents And So Much More! Links from the Show Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group BiggerPockets Website Facebook BiggerPockets Real Estate Rookie Youtube Channel MLS BiggerPockets Agent Connect BiggerPockets Podcast 563: W2 retired and Traveling the World with Just 15 Units w/ Sarah Weaver BiggerPockets Investment Calculators The BiggerPockets Podcast BiggerPockets Forums BiggerPockets Rent Estimator Check out the full show notes here: https://biggerpockets.com/rookie159 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week’s question comes from Ryan through Ashley’s Instagram direct messages. Ryan is asking: What job would be best for real estate investors? I’m currently doing maintenance for a contractor, but am having minimal takeaway. What’s the best move for financial freedom? Real estate side hustles and full-time jobs come in all different shapes and sizes. What one job path may lack in salary, it may make up for in experience and connections. What’s more important than immediately jumping ship at your current job is to see what you can do within your role to grow your skillset. So how do you get paid, gain experience, and buy more rental properties? Here are some suggestions: Look for opportunity within your current role and ask to take on more of what interests you Ask an investor if you can work with them directly, you’ll learn a ton! If you’re having trouble getting deals, look for a partner to invest with Fully understand your expectations within your current and future roles 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 Rookie Facebook Group Real Estate Rookie Youtube Channel Google Rookie Podcast 147: 13 Flips as a Full-Time Flight Mechanic and Part-Time Lender w/ Anthony Michael Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/rookie158 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Property management is a difficult yet crucial part of real estate investing. In today’s episode, our guest, Adam Widder, who was a former property manager, shares his four guiding principles that make property management more manageable. Adam got his start after college while stationed in Kansas. A fellow ROTC member advised him to start investing, and following his advice, Adam tried to find a property near Kansas State. Unfortunately, he couldn’t find anything that cash flowed, so he did a live in flip instead. He made a solid profit from his first flip and continued to do live in flips with two other properties. Before he got into real estate investing, Adam was a commercial property manager, which gave him the experience he needed to handle any property management issues in his own buildings. Based on his experience, Adam has generated four keys vital to your property management success. These four keys can simplify a considerably complicated part of your real estate journey and give you a definite advantage over your competition. In This Episode We Cover Live in flips and why they’re a great option for new investors Conventional real estate loans vs FHA Loans and why conventional loans can sometimes be the better option Self-management vs property management and how to figure out which one is better for you How to find the right property manager (& red flags you should look out for) The 4 crucial keys to headache-free property management How to set up the right working relationship with your property manager And So Much More! Links from the Show Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group BiggerPockets Website Brandon's BiggerPockets Account Zillow Apartments Website Facebook National Apartments Association Mindy's BiggerPockets Account BiggerPockets Pro BiggerPockets Business Podcast 105: The MOST Profitable Skill to Learn (From a $200M+ VC Investor) with Codie Sanchez BiggerPockets Rookie Youtube Channel MLS Airbnb Check out the full show notes here: https://biggerpockets.com/rookie157 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week’s question comes from Xavier through Ashley’s Instagram direct messages. Xavier is asking: Can I use an FHA loan for a vacation rental? What’s the best way to scale without paying high down payments? Xavier brings up a great question that many rookies have been asking. We all know we can get a conventional loan with very low down payment requirements for an owner-occupied investment like a house hack, but what about a vacation rental? Before you bombard your mortgage lender with questions, listen to what Tony (short-term rental expert) has been using for his vacation rental financing. Here are some suggestions: Look into vacation home loans, you can secure a property with only ten percent down Find a lender who’s familiar with funding vacation rentals, this will save you a lot of time Understand the geographical limitations that come with vacation home loans Make sure you’re able to use your vacation rental property for personal use at some point in the year 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 Rookie Facebook Group Real Estate Rookie Youtube Channel Real Estate Robinsons Youtube Channel How to Buy a Short Term Rental with Only 10% Down BiggerPockets Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/rookie156 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every investor wants all their properties to be loaded with high cash flow, but that’s usually not the case. Realistic expectations are essential to the longevity of your career and the maximization of your investments. Progress over perfection should always be the goal. As today’s guest, Ali Garced, stated, “progress is progress, and it will eventually add up”. Given that her dad is an investor, Ali has always been exposed to real estate, but it wasn’t until she was in the military that she decided to pursue it for herself. Once she realized how great of a resource VA loans are, Ali was determined to buy a house for herself. She purchased a house through the MLS but had to deploy before moving in, so that gave her another opportunity—renting it out. While it had seemed like a great idea, Ali later learned about the 1% rule and realized she was merely evening out after expenses and had no cash flow. This left her questioning if real estate was for her until she checked the appreciation of the house last year. From 2016 to 2021, Ali was shocked to find that the house appreciated double the price. Her unintentional buy and hold profited more than what she wanted to get from renting—a very pleasant surprise. Since then, Ali has invested in four other properties, including an out-of-state turnkey and a duplex. While none of these properties have been a “home run”, Ali is more than thankful for her “base hits” because they helped her build wealth faster than she imagined. Turns out that it’s hard to not make money when buying the right real estate! In This Episode We Cover The VA loan and how it’s an incredible resource for military families The 1% rule and why it’s an important calculation to make when deciding on future or current investments Property management vs self-management and how to decide between the two The importance of having the right permits and how to check them The classic buy and hold method and how to make a profit with minimal work And So Much More! Links from the Show Real Estate Rookie Youtube Channel Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group BiggerPockets Instagram Sara's Instagram BiggerPockets Calculator MLS Airbnb BiggerPockets Bootcamp Check out the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/rookie155 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re continuing the Rookie Reply Direct Message trend! This week’s question comes from Minnie through Tony’s Instagram DMs. Minnie is asking: Should you partner with family members when investing in real estate? While this may not be the most fun question that Tony has received in his DMs, it’s a very necessary one to answer, as many real estate investors start their journey partnering with family. While at times it can be stressful, working with family can also be rewarding in more ways than just financial. But, if you want to work with someone close to you, be prepared to treat your investment like a business. Here are some suggestions: Treat it like a partnership by signing an operating agreement or joint venture agreement Make sure your family member knows the risk of investing Don’t do anyone favors, present great investing opportunities instead of asking for money If you feel like you need to update your partnership agreement, do so quickly and with the consent of your partners 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 Rookie Facebook Group Real Estate Rookie Youtube Channel Real Estate Robinsons Youtube Channel Mini_vannnn's Instagram Omid Tehranirad's Instagram Alpha Geek Capital Scott Trench's BiggerPockets Account Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/rookie154 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Real estate requires a lot of self-motivation and discipline to succeed. Successful investors know that nothing happens overnight and nothing comes to you easily. Today’s guest, Terry Harris, had the perfect amount of drive and persistence when he began his real estate journey. He now owns five properties and has closed twenty wholesale deals. Terry started getting into real estate when he came to terms with his G League contract only lasting about six months. He wasn’t sure what to do with his free time until he picked up The Book on Rental Property Investing and started listening to BiggerPockets. He started bringing books with him on the road and while his teammates teased him for always having his nose in a book, it was during those rides that he decided he was going to buy a house. He bought his first house and while it didn’t go as planned at all, the house appraised for double the price and he was beyond proud of himself for seeing it through. One of the hardest things for him during his first deal was the lack of community he felt, but he filled that gap by relying on the BiggerPockets community. Unfortunately, COVID quickly put a pause on him investing in any other properties, but Terry didn’t let that stop him. He moved to LA for basketball and began looking into another aspect of investing—wholesaling. After practice, he began dedicating an hour to driving around looking for vacant properties and listening to podcasts. He started cold calling and while he missed out on a big potential first deal, he did twenty successful deals after that. While he has found success in wholesaling and enjoyed it, he wants to now transition into investing in more properties himself and gain a more passive income. In This Episode We Cover How to use FHA loans and seller credits to help you purchase properties Succeeding in real estate without a strong support system and building your investor community The importance of cold calling and how to add it into your busy schedule Saving vs splurging and how to encourage yourself to funnel more money into investments Wholesaling land and the three indicators of a successful land deal And So Much More! Links from the Show Real Estate Rookie Youtube Channel Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group Rookie Podcast 91: 8 Units, 10 Wholesale Deals, and $0 Spent on Marketing w/ @Liliinvests BiggerPockets Podcast BiggerPockets Forums BiggerPockets Facebook Group Thach Nguyen's Instagram Brent Daniels's Instagram Airbnb Ryan Dossey's Instagram Propstream Google Maps LandGlide App OnXHunt App MojoDialer Roor App Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/rookie153 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ashley and Tony’s DMs are open for real estate Q&A business! Just like last week, this week’s question comes from Tony’s Instagram DMs. The question? How are you scaling your real estate portfolio so quickly? How do you finance your deals? For most rookie investors, real estate financing seems like a big hurdle to get over. With deals flying off the MLS so quickly nowadays, having your funding locked and loaded is as important as ever. Thankfully, even if you don’t qualify for bank financing (or you’ve maxed out your personal loan limit), you can still find some phenomenal financing options. Here are some suggestions: You don’t need the money, use a partner as a source of funding Using a cash-out refinance or HELOC from a current property to fund your deals Walk into your bank and ask what they can do for you (you may be surprised by your options) Ask the seller about owner financing to close on deals without the hassle of a bank 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 Rookie Facebook Group Real Estate Rookie Youtube Channel Real Estate Robinsons Youtube Channel A General Contractor (Almost) Ruined Our Rehab Yelp James Dainard's Instagram Sara's Instagram Swaterzzz's Instagram Rookie Podcast 102: $10M Profit On Her First Deal?! It’s Possible with Campground Investing BiggerPockets Podcast Ryan Pineda's Instagram Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/rookie152 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most people assume they’ll achieve financial freedom after they make their dream salary, but what they don’t realize is you can’t out-earn your toxic money habits. Today’s guest, Daniel Shin, learned this quickly when he started making his full-time surgeon salary. As a child, Daniel was fortunate enough to live the ideal suburban lifestyle, but when his dad got laid off during a recession, things quickly changed for the worse. After seeing his parents struggle to put food on the table, young Daniel decided he would do everything he could to prevent himself from being in a similar situation financially. Once Daniel started making his surgeon salary he assumed he’d be financially stable, but he began to expand his lifestyle to his salary and started drowning financially. It was at this point he decided to turn to real estate investing. He started by listening to BiggerPockets and decided investing was for him once he realized he could reach financial freedom faster through real estate. The first couple properties he invested in were turnkey properties. With less risk, Daniel felt it was a comfortable start to his investing journey, but after a while he wanted more of the action. Over the last three years, he has acquired about twenty-eight units including four duplexes and two small apartment buildings. Daniel is now focused on building his “real estate empire” while becoming financially free. In This Episode We Cover How to balance your salary and spending habits (and live below your means) The benefits of investing in turnkey properties and how to find a turnkey operator How to deal with a “bad” property and how to prevent investing in any more future headache rentals How to show possible investors, mentors, or partners that you’re committed The importance of getting thorough inspections and the consequences of skipping them And So Much More! Links from the Show Real Estate Rookie Youtube Channel Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group Rookie Podcast 55: Combining House Hacking and Live in Flips with Tyler Madden Tyler Madden's Instagram Sara's Instagram Brandon Turner's BiggerPockets Account BiggerPockets Podcast Dave Ramsey's Podcast Grant Cardone's Podcast BiggerPockets Money Podcast Scott Trench's BiggerPockets Account Mindy Jensen's BiggerPockets Account BiggerPockets BiggerPockets Forums Rookie Podcast 29: Growing Your Portfolio with Turnkey Investing with Whitney Hutten and Lance Robinson Tiktok The Real Estate Robinson's Tiktok Account Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/rookie151 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ashley and Tony’s Instagram DMs have been blowing up! This week’s question comes from Collette through Tony’s Instagram direct messages. Collette is asking: Do you make offers based on pro forma or actual rent numbers? If you’re a real estate rookie or a residential-only investor, this may be the first time you’ve heard the term “pro forma” before. A real estate pro forma is simply a spreadsheet or document that projects the estimated financials on a property once capital expenditures, rent increases, or other improvements have been put in. So, should you trust those numbers? Here are some suggestions: Remember to “trust, but verify” and always run your own numbers on projected income Use multiple different investor scenarios: pro forma, current numbers, worst case, etc. Take into account the holding cost of performing a large rehab on a commercial property Calculate your working capital and CapEx budget needed to acquire the property successfully 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 Rookie Facebook Group Real Estate Rookie Youtube Channel Rookie Podcast 103: From Restaurant Waiter to 100+ Deals in Only 4 Years w/ Derrick Acuff Instagram BiggerPockets BiggerPockets Rent Estimator BiggerPockets Pro Membership Zillow Craigslist Facebook Marketplace BiggerPockets Calculator Reports Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/rookie150 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While leaving your W-2 to pursue real estate can be intimidating at first, it’s important to realize the skills you learned at your W-2 don’t all go to waste. Most of what you learned is transferable when it comes to the wonderful world of real estate investing. Instead of looking at your W-2 as a means to an end, think of it as an experience-based asset. This is exactly what today’s guest, Emily Fackler, did. As a former salesperson, Emily was no stranger to the word “no”. In fact, she had heard it so many times she has created a thorough follow-up system to combat it. This follow-up system led her to her first flip, purchasing a home that multiple people told her “was already sold”. Her first flip took her 17 months and while she did two other flips besides that, she soon realized flipping wasn’t for her. This took her to her next real estate venture: mobile home investing. Emily partnered with her best friend and bought a 39 lot mobile home park for a mere $139,000. Compared to flipping homes, Emily loves it! Investing in mobile homes makes more sense for her financially and allows her to have a sense of relationship with all her tenants. She has been able to hire a property manager to handle all the logistics and hopes to bring more homes into the park. After finding her niche with mobile homes, Emily is ready to hit the ground running and eventually be known as the “Mobile Home Park Queen”. In This Episode We Cover The importance of follow up and how much of a difference it can make in your business How to finance your flips, rental properties, and mobile home parks Structuring family partnerships and the benefits of working with those you trust How to pitch investors on a potential deal so they feel confident in your value The “stair-stepping method” and how to increase rent in a gradual, less intrusive way And So Much More! Links from the Show Real Estate Rookie Youtube Channel Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group BiggerPockets Podcast Ed Mylett's Website The MFCEO Project Podcast BiggerPockets Conference BiggerPockets Clayton Homes Open Door Capital Instagram Facebook Rookie Podcast 91: 8 Units, 10 Wholesale Deals, and $0 Spent on Marketing w/ @Liliinvests Propstream Tony Robinson’s Podcast Netflix Hulu Realtor Zillow BiggerPockets Forums BiggerPockets Bootcamp The 7 Income Streams of Millionaires Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/rookie149 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week’s question comes from Brandon through Ashley’s Instagram direct messages (follow her @wealthfromrentals). Brandon is asking: I live in a great neighborhood where my rent is less than a potential mortgage. I’m looking to invest in a different town experiencing great growth, but I would live there myself. Is it a bad idea to purchase a rental property before purchasing my primary residence? Both Ashley and Tony had to ask themselves this same question as they started their real estate investing careers. While they took different approaches, in the end, they both agree that this decision is far more subjective than many people think, and it will entirely depend on your family plans, cash flow, and net worth calculations. Here are some suggestions: Ask “will this home purchase contribute faster to my cash flow or net worth goals?” Decide on the importance of having a “home base” in your name Understand how your financing options may change after buying the property Calculate how long it will take you to invest/buy your primary after your purchase Make the decision through a five-year lens 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 Rookie Facebook Group Real Estate Rookie Youtube Channel Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/rookie148 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To be a successful entrepreneur and investor, you need to learn how to turn a no into a yes. Today’s guest, Anthony Michael, has earned his title as a successful entrepreneur from doing just that. Through determination, calculated risk, and finding ways to create value, Anthony has done thirteen flips while also becoming a trusted lender. Anthony’s real estate investing journey started when he realized he needed to gain control of his money. After his first flip, a live in flip on the house he and his wife had just bought, he knew flipping was something he could do for profit. From there he found his first partner, one of his co-workers, and began to flip even more houses. The second partner he found rejected him at first, even though his online profile (with no profile picture) was pretty much anonymous. Despite this, Anthony was drawn to this mystery partner and his alleged “400 flips” so he flew out to meet this so-called legend and was pleasantly surprised when he was exactly who he said he was. Anthony could have stopped there but he decided to tap into a new source of income; lending. It started with him asking his neighbor what he did for a living and now he’s the top-rated lender on BiggerPockets. The ability to create value and persist has allowed Anthony to become not only a great real estate investor but an amazing entrepreneur. In This Episode We Cover VA loans and why they’re powerful home buying tools How to navigate partnerships and find the right partnership structure for both parties Promissory notes and the importance of having legitimate legal documents in place How to establish a strong partnership foundation in the beginning How to bounce back from losing money and prevent it from happening again Hard money loans and why you shouldn’t automatically write them off And So Much More! Links from the Show Real Estate Rookie Youtube Channel Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group BiggerPockets Podcast Ashley Wilson's Instagram BiggerPockets Radio Podcast 001: Building a Successful House Flipping Business and Losing Millions with Marty Boardman David Greene's Instagram Lowes The Home Depot Grant Cardone's Website BiggerPockets Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/rookie147 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Getting fired usually isn’t a good thing. But in retrospect, it was arguably one of the best things to ever happen to Tony Robinson. Before being the internet’s poster boy for short-term rental investing, Tony Robinson spent his days working for someone else while climbing up the corporate ladder. When he unexpectedly got fired (2 days before Christmas), he had to reimagine what his life would and could look like. Tony took a chance on himself and his real estate business, a chance that has paid off massive dividends to this day. He now lives life on the schedule he wants, spending time with his wife and son, without having to worry about a boss one day letting him go. Maybe getting fired (while owning real estate) isn’t such a bad thing! Thinking of leaving your job? If so, prepare like Tony did: Have a healthy safety reserve before you decide to leave Understand the job market for your specific position and whether or not you could be rehired Use your W2 income to invest in cash-flowing assets like real estate Understand the difference between “job security” and “wealth building security” 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 Rookie Facebook Group Real Estate Rookie Youtube Channel BiggerPockets Real Estate Investing Bootcamp BiggerPockets Podcast Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/rookie146 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most people describe their start in real estate investing as a thought-through process. It usually includes a tedious plan with an incredible amount of time spent gaining background knowledge—but that’s not always the case. Today’s guest, Jan Trisler, stumbled into real estate investing by accident but hasn’t been able to look back after having four successful flips, while currently working on her fifth. Now, she has hopes of getting into rental properties in the upcoming year. Jan was already in a transition period in her life as she was moving from Nebraska to Arizona as a divorcee but she decided to take it one step further and trade her 9-5 for real estate. It started with purchasing her primary residence from an auction, then later rehabbing it to realize she could do this for a profit. From there, she made the transition from rehabbing to flipping and bought two more properties from an auction. Once Jan realized that flipping was not only a sustainable source of income but something she genuinely enjoyed, she formed an LLC with her daughter and made things official. While some are hesitant to work with family, Jan and her daughter have created a great system where work is allocated fairly, their wages are paid hourly and the financial investment works perfectly for them. By taking the investing “plunge”, Jan has been able to live and finance her ideal life while doing it with the people she cares about most. In This Episode We Cover House hacking and how to get your start in real estate investing Wholesaling and whole-tailing and what that means How to make sure the job you work at matches your ideal life How to set long-term and short-term goals and how to approach them Building processes and incorporating systems that help your business prosper Outsourcing and how to train employees (even if you’ve never been a boss) And So Much More! Links from the Show Real Estate Rookie Youtube Channel Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group Auction.com MLS Hours Tracker App Time Clock App Quickbooks Quickbooks Time Tracking Rookie Podcast 109: From Sleeping in His Car to Multi-Unit Landlord & The “Nomad” Strategy Sara's Instagram Zillow Realtor Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/rookie145 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From time to time, Ashley and Tony both have questions they need answering. And thankfully, they both host a show with a real estate investor in complementary niches. This week, Ashley is prepping to scale her short-term rental empire, so she wants to know from Tony what his six top tips for vacation rentals would be. Although Tony has only been hosting for a few years now, he has a sizable portfolio that was built fast and efficiently. He’s able to charge top dollar on his vacation rentals due to his management, rehabs, and pricing strategies. If you want to max out your vacation rental income, Tony is the guy to listen to! Here are some suggestions for Ashley: Utilize comparable data to match region-standard checkout policies, nightly pricing, and minimum stays on bookings Find the niche that you can fill and will allow your rental to stand out Do whatever you can to ensure the guest leaves a positive review on your property Communicate with guests in a systematized, timely manner 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 Rookie Facebook Group Real Estate Rookie Youtube Channel BiggerPockets Real Estate Investing Bootcamp Airbnb Vrbo Robuilt Youtube Channel Hospitable iGMS YourPorter Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/rookie144 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you think about your ideal life in 5,10 or even 15 years, what do you see? When you think about your finances, what is it that you want your money to do for you? As today’s guest, Aaron Latal, so elegantly put it, when setting goals it is best to start backwards. After graduation, Aaron landed a high-paying job as an engineer and genuinely enjoyed the work he was doing, yet he felt like something was missing. Besides his job, he had nothing to fill his free time, so he turned to real estate investing. He began to read, listen to BiggerPockets and do anything he could to educate himself. Once he felt like he had a good understanding, he started his real estate journey by rehabbing the property he lived in and eventually house hacking a duplex he purchased. Shortly after that, he realized this is what he was meant to be doing. He then quit his job despite enjoying it because he knew that engineering didn’t fit the life he envisioned for himself. From there on he poured everything into real estate and wholesaling. He soon noticed that he had more of an interest in the business and process side of things so that’s what he focused on. As business picked up, he was able to outsource certain aspects of his job and focus on his strengths and what he enjoys. By working backward and understanding what he wants his life to look like in the future, Aaron is not only building his ideal life but living it. In This Episode We Cover House hacking and how to get your start in real estate investing Wholesaling and whole-tailing and what that means How to make sure the job you work at matches your ideal life How to set long-term and short-term goals and how to approach them Building processes and incorporating systems that help your business prosper Outsourcing and how to train employees (even if you’ve never been a boss) And So Much More! Links from the Show Real Estate Rookie Youtube Channel Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group Alpha Geek Capital The One Thing Podio Forefront BiggerPockets Podcast 494: The Five F-Words Every Real Estate Investor Needs to Master BiggerPockets Podcast BiggerPockets Podcast 480: Making $200k a Month After Being on the Verge of Bankruptcy Scott Trench Loom Readymode CallRail Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/rookie143 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week’s question comes from Mack through Ashley's Slack channel in the Real Estate Rookie Bootcamp. Mack is asking: How can I buy an investment property without putting 20% down? Mack has the question that many real estate investors do: how to buy with low or no money down? Thankfully, the world of real estate has a plethora of financing options from low down payment conventional and FHA loans to zero percent down loans from certain providers. Granted, you do need to check a few boxes before you can get these. Here are some suggestions: Understand the main differences between FHA loans and conventional loans Use house hacking as a way to qualify for owner-occupied financing Calculate out your PMI beforehand so you know the true cost of a sub-20% percent down loan Use a HELOC on your current properties as the down payment for new ones 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 Rookie Facebook Group Real Estate Rookie Youtube Channel Real Estate Rookie Bootcamp BiggerPockets Forums NACA Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/rookie142 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We usually get to hear from our amazing guest speakers, but as the year comes to an end, it’s time to hear directly from our dynamic show hosts. Besides hosting rookie podcasts, Tony and Ashley are living proof of how lucrative real estate can be when done right. In this end of the year special we explore Tony and Ashley’s business goals, challenges, and motivations. While it might be hard to imagine, Tony and Ashley started exactly where everyone else did, at the beginning. Before they each had their own successful businesses, they had to develop a plan, make connections, build a strong reputation, and find the confidence and motivation to keep going even through failure. In fact, despite their current success they still have to do all these things and more. Real estate investing isn’t stagnant and in order to get to or stay on top you have to be willing to evolve, change and take risks. Tony and Ashley break today’s episode into three categories: business development, partnerships and motivation/inspiration. In each category they talk about their current and past business ventures and their big takeaways. We usually get to hear small snippets about what they’re doing and how they’re doing it, but today it’s just them and it’s something you don’t want to miss! In This Episode We Cover The BRRRR strategy and how lucrative it can be for investors The importance of constantly challenging yourself and finding something you’re passionate about The benefits of finding your niche market and becoming “known” for something Why goal setting and vision planning is essential (even if you don’t know your end goal) Building your internal team and the difference between your internal and external partners The different types of partnerships and finding the right partnership structure for you And So Much More! Links from the Show Real Estate Rookie Youtube Channel Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group Brandon Turner's Instagram The Real Estate Robinsons Youtube Channel AJ Osborne's Self Storage Conference AJ Osborne's Instagram James Dainard's Instagram Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/rookie141 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Once again, Ashley’s DMs are open for questions! This week, Brendan direct messaged Ashley asking: I’m looking at a 10-unit property at $1.9M. The current owner only has 4/10 units rented, but banks require 75% occupancy to finance. The seller would be interested in owner financing. Where do I start? It’s good to note that no two seller financing deals are the same. Different sellers want different things out of a sale and it’s up to you, as the buyer, to find the things they really need to get the deal done. If you’re able to do that, you could get a great property under contract with little-to-no money down! Here are some suggestions for owner financing: Use PropStream or county records to see whether or not the seller has a mortgage/lien on the property Calculate how much you’d be comfortable putting down and relay that in your offer Run the numbers with current/Pro forma occupancy to see what the property could cash flow Know that (almost) everything is negotiable, don’t be scared to ask for flexible options 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 Rookie Facebook Group Real Estate Rookie Youtube Channel BPCON2021 Propstream Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/rookie140 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What 2022 real estate tax strategies do you have prepared? Or maybe the better question is: have you even started to plan for taxes in 2022? If you’re a real estate rookie, you probably are just dipping your toe into the wonderful world of real estate tax deductions. But, without a good bookkeeper, accountant or CPA, you could be missing thousands (if not more) in tax savings. Joining us today for our end of year tax roundup is investor, lender, and CPA Ana Klein. Ana started her real estate journey working as a public accountant, then a private accountant, and finally starting her own business. She saw the massive tax advantages her clients benefited from simply by owning rental property, so she decided to do the same. Now, Ana has a growing portfolio, complete with cash flow and depreciation to offset her income. Ana spends some time today walking through how you, a rookie or experienced investor, can benefit when investing in real estate. She also lays out the ways you can set yourself up for success with a CPA and maximize your deductible income. In This Episode We Cover How to shift from a nine-to-five mindset to an entrepreneurial spirit Converting a duplex into a triplex for only a thousand bucks What should rookies do right now to take advantage of real estate tax benefits Is it ever tax-advantaged to buy a rental property that is losing money? The good (and bad) 2022 tax code changes for real estate investors When you should contact a CPA to help with tax filing And So Much More! Links from the Show Real Estate Rookie Youtube Channel Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group Brandon Turner's Instagram Grant Cardone Seminars BiggerPockets MLS InvestorGirlBritt's Instagram Stessa Quickbooks Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/rookie139 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week’s question comes from Daniel, who reached out directly to Ashley through her Instagram (@wealthfromrentals). Aside from giving Ashley some more movie quotes to use, Daniel is also asking: How do I gather local rent numbers for my rental property? Landlords can struggle when trying to price a rental appropriately, that’s why rental comparable (comps) research can be so important when looking into a new area or when shopping for properties. Both Ashley and Tony use rental comps daily, so they can calculate the right rent price in their sleep! Here are some suggestions: Look at comparable homes in your area and see what they’re renting for on top rental sites Focus on a zip code and property type, as these will be two important factors when comparing rents Use the BiggerPockets Rent Estimator to automatically find a comparable rent price Call a local property manager and ask them what your property would rent for Start an excel spreadsheet where you can easily track days-on-market and price for rentals 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 Rookie Facebook Group Real Estate Rookie Youtube Channel Zillow Redfin Craigslist Facebook Market Place BiggerPockets Rental Estimator Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/rookie138 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you ever feel out of place as an employee? The W2 route isn’t for everyone and maybe you’ve started to feel the entrepreneurial itch. So what steps do you take when it’s time to transition into working for yourself all while building wealth through real estate? After years of being in and out of the prison system, Sterling Shrout needed a change. His whole life he considered himself a “bad employee” until he finally realized he wasn’t meant to be an employee, so he turned to real estate. He began by listening to The BiggerPockets Podcast and any other educational material he could find. From there, he became hooked on the idea of creating opportunity and building capital through self-employment. Besides owning his own home, something he never thought he would do, Sterling has now closed on ten doors in less than two years! We touch on topics like overcoming self-doubt, finding a business partner, going from an employee to an entrepreneur, triple net leases, and operating agreements. If you want to begin the journey to self-employment regardless of your past, this episode is perfect for you! In This Episode We Cover Overcoming self-doubt and not letting it keep you from pursuing your dreams The importance of having the right business partner (and how to find one) Transitioning from being an employee to an entrepreneur and why you should take the leap Triple net leases and the massive advantages that come with it as a landlord How to set up an operating agreement and why they’re essential for partnerships How to build, find and maintain business relationships (even if you don’t have any yet) And So Much More! Links from the Show Real Estate Rookie Youtube Channel Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram Real Estate Rookie FaceBook Group Rookie Podcast 129: 5 Properties After Spending 8 Years in Prison (With ZERO Credit!) BiggerPockets Podcast Craigslist Brandon Turner's Instagram Dayton Real Estate Estate Investors Network Facebook Group Linkedin Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/rookie137 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’re wondering how to buy your first rental property, there is arguably no better place on the internet to learn than BiggerPockets. Ashley Kehr should know, she tripled her portfolio after she found the BiggerPockets forums. But, in order for Ashley to triple her portfolio, she had to make the leap and buy her first deal. Today, she’ll teach you how to do the same, so you can reach financial freedom. Ashley wasn’t born into a real estate family. She worked a nine-to-five job as an accountant, only to realize she hated it and later quit. She began working for a local investor and started learning the real estate management game. Ashley then partnered with the son of her boss, who provided her the capital to begin investing. In less than a decade, Ashley was able to reach financial freedom, retire from any possibility of a regular workweek, and spend more time with her children. Now, it’s time for you to do the same! In This Episode We Cover The six-step process to go from real estate onlooker to real estate investor How real estate can help you build long-lasting, generational wealth Why doesn’t everyone invest in real estate if it’s so great? The five mistakes that almost every real estate investor makes Running through the numbers on a live real estate deal analysis Real estate strategies for every type of rookie investor And So Much More! Links from the Show Real Estate Rookie Youtube Channel Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram Real Estate Rookie FaceBook Group BiggerPockets Bootcamp BiggerPockets Forums BiggerPockets Webinars Joshua Dorkin's Website BiggerPockets BiggerPockets MarketPlace MLS BiggerPockets Calculator BiggerPockets Podcast 348: Full-Time Job, Full-Time Mom, and Full-Time Wealth From Rentals with Ashley Kehr BiggerPockets AlreadyPro BiggerPockets Newbie Worksheet BiggerPockets Newbie Slides BiggerPockets 7 Years Realtor Sold Listings BiggerPockets Conference Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/rookie136 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Real estate is a relationship-based business. As you establish more relationships within the industry, your job continues to get easier and today’s guest, Jay Simpson, is a prime example of that. With the help of his mentor, he has successfully flipped two houses and already turned one into a rental property. The primary reason he got into real estate was because he wanted the time to be actively part of his daughter’s life — a freedom his W-2 didn’t allow. His ability to cultivate meaningful relationships is the reason he has been able to find so much success as a real estate agent and investor. Jay heavily emphasizes the role his mentor plays in his real estate career, especially given that when he was new to the industry, he needed someone to show him what the classroom couldn’t. His genuine nature got him his first sale, his first flip, and a continued relationship with his lenders. Real estate has allowed him to not only free up his time but enjoy the time he has freed up, which to a family man like himself, is the dream. Investing is about more than building wealth, it’s about learning the value of time, especially because you can never get it back. In This Episode We Cover Getting your real estate license and how it can be the first step to investing Working for a broker and what that means for your career as an agent House flipping and the signs that indicate a great potential flip How to estimate rehab costs as a first timer The importance of a detailed scope of work and its benefits The importance of being genuine and authentic with everyone you encounter And So Much More! Links from the Show Real Estate Rookie Youtube Channel Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram Real Estate Rookie FaceBook Group Rookie Podcast 55: Combining House Hacking and Live in Flips with Tyler Madden BiggerPockets Podcast Zillow Lowe's 16Personalities Tony Robbins Website BiggerPockets Bookstore MLS Apartments.com Cozy Buildium rentredi appfolio BiggerPockets Forums BiggerPockets Conference Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/rookie135 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week’s question comes from Neil on the Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group. Neil is asking: I’m reading a book on financing strategies — if a loan is amortized over thirty years, how is there a balloon payment at fifteen years? What’s the difference between the two? Most real estate investors don’t run into things like balloon payments until they’ve started taking loans from private lenders or use seller financing. Balloon payments allow investors the chance to refinance earlier or pay off a loan in its entirety while also giving a seller or lender the cash they want. Considering a balloon loan? Here’s what to know: A loan is amortized over a set amount of years and interest is usually paid before principal Balloon payments force the lendee/investor to pay back the unpaid loan amount at a certain year mark Refinancing, paying off a property, or selling a property are ways to fund a balloon payment Balloon payments force investors to think further in the future for better exit strategies 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 Rookie Facebook Group Real Estate Rookie Youtube Channel Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/rookie134 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if you knew you could be fresh out of college and already owning property? Why wait for a “stable career” to start building wealth when you can dive into real estate investing, whether that be in or out-of-state? Would you start looking into investing earlier if you knew it was without age limitation? Today’s guest Karina Mejia, a 24-year-old investor, goes over her house hacking journey that helped her go from a server to a landlord. From managing tenants to investing in out-of-state properties, Karina walks through the mindset of investing from a very early age, without the emotional support of those around her. We touch on topics like house hacking, the BRRRR strategy, investing with a romantic partner, out-of-state investing, and financing your first deal. If you’re a first-time investor or college student, this episode is perfect for you. In This Episode We Cover What to do with an unruly tenant while house hacking How to invest with a romantic partner to ensure asset protection for the both of you Investing fresh out of college even if you have no experience in real estate Successfully investing without the support of those around you How to build a lease for your house hacks so tenants have a positive experience Finding the best out-of-state market for your investing strategy How to passively invest and outsource work to maximize time value And So Much More! Links from the Show Real Estate Rookie Youtube Channel Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram Real Estate Rookie FaceBook Group Rookie Podcast 125: Using OnlyFans to Fund Ownership in Her First BRRRR w/ Brin Amberlee BiggerPockets Podcast BiggerPockets Forums Experian Microsoft Excel MLS Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/rookie133 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We often hear entrepreneurs talk about how they want to “be the best” in their field. It’s the same with many real estate investors. They want to be the best wholesaler, flipper, short-term rental host, or landlord. But, does “being the best” really matter much to your customer if they can’t tell the difference between you and your competition? Probably not. Mike Michalowicz, author of Profit First, is on the show today to discuss his new book, Get Different, and why so many entrepreneurs and real estate investors have marketing all wrong. If you’ve ever tried direct mail, cold calling, or door knocking, you know the sting of quick rejection from a potential seller. Why do they reject so quickly? Because you sound just like every other real estate marketer trying to get to them. If you’re looking to entice new partners, private lenders, tenants, employees, or sellers, you need to start marketing differently. This is possible through Mike’s “D.A.D Framework” that highlights the three most important factors of marketing successfully to a prospect. In This Episode We Cover Why real estate investors need marketing more than they think Finding your competitive advantage and using it to outsmart other investors Why having a high-referral rate doesn’t mean you're succeeding at marketing Who, what, and ‘win’ to target and market to partners, private lenders, and sellers The “D.A.D Framework” and how you can capitalize on it to score leads Asking customers “what am I doing right” and making it a crucial part of your brand And So Much More! Links from the Show Real Estate Rookie Youtube Channel Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram Real Estate Rookie FaceBook Group Zillow Facebook Geek Squad Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/rookie132 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The more “traditional path” encourages a lot of waiting: waiting to get into the right school, waiting to get the right degree, the right internship, and the right job, but what about the right now? As every current and aspiring entrepreneur knows, time is money so capitalizing on the right now is essential. How do you do that? Real estate investing! Today’s guest, Rachel Morrow, knew the importance of capitalizing on the right now. At merely 20 years old she was on her way to med school when she realized she wanted to start building wealth. During her warehouse shifts, she began listening to real estate podcasts and recognized real estate was not only something she wanted to do but something she could do. This led to a big transition period in her life from the path she had always known to the path less traveled, but once she made that mindset shift, that was it. The change didn’t happen instantaneously. She had to completely start anew and work towards her goals which at one point meant working 60 hours a week for a year to get pre-approved for a loan. Her drive and persistence allowed her to close on 4 units with hopes of closing on more single-family homes in the future. We touch on topics like creating value, breaking from the “traditional” path, self-managing a house hack, finding a mentor, and being a young investor. In This Episode We Cover Breaking from the “traditional” path and finding what best suits you Building wealth without prior experience in real estate How to successfully self-manage a house hack Using your youth as an advantage when investing in real estate Getting pre-approved for a loan without high income or long work experience How to find the right mentor (especially as a newbie) And So Much More! Links from the Show Real Estate Rookie Youtube Channel Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram Real Estate Rookie FaceBook Group Steve Rozenberg Events The Real Estate Guys Real Estate Rookie Podcast Graham Stephan's Youtube Channel MLS Zillow Brandon Turner Rentredi Rookie Podcast 102: $10M Profit On Her First Deal?! It’s Possible with Campground Investing Apartments BiggerPockets Forums Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/rookie131 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week’s question comes from Rob on the Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group. Rob is asking: How do I make sure a wholesaler that is sending me deals is not a scam? With wholesaling, as with any other sector of real estate, you’re always going to have your good and bad actors. Many wholesalers are running professional businesses, but some are simply inexperienced, while others have malicious intent. Here are some suggestions on weeding out wholesalers: Have your attorney look over the assignment contract to ensure it’s legal If a wholesaler ever asks you to send funds directly to them, they’re probably not legit Know your numbers, so any suspiciously good (or bad) deals can be written off Contact wholesalers on your own so you can do due diligence upfront 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). Check the full show notes here: http://www.biggerpockets.com/rookie130 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if you treated the lowest point in your life as a beginning instead of an end? What if you were told real estate investing could be the second chance you’re looking for? Why give up when you could level up? Today’s guest, Jason Peterson, took back control of his life by doing exactly that. Instead of giving into adversity and strife, Jason found a way to turn his life around, through real estate investing. After eight years of incarceration, Jason went from a zero credit score to buying his first property a year and a half after his release. Now, he has acquired five properties and is on the path to becoming financially free. He did all this with the help of his mentor, support from his loved ones, and the education he received in a sandwich shop. So, what’s stopping you? We touch on topics like overcoming adversity, finding a mentor, seller credits, building credit, and how to invest with little capital. If you’re at a breaking point or need the motivation to keep going in the real estate investing game, this episode is perfect for you! In This Episode We Cover Overcoming adversity and not letting your past define your future Investing and buying properties with little capital or credit How the use of a mentor can help elevate your knowledge The risk involved in house hacking or investing and why it’s ultimately worth it The use of seller credits and how to get creative with your financing How to build the credit you need to invest (even if you’re starting from zero!) The time-tested buy and hold method and its advantages for rookie investors And So Much More! Links from the Show Real Estate Rookie Youtube Channel Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram Real Estate Rookie FaceBook Group Rookie Podcast 109: From Sleeping in His Car to Multi-Unit Landlord & The “Nomad” Strategy BiggerPockets Podcast Real Estate Rookie Podcast MLS Craigslist BiggerPockets Rentredi QuickBooks Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/rookie129 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ashley and Tony have been on a tear this year, buying up more homes than ever before. They’ve also been branching out into bigger commercial deals, like RV parks, campgrounds, hotels, motels, and more. While every real estate rookie knows the thrill of finding a new deal, many don’t understand the struggles that go with it. Today, Ashley and Tony walk through the biggest hurdles they’ve been facing when trying to chase bigger, better deals. One of the biggest struggles when getting into a larger real estate class is financing. You’ll hear how the hosts individually dealt with difficult financing challenges, from subject to financing to raising money and syndicating. 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 Rookie Facebook Group Real Estate Rookie Youtube Channel Vrbo Airbnb BiggerPockets BiggerPockets Podcast 527: 300 Doors, 100% Creative Financing with Pace Morby Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/rookie128 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Military members in the real estate community love to preach about how great the VA loans are for financing primary residences. They also love the fact that these primary residences can be turned into rentals, quite easily, when the military decides to station you elsewhere. This is exactly how Angel Garcia got his start; accidentally investing in real estate, all while stationed overseas. Angel bought his first house as a way to ensure financial security for his wife and daughter, but when he was re-stationed, he decided to give landlording a go. He bought another primary residence, but once again, was forced to move, leaving him with two rental properties. He started to notice the cash flow coming in, and with some help from David Green’s Book Long-Distance Real Estate Investing, he made the jump to invest out-of-state. He made an offer on the perfect property, a $55,000 duplex, but when his inspector wouldn’t even enter the house, he knew he may have made a mistake. This home had $40,000 in foundation damage that needed to be repaired, turning his small investment into a cash-heavy burden. Through perseverance and the ability to learn from past mistakes, Angel was able to make this rental cash flow a respectable amount and it allowed him to get even further along the path to financial freedom. In This Episode We Cover Opening yourself up to investing, even if you were raised without an investor’s mentality Using rental property investing as a way to secure generational wealth for your family Utilizing VA loans to get 0% down financing on your primary residence Why you need to be careful you don’t talk yourself out of a deal Why you should always “do something” even if you can’t buy a property yet Recovering from a $40,000 surprise when rehabbing a property How to help those around you even if they don’t seem interested in learning And So Much More! Links from the Show Real Estate Rookie Youtube Channel Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram Real Estate Rookie FaceBook Group BiggerPockets Podcast Brandon Turner Joshua Dorkin Youtube David Greene Zillow Realtor BiggerPockets Calculator BiggerPockets Forums Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/rookie127 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week is less of a Rookie Reply, and more of a “Rookie Ramble” as Ashley likes to call it, as Tony and Ashley ask each other questions about their road to full-time investor status. They talk about first jobs, best degrees for real estate investing, the industries they chose to go into after college, and the skills they wish they had learned earlier. Both Tony and Ashley didn’t have the end goal of investing in real estate upon graduation, but they made smart choices in their W2 careers that allowed them to go full-time when the opportunity presented itself. If you’re young or even just starting out on this real estate journey, ask yourself, “what skills do I need to develop to succeed at this?” 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 Rookie Facebook Group Real Estate Rookie Youtube Channel BiggerPockets Podcast Rookie Podcast 118: Stop Scrolling, Start Posting: Social Media for Real Estate Investors BiggerPockets Podcast 500: Robert Kiyosaki: America’s ‘Rich Dad’ Sees a Real Estate Crash Coming Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/rookie126 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You could say that Brin Amberlee isn’t a traditional real estate investor. She doesn’t have tons of experience with property management, construction, or investing, but she does have the will to succeed. After buying her primary residence in Las Vegas, Brin was prompted by friends to start listening to The BiggerPockets Podcast, where she learned about the mind-blowing BRRRR strategy. Brin's funding source for the deal? Her OnlyFans business! Hailing from Columbus, Ohio, she knew that investing in her hometown would be a perfect place to practice her first BRRRR, turning an old house into an instagramable short-term rental. With help from her father, she is personally taking the time to demo, rehab, and design this property, top to bottom. Brin touches on everything from finding an investor-friendly agent, to viewing properties, analyzing deals, getting financing, growing your personal brand, and more. She has some big plans to buy even more short-term rentals after this first BRRRR, and we doubt we won’t see her back on The Real Estate Rookie podcast very soon, with a lot more units to her name! In This Episode We Cover Resisting lifestyle creep so you can use extra money to invest Why your first BRRRR doesn’t need to be perfect Surrounding yourself with those who achieve greatness and distancing from those who don’t Vacation home mortgages vs. conventional mortgages on short-term rentals Building your brand on social media and beyond The importance of keeping healthy reserves in case a rehab goes over budget And So Much More! Links from the Show Real Estate Rookie Youtube Channel Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram Real Estate Rookie FaceBook Group MLS Airbnb BiggerPockets Rookie Podcast 123: ‘Building’ Wealth as a 24-Year-Old with 12 New Construction Projects OnlyFans Grant Cardone BiggerPockets Forums Zillow BiggerPockets Calculator Instagram Tiktok BiggerPockets Rent Estimator Investor Girl Britt Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/rookie125 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices