Ready to build your real estate empire… but not sure where to begin? Think of us as your personal trainer. From detailed breakdowns of real-world deals… to one-on-one coaching sessions and a warm, welcoming community… hosts Ashley Kehr and Felipe Mejia bring on a wide range of guests to tackle the “newbie” questions you've wondered about but might be afraid to ask. Looking to 10X your real estate investing business this year? This show isn’t for you. Looking for your first, second, or third deal -- or envisioning a more modest portfolio? Step right up. Every Wednesday, we’ll arm you with the tips, tools, and roadmaps you'll need as you embark on your journey toward financial freedom.
Listeners of Real Estate Rookie that love the show mention: felipe, biggerpockets, bp, new real estate, new investors, bigger pockets, rookie, first deal, real estate investing, closed, rei, newbies, real estate investors, ashley, real estate podcast, already know, utah, beginners, tony, great hosts.
The Real Estate Rookie podcast is an incredibly informative and inspiring show for those interested in entering the real estate investing space. Hosted by Tony and Ashley, this podcast provides valuable knowledge and insights that can boost one's confidence and ability to make deals. The hosts complement each other well, creating a dynamic and engaging listening experience.
One of the best aspects of The Real Estate Rookie podcast is the wide range of topics it covers. Tony and Ashley do a fantastic job of delving into various aspects of real estate investing, ensuring that listeners receive a comprehensive education in the field. Additionally, their guests offer excellent advice and share their own experiences, providing valuable insights for newcomers to REI. This show is particularly beneficial for beginners looking to gain knowledge and understanding before diving into their own ventures.
While The Real Estate Rookie podcast offers an abundance of valuable content, there have been occasional issues with audio playback. Some listeners have reported difficulties with certain episodes not playing properly, which can be frustrating when trying to access the valuable information shared on the show. It is unclear whether this issue stems from the show itself or the podcast app, but it is something that could be improved upon to enhance the overall listening experience.
In conclusion, The Real Estate Rookie podcast is an invaluable resource for anyone considering or just starting out in real estate investing. It provides a wealth of knowledge, advice, and inspiration from experienced professionals in the field. Despite occasional audio playback issues, this podcast remains highly recommended for its informative content and engaging hosts. Whether you are new to REI or looking to expand your knowledge base, this show will undoubtedly help you on your journey towards success in real estate investing.

You want to buy a rental property, but there's one problem: you don't have the money! The good news? You're not as far away as you probably think. If you want to save as much money as possible for a down payment, today's guest will show you how. In just two years, she went from zero to building a strong financial foundation and taking down her first property! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! When Mimi Fall was laid off from her W-2 job, it was the last straw. In that moment, she decided to take responsibility for her financial future, and that meant getting a better job, cracking down on spending, and throwing every extra dollar toward savings. All of Mimi's hard work paid off, as within two years, she was able to buy her very first rental property. Today, she rents out rooms to tenants, and the total rental income covers her entire mortgage payment and then some. In this episode, she shares her step-by-step roadmap for getting your finances in check, her favorite personal finance tips and tools, and property-saving advice for all new landlords! In This Episode We Cover How to save money (faster) and buy your first or next rental property Mimi's journey from being laid off to chasing financial freedom Covering your mortgage (and then some) with the rent-by-the-room strategy How to lay a strong personal finance foundation (starting from scratch) How to pin down your long-term real estate investing goals And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-717. Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Had enough of the nine-to-five grind? Then it's time to start engineering your exit with assets that will give you more time, flexibility, and financial freedom: rental properties. Today's guest will show you how to replace your salary with cash flow and finally start living on your terms! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Jamie Trickett had the cozy, corner-office job most people dream of, but it wasn't enough. With a three-hour daily commute on top of a 40+ hour workweek, she had very little time left for her boys. Something had to give. So, Jamie took a leap of faith and bought her first rental property. What was initially intended as a retirement asset quickly evolved into another steady income stream. Just two years later, she quit her W-2 job to go all-in on real estate investing and has stacked five rental properties in five years. Jamie hasn't just scaled to $10,000 in monthly cash flow. She's also saved six figures in taxes through cost segregation studies and other overlooked tax deductions. You don't need dozens of rentals to do what Jamie's doing. Stay tuned to learn how YOU can copy her success with a “small and mighty” portfolio! In This Episode We Cover How Jamie quit her job with a “small and mighty” real estate portfolio Making $10,000 in monthly cash flow with just five rental properties Replacing your W2 income with rental property cash flow How to save thousands in taxes with a cost segregation study Building a real estate business that gives you control of your time How to stop “shiny object syndrome” from derailing your investing goals And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-716. Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Everyone keeps saying we're in a “buyer's market,” but if that's true, where are all the real estate deals? It's easy to get discouraged after hearing “no” after “no,” but in today's episode, we're sharing the secrets to landing off-market properties and overlooked rentals on the MLS! Welcome to another Rookie Reply! Struggling to find real estate deals at the right price? Ashley and Tony will show you how to modify your approach and get your next rental property under contract much faster. Next, should you self-manage or hire a property manager? Each strategy has its pros and cons, but the right one for you depends on a few factors that we'll get into! Finally, is it ever a good idea to buy a rental property that will give you negative cash flow? Most people don't get into real estate investing to lose money each month, but we'll show you a scenario in which taking a modest loss today could pay off long-term! Looking to invest? Need answers? Ask your question here! In This Episode We Cover The secret to finding discounted real estate deals (in any market) The number one mistake new investors make when looking for off-market properties Whether you should self-manage your rental property or hire a property manager The best tools, software, systems, and processes for self-managing landlords Whether you should ever buy a rental property with negative cash flow And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-715. Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tired of your rental properties making just $50 or $100 a month? What if you could squeeze several thousand dollars out of the same properties instead? That's exactly what today's guest is doing—taking ordinary properties that you'd find on the MLS and turning them into money-making assets with one powerful investing strategy: residential assisted living. And in today's episode, he'll show YOU how to do the same! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Hans Stone has built a real estate business that brings in not $2,000, or $5,000, or even $10,000, but upward of $40,000 per month, per property. How? There's an entire generation that's starting to age out and needs private care, and Hans is providing it. And there's so much demand for these properties that, once he stabilizes the property, he rarely deals with vacancies or evictions! If you're done with the tight margins and want a strategy that will not only generate more cash flow but also help you make a difference, Hans is giving you the entire blueprint to get started! In This Episode We Cover Making $40,000 per month (per property) with residential assisted living How to find investment properties you can turn into assisted living houses The biggest risks and challenges to be aware of with assisted living investing How to protect your real estate business from a liability standpoint Why assisted living is much more about hospitality than healthcare And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-714. Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You don't need a huge savings account or even a ton of life experience to start investing in real estate. At just 18 years old, today's guest used her entire life savings to buy her first real estate deal. It was just an empty parcel of land, but it ended up becoming a $120K home-run deal that catapulted her toward 10 more deals over the next six years! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Tiffany Da Silva had just graduated from high school when she decided to go (literally) all-in on real estate investing. Despite having no credit and just $12,000 to her name, she took the plunge, using every last dollar to bid on an empty parcel of land at a tax deed sale. What was going to be a simple land flip turned into a rental property that has made her over $120,000! With proof of concept, Tiffany went back to the well, buying up several more real estate owned (REO) properties at auctions and even dabbling in new construction. Whether you feel you're too young to invest, too old to start, or somewhere in the middle, anyone can follow Tiffany's blueprint and copy her success! In This Episode We Cover How Tiffany bought her first real estate deal at just 18 years old Tiffany's journey from zero to 11 real estate deals in six years How to buy discounted properties at tax deed sales and auctions Using hard money to fund your off-market real estate deals Real estate owned (REO) properties explained (and how to find them!) And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-713. Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Need help estimating rehab costs? This is a huge unknown for many rookie investors. But not to worry—in this episode, we'll show you how to do this as accurately as possible so you have fewer surprises once you're under contract and it's time to get your hands dirty! Welcome to another Rookie Reply! If you're stuck with a property that's giving you negative cash flow, you have two choices: hold (and figure it out) or sell. The answer is more nuanced than you probably think, but we'll point you in the right direction. Next, whether you're using the BRRRR method, flipping houses, or simply updating an existing rental property, every real estate investor must perform renovations at some point. Stay tuned to learn how to accurately estimate these costs and avoid over-improving your property. Finally, agents and sellers can become frustrated by “lowball” offers, but is there such a thing as an offer that's too aggressive? We'll show you how to find discounted deals without burning bridges along the way! Looking to invest? Need answers? Ask your question here! In This Episode We Cover How to accurately estimate rehab costs (step by step) How to avoid losing money by over-improving your property What to do when your rental property is giving you negative cash flow Whether you should hold or sell an underperforming property What to know before making an “aggressive” real estate offer And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-712. Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Before you buy your first rental property, you'll need to pick an investing strategy. Should you opt for the convenience of a turnkey rental property or swing for more upside with the BRRRR method (buy, rehab, rent, refinance, repeat)? We'll help you make the right choice! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Today, we're breaking down everything you need to know about turnkey real estate and value-add rental properties. To make sure we're comparing apples to apples, we'll use the same example property, crunch the numbers, and cover both processes from start to finish—your all-in costs, project timelines, cash flow, and much more. Which strategy is more rookie-friendly? Which makes more money? Which has the biggest risks? You're about to find out! We provide a checklist of things you'll need to do before committing to one strategy or the other, and then help you make a decision that aligns with your lifestyle and investing goals. Whether you're starting from square one or have already begun narrowing down your options, this episode will give you the confidence to move forward! In This Episode We Cover The convenience of turnkey properties versus the upside of value-add real estate How to choose an investing strategy that fits your long-term goals The biggest investing risks to consider when using the BRRRR method Four crucial questions to ask before committing to an investing strategy The “checklist” to complete before buying your first investment property And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-711. Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feel stuck in a career that's slowly wearing you down? Rentals give everyday people a clear path to financial freedom and flexibility, but few take it. When today's guest had finally reached his breaking point, he grabbed the opportunity with both hands, trading his W-2 job for real estate! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Brian Flint had his “dream job,” or so he thought. After two decades of mentally and physically demanding work, a traumatic work incident caused him to rethink what he wanted his life to look like over the next 20-30 years. Thankfully, he had real estate investing to fall back on, which simplified the decision to step away from his career as a fire captain. With rental properties, Brian has been able to not only leave the grueling 100-hour workweeks behind but also fund his $1 million dream home, buy vacation rentals across the U.S., and claim thousands of dollars in tax benefits. Whether you're content at your nine-to-five or actively plotting your escape, Brian will show you how to make rentals part of your future! In This Episode We Cover How Brian left his W-2 job to focus on real estate investing (full-time!) Why Brian doubled down on rentals when his portfolio was $300,000 underwater Buying rental properties at a deep discount through VA foreclosure lists How to make money and gain experience with the co-hosting strategy Saving thousands with bonus depreciation and other tax benefits And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-710. Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Offer accepted! Congratulations—you're well on your way to buying a rental property. But first, your earnest money deposit (EMD) is due. How much do you need to put down? What about due diligence fees? And what happens if the home inspection comes back with major issues? In today's episode, we'll show you what to pay and how to protect yourself! Welcome to another Rookie Reply! Your earnest money deposit is often the first big financial commitment you'll make to your investment property. Ashley and Tony show you how to navigate the process, which contingencies to include, and what to do if an inspection goes sideways. Next, we tackle a question that forces investors to sacrifice cash flow or time: Should you self-manage your rental property or hire a property manager? Being a landlord might seem intimidating, but we've got a few tips that will make your experience much easier. Maybe you're not ready for earnest money deposits or property managers yet because you haven't found a real estate market with affordable home prices! Where should you start your search? What data should you be using? Stick around and we'll break it all down! Looking to invest? Need answers? Ask your question here! In This Episode We Cover Earnest money deposits and due diligence fees explained (and how much to pay) What to do when your home inspection comes back with major problems Self-managing versus hiring property management for your rental property Where to invest when you can't afford the home prices in your market Must-have data when choosing a new real estate market to invest in And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-709. Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don't have enough cash for a down payment or enough income to qualify for a mortgage? You're not alone—many rookies have been (or are) in your shoes. If money's the one thing standing between you and your real estate investing goals, stay tuned, because we're bringing you eight side hustles that could help you buy a rental property! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Today, we're sharing our favorite side hustles to start alongside your nine-to-five job. We're breaking down everything about these gigs, from the money, tools, and skills you'll need to get started to each strategy's income potential. Some of them take a few months to gain traction, but others can be up and running in a matter of days! And get this: each of these side hustles is proven—not just by people looking to make a few extra bucks, but by real rookie investors we've had on the podcast. Whether you're starting from zero or need a little more money to fund your next real estate deal, these ideas will give you the push you need! In This Episode We Cover Eight side hustles that could pay for your next rental property Real case studies from past Real Estate Rookie guests How to choose, start, and scale your side hustle (step by step) Startup costs, must-have tools, and income potential for different gigs How to buy, refurbish, and flip “cheap” items for a massive profit And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-708. Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you could create a few income streams that gave you an extra $10,000, $20,000 or more per year, how would it change your life? Today's guest has made a habit of turning her liabilities into cash-flowing assets, using everything from normal rental properties to mobile home parks, campers, and trucks to make more money. Stay tuned, and she'll show you how to do the same so you can reach your financial goals sooner! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! During her time in the Air Force, Kimber Rachuy spent very little time in one place, often being stationed in different states and even countries. This would make real estate investing difficult for the average investor, but Kimber took action wherever her feet were. Fast forward to today, and she has four properties and seven rental “units” in multiple countries. Like most rookies, Kimber has never had millions to invest. But by getting creative with seller financing, IRA lending, and even selling her own vehicles, she's always been able to scrounge up the funds for her next investment. In this episode, she shares her secrets to long-distance investing, the side hustles that grew her income, and more! In This Episode We Cover How Kimber scaled her portfolio to four properties and seven rental units Real estate side hustles that could help fund your next real estate deal Using a self-directed IRA (SDIRA) to make alternative investments Funding properties without the bank using seller financing Kimber's keys to long-distance investing (out of state and overseas!) The number one mistake rookies make when self-managing a rental property And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-707. Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Looking to buy a rental property? First, you'll need to decide between a single-family home and a small multifamily property. Which makes more money? And which is the better long-term investment? We're breaking it all down in today's episode! Welcome to another Rookie Reply! You've just received good and bad news. The good news? Your tenant gave you a heads up that rent will be late this month. The bad news? Rent will be late this month! What should you do—try to work with your otherwise-great tenant or enforce the terms of your lease agreement? We get into late fees, landlord-tenant laws, and even a solution that will help you keep the peace and get your rent on time! Next, what type of rental property should you buy? A single-family home or a small multifamily property, like a duplex? We weigh the pros and cons of each so you make the right choice. Forming a real estate investing partnership? You could test the waters by flipping a house or using the BRRRR method (buy, rehab, rent, refinance, repeat), but one option might be better than the other! Looking to invest? Need answers? Ask your question here! In This Episode We Cover The pros and cons of single-family rentals and small multifamily properties Which type of rental property is the best investment for YOU What to do when you've got a late-paying (or non-paying) tenant When to “work with” a tenant and when to enforce the lease agreement The best investing strategy when forming a new real estate partnership And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-706. Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sometimes the biggest obstacle to buying a rental property isn't finding real estate deals, or funding them, but getting your significant other on board! This is a major barrier for many new investors, and today, we're helping you break through that barrier. In just a few months, your partner could be a full-fledged real estate rookie, too! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! In this episode, we share our five-step framework for getting your spouse on board with rental property investing. Don't have a significant other? Use this blueprint to pitch real estate investing to a friend, family member, or coworker and form an investing partnership! We show you how to identify the long-term goals you have in common and connect them to real estate. You'll also learn how to not only address any worst-case scenarios so you come across as competent and confident but also involve them in your plan. Whether your potential partner is completely opposed to the idea, cautiously supportive, or nearly ready to jump in, we'll help you move them across the finish line! In This Episode We Cover Five steps to getting your spouse on board with real estate investing The number one reason why your partner won't invest with you (yet!) The three responses investors usually get from their non-investing partners Three small steps that will involve your spouse in your investing strategy How to form a partnership with a spouse, partner, friend, or family member And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-705. Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You don't need hundreds of rental units to design the life you want. Today's guest is busy traveling the world and only wants a handful of rental properties that can pay him while he sleeps. Since he's unable to put roots down in any one market, he's built reliable teams that keep everything running smoothly. If he can do it, YOU can too! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Nearly 20 years ago, David Epstein became an “accidental” landlord, despite having a mountain of law school debt and very little knowledge about real estate. His first property? A small New York co-op that he was forced to rent out after being sent overseas. By growing his network, he was able to keep the property occupied and managed from thousands of miles away. This opened David's eyes to the possibilities of real estate investing, but rather than scaling his real estate portfolio rapidly, David has taken a more strategic approach—picking strong long-term markets and choosing his properties carefully. Today, he owns three rentals, and as he nears retirement, he hopes to have five or six cash-flowing properties to help fund his lifestyle. Tune in to learn exactly how he plans to do it! In This Episode We Cover: How David built a rental portfolio that pays him while living overseas Getting into real estate at a more affordable price with the “co-op” strategy How to get your spouse on board with your real estate investing goals Scaling a real estate portfolio that funds your retirement lifestyle The pros and cons of investing in turnkey rental properties And So Much More! Links from the Show Ashley's BiggerPockets Profile Tony's BiggerPockets Profile Join BiggerPockets for FREE Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group Real Estate Rookie YouTube Ask Your Question for a Future Rookie Reply “Like” Real Estate Rookie on Facebook Follow Real Estate Rookie on Instagram Join us at the BiggerPockets Conference October 2-4 in Orlando. Buy tickets Sign Up for the Real Estate Rookie Newsletter Property Manager Finder Living Overseas Can Help You Earn More Money in Real Estate Over the Long Run—Here's How Grab the Book, Long-Distance Real Estate Investing David's BiggerPockets Profile David's LinkedIn Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-704. Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You've bought a rental property, but there's one curveball: you're inheriting tenants! On one hand, you're able to start earning rental income on day one. But on the other hand, how do you know you're inheriting a quality tenant, and how do you go about raising rent? In today's episode, we share everything you need to know—before and after closing! Welcome to another Rookie Reply! Which Airbnb markets are “oversaturated,” and how can you tell? Tony, our resident short-term rental expert, says there's much more to market analysis than most rookies think. Stay tuned as he shows you which data you'll need before committing to any market! Finally, how and when should you start scaling your real estate portfolio? Maybe you've bought your first rental property, have a great tenant in place, and are building some serious cash flow. At what point should you go ahead and buy your next investment property? We've got the answer! Looking to invest? Need answers? Ask your question here! In This Episode We Cover What every landlord should know before inheriting tenants and raising rent How to get tenants to ask for rent increases (with the “binder” strategy) Estoppel agreements explained (and when you need them!) How to determine if a short-term rental market is “oversaturated” How (and when) to start scaling your real estate portfolio And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-703 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What's worse than losing a real estate offer? Winning one on a “headache” rental property! Sometimes, the difference between a “good” deal and “bad” one comes down to what's written in your offer. Many real estate investors (and even agents) overlook crucial terms, and these oversights can lead to costly regrets. Today's guest is breaking down exactly what to include so your next real estate deal doesn't come back to bite you. Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Laila Smith brings 17 years of experience as a Dallas-Fort Worth real estate agent, mortgage loan officer, and investor. Over her career, she's analyzed many rental properties and written countless offers, giving her a clear understanding of where deals most often go wrong. In this episode, Laila shares the 10 essential terms she includes in every offer she writes. From seller-paid closing costs and home warranties to repair deadlines and HOA review rights, these line items could save you thousands and a ton of stress! In This Episode We Cover 10 terms you should include in every real estate offer you make Why making strong offers is one of the most “underrated” real estate skills Costly expenses you should always ask the seller to pay for How to write a “winning” offer without taking on unnecessary risk Common pitfalls that could cost you thousands on your next real estate deal And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-702 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if the life you dream of is just a few rental properties away? You don't have to have it all figured out to start. Today's guest knew close to nothing about real estate investing when he bought his first rental, but it was one of the best decisions he could have made for his future self! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Justin Whitted has been cutting hair for over 20 years, and while he's built a thriving small business in that time, the 55-hour workweeks are starting to take their toll. Justin's ultimate goal? Completely replace his business income with rental income so he can work fewer hours and spend more time with his family. And as you're about to hear, he's well on his way! Justin became an “accidental” landlord 16 years ago when his parents suggested he move out of his apartment and buy a duplex. That first house hack was a home-run deal, offsetting his living expenses, giving him monthly cash flow, and propelling him toward bigger and better deals. With every new property, Justin takes another step toward financial freedom, and by following the advice he lays out in today's episode, YOU could replicate his success! In This Episode We Cover The most “low-risk” way to start your real estate investing journey Offsetting your housing costs and “living for free” with the house hacking strategy How to create flexibility, financial freedom, and lasting wealth with real estate Creative ways to find great real estate deals in today's market Justin's number one lesson for rookie investors (after 16 years of owning rentals) And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-701 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don't think you have the money to buy a rental property? Maybe you're just looking in the wrong place! Today, we're talking about different ways to invest in real estate using your existing home equity. Whether you're buying your second, third, or fourth property, this simple strategy could help you build your real estate portfolio much faster! Welcome to another Rookie Reply! We're back with three questions from the BiggerPockets Forums, the first of which is all about home equity lines of credit (HELOCs). What are they, and how do they work? Meanwhile, another investor is considering not just a HELOC but multiple options for tapping into their equity. Should they do a cash-out refinance? What about selling the property altogether? We cover the pros and cons of each strategy so YOU can make the right choice! Finally, do you really need a property manager? What about when investing out of state? Stick around until the end, as we share our favorite software, systems, and resources for hands-on landlords—no matter the distance! Looking to invest? Need answers? Ask your question here! In This Episode We Cover Home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) explained (and how to use them) Three ways to access the home equity in your investment property How to “recycle” the same funds to buy multiple rental properties Self-managing versus hiring property management when investing from afar The one time you absolutely should hire a property manager for your rental And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-700 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is now a good time to refinance your mortgage? If you bought a rental property in the last few years, you may be watching mortgage rates and waiting for the next best opportunity to refinance. But how does the process work, how much does it cost, and when should you pull the trigger? Today's guest will tell you everything you need to know! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Last time we spoke with Danielle Daly, she had just bought her very first rental property. Since then, she has added two more properties, used the house hacking strategy to “live for free,” and just recently refinanced one of her mortgages. In this episode, she walks us through her thought process and how she determined that now was the right time to lock in a lower rate. But that's not all. Danielle also shares the two biggest lessons she's learned to date, her go-to tools and systems for self-managing rental properties, and why she's pivoting to another investing strategy in 2026! In This Episode We Cover How (and when) to refinance your rental property (step by step) How Danielle bought three rental properties in just three years Must-have tools and systems for growing your real estate business How much money you should have in cash reserves (per property!) Why Danielle is pivoting away from the co-living strategy in 2026 And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-699 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Want to retire with rentals so you can buy back your time and travel the world? Despite a successful 35-year engineering career, today's guest was still financially dependent on her nine-to-five—until she pivoted to real estate investing. In just four years, she has bought four rental properties and left her W-2 job for good. How? Stay tuned and she'll show you! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! When Sandy Lee's 50th birthday arrived, she realized she wasn't quite where she wanted to be in life. At a crossroads in her career and still needing at least another five years at her current job before retirement, Sandy was ready for a drastic change (and a new challenge!). Now, with four short-term rentals and a highly profitable real estate business, Sandy has officially retired and designed her dream lifestyle, where she gets to travel throughout the year while spending only a few hours per week on her real estate portfolio. Whether you're starting in your 20s or 50s, it's never too early or too late to invest in real estate, and Sandy is living proof! In This Episode We Cover How Sandy built a four-property rental portfolio in just four years Making $5,000 in monthly cash flow from ONE rental property How to build a real estate portfolio that supports your ideal lifestyle Scaling a large portfolio versus having 100% paid-off properties What really moves the needle for Airbnb revenue and occupancy When to hire a “revenue manager” for your vacation rental portfolio And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-698 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What's the best type of rental property for a beginner to buy? This is one of the first decisions every rookie needs to make, but between single-family homes, multifamily properties, condos, townhomes, and others, the options can be overwhelming. But not to worry—in today's episode, we point you in the right direction! Welcome to another Rookie Reply! Ashley and Tony are back with three recent questions from the BiggerPockets Forums. Imagine you're hearing about real estate investing for the first time. Where should you start? How do you know when you're ready to invest? We share a three-bucket strategy that will prepare you for that first rental property! Next, where should you invest? If you're like most rookies, you're looking for cash flow, in which case we'll show you how to pick a market with affordable home prices and strong rental demand. Finally, what type of rental property should you buy? We break down your options and show you how to choose based on your investing strategy and long-term goals! Looking to invest? Need answers? Ask your question here! In This Episode We Cover The best types of rental properties for rookie investors to buy Where to start when you're completely new to real estate investing How to find a real estate market that delivers strong cash flow The three-bucket strategy that will prepare you for buying rental properties What to do when home prices are unaffordable in your current market And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-697 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do you know if the property you're buying is a cash-flowing investment or a money pit? Too many investors think they're getting a great deal, so they rush the due diligence process, waive home inspections, and hastily close on properties without knowing what's really lurking beneath the surface. Don't let that be YOU! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Ellie Ridge was walking properties, scaling rooftops, and exploring crawl spaces with her contractor father at an early age. Now a top 1% real estate agent in the Bay Area, Ellie blends her deep home inspection knowledge and market expertise to educate home buyers on costly but avoidable mistakes. Today's episode is just that—a crash course on what every rookie should watch for when walking a property, reading an inspection report, or doing their own due diligence. Whether you're flipping houses, investing in rental properties, or buying a primary residence, neglecting these line items could cost you thousands shortly after closing. But with Ellie's tips and tricks, you'll feel more confident when making offers, renovating, and maintaining your property! In This Episode We Cover 10+ things that too many home buyers miss during the due diligence period How to protect your property's value with routine rental maintenance What to expect when you receive a typical home inspection report Estimating the age of your plumbing system (and whether it will need to be replaced) Serious hazards to watch out for when inspecting an electrical panel Why an aging roof isn't as big of a deal as you probably think And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-696 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How badly do you want to leave your nine-to-five job, retire early, or travel the world? For this mom of four, working until traditional retirement age was never an option. She's already taken down eight real estate deals in just two years, which has allowed her husband to quit his W-2 job. And she's next in line! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Molly Shepard is a U.S. Army veteran, busy mom, and full-time loan officer, and yet she's been able to carve out time to work on the one thing that will give her family financial freedom: real estate investing. Motivated to be work-optional as soon as possible, Molly has walked hundreds of houses, made dozens of offers, and bought several properties in a matter of months. But she hasn't done it without help. In this episode, Molly shares how she rapidly grew her investing network, allowing her to find more off-market properties and buy them with as little as $0 out of pocket. She also walks you through the deal that started it all—a home-run house flip that netted her $50,000 in pure profit! In this episode we cover: How Molly and her husband flipped eight houses in under two years Investing in real estate while working full-time and raising four children How Molly pocketed $50,000 in pure profit on her very first house flip Creative ways to fund your real estate deals while paying as little as $0 upfront Crucial details you can't afford to overlook during your due diligence period And So Much More! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you dream of reaching financial independence (or retiring!) in the next 20 years? Whether you're in your 20s, 30s, 40s, or 50s, it's never too early or too late to buy rental properties. Today, we're sharing a clear, 20-year roadmap that could give you a sizable real estate portfolio and more than enough cash flow to live on! Welcome to another Rookie Reply! Today's first question comes from the BiggerPockets Forums, and it's from an investor who's been priced out of their own market. Where should they start their search for more affordable home prices? We point them in the right direction while also warning them of “cheap” properties that aren't worth the risk. Next, we hear from a young couple looking to achieve financial independence in 20 years. Should they buy a home or a rental property first? What investing strategy will get them closest to their goal? Another investor is worried about short-term rental laws derailing their deal. We show you where to find your city's latest regulations so you can make the right decision! Looking to invest? Need answers? Ask your question here! In This Episode We Cover Our 20-year roadmap to achieving financial independence with rentals Whether you should buy a house or a rental property first (or both!) Where to invest when your own real estate market is too expensive The types of rental properties that give you the least appreciation (must avoid!) How to do your due diligence on a short-term rental market And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-694 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you want the benefits of investing in real estate without the hassle of being a landlord? There's an investing strategy that could give you more passive income, access to much bigger deals, and diversification across multiple properties and markets: real estate syndications. Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Today, we're talking all about syndications—how they work, how they make you money, and what goes on behind the scenes. You'll learn about the two main roles in a syndication deal—general partners (GPs) and limited partners (LPs)—and their responsibilities. We'll also show you exactly what you need to get started, whether you're the one finding and managing the property or simply coming on board as a passive investor! How does investing in a syndication deal compare to owning rental properties? We cover the pros and cons of this strategy, the biggest red flags to watch for when vetting operators (or “sponsors”), and the investing risks you must weigh before committing to any syndication deal. In This Episode We Cover How to earn more passive income through a real estate syndication Two ways to become an “accredited investor” (and get access to more deals!) The three biggest red flags to watch out for when vetting a syndication deal The main responsibilities of a general partner (or “sponsor”) The biggest advantage rental properties have over most syndication deals Serious risks to be aware of before investing your money in a syndication And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-693 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fear you'll never invest in real estate because you've been dealt a bad hand? Today's guest had a struggling business, a $70,000 tax lien, a pending divorce, and was on the brink of bankruptcy, but through hard work and persistence, she was able to completely flip her circumstances. Now, she owns a real estate portfolio of cash-flowing rentals, despite starting in her 50s! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Beth Smart is the ultimate real estate success story. Despite juggling a recent divorce and a mountain of debt, all while taking care of two toddlers, she found a way to climb out of the financial hole she was in. And she didn't slow down once she was back on her feet. From there, Beth figured out how to build real wealth with rental properties—dabbling in everything from short- and medium-term rentals to long-term rentals and even a few messy house flips! In this episode, Beth talks about the bulletproof mindset that helped her rebuild her life, the exact moment she realized she was an actual real estate investor, and the strategies she used to snowball from one property into the next! In This Episode We Cover How Beth overcame divorce, debt, and doubt to invest in real estate The crucial mindset shift that helped Beth rebuild her life (and finances) Turning $65,000 flipping profits into TWO cash-flowing rentals Growing your rental portfolio with funds from a business or side hustle What to do when your contractor quits on you (mid-project!) And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-692 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you have ANY skills that could help fast-track your real estate investing journey? Many rookies do! Whether you're good at finding deals, remodeling kitchens, or managing rental properties, there are several ways to use these in-demand skills to your advantage. In this episode, we'll show you how! Welcome to another Rookie Reply! Ashley and Tony are back with three new questions from the BiggerPockets Forums. First, we hear from someone who wants to use their remodeling skills to grow their real estate portfolio. What's the best investing strategy for them? Could they bring “sweat equity” to a real estate partnership? Next, a self-managing landlord is struggling to keep up with emails, notices, and important dates. We share some of the tools and systems WE use to organize our projects and stay on top of key deadlines—without adding more to our plates! Finally, we hear from a rookie who's having some serious buyer's remorse due to plumbing, electrical, and HVAC issues they discovered after closing. Who's at fault in this situation? The inspector? The seller? Stay tuned as we crack the case! Looking to invest? Need answers? Ask your question here! In This Episode We Cover Building your rental portfolio (faster!) with real estate-related skills How to use “sweat equity” to land your next real estate deal The best tools, systems, and strategies for self-managing your rentals What to do when you're having buyer's remorse about a rental property When to get a real estate attorney involved in buyer-seller disputes And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-691 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if your next tenant wasn't a short-term guest or a Section 8 renter but the U.S. government? You're about to hear about a real estate business that makes not hundreds or thousands, but millions in predictable rental income, and the best part is that it doesn't require huge startup costs or a large portfolio! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! When Noble Crawford took time off work for a family medical emergency, he never expected to return and become the scapegoat for the company's bad sales numbers. In that moment, he realized he would never have control over his time, peace, or finances while working for someone else. So, he swiftly quit his W-2 job and pivoted to something that could give him what he was looking for: real estate investing. Fast forward to today, and Noble's making millions with an investing strategy that most rookies have never even heard of. His very first contract was worth $65,000 a month—life-changing money for any rookie. His latest deal? A five-year contract worth $44 million, with roughly $17 million in pure cash flow. Where does he find these deals, and how can you copy his model? Stick around and he'll show you! In This Episode We Cover How to secure “predictable” rental income through government contracting Making $44 million in five years from a single government contract How to find, negotiate, and land government contracts (start to finish) Why Noble pivoted from short-term rentals to government housing How to fully furnish your “arbitrage” units without incurring extra expenses And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-690 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feel like you're still years away from investing in real estate? Maybe you've got shaky finances, or you think you need more education. Today's guest was practically broke and sleeping in his truck while buying a seven-bedroom rental property with minimal money down! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Isaac Mann was done paying rent. He wanted to start building equity in a home, but with little money to his name, inconsistent income, and no real place to live, he knew he would need to get creative. And that's exactly what he did, forming an investing partnership with two friends in order to qualify for a loan. Along the way, the deal was nearly derailed by lenders falling through and rigorous FHA inspections, but the trio pivoted and finally moved into the property, renting out rooms to friends to help minimize their share of the mortgage payment. How did they get the deal done? How much money is Isaac saving per month? And can you repeat the same strategy if you're starting from zero? In This Episode We Cover How Isaac bought a seven-bedroom rental property (while sleeping in his truck) Lowering your cost of living with the rent-by-the-room strategy What to do when your lender falls through (and you're under contract to buy!) The benefits and drawbacks of getting an FHA loan for your property The ins and outs of forming real estate investing partnerships And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-689 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is 2026 quietly shaping up to be a great time to buy a rental property? Following a sluggish year for home sales, the housing market could become “unstuck” in 2026, giving you a clear window to buy—IF you adjust your investing strategy accordingly! Welcome to another Rookie Reply! Today's first question comes straight from the BiggerPockets Forums, and it's all about closing day. What do you need to know once you get a property under contract? Ashley and Tony give their best property-saving tips, like why you should never skip an inspection, always have reserves, and more. 2025 was a down year for the housing market, but with mortgage rates easing slightly and prices dropping in many markets, now might be a better time to buy. We break down what's happening in different areas of the country and how to fine-tune your strategy! Whether you're flipping houses or renovating rentals, wholesalers and real estate agents don't always give you the most accurate after-repair value (ARV) estimate, which can quickly throw your numbers off when analyzing rental properties. We'll show you how to find good comps, calculate ARV, and be more confident in your numbers! Looking to invest? Need answers? Ask your question here! In This Episode We Cover How most rookies should be adjusting their investing strategy in 2026 How to find better real estate deals in your local market What to do before, during, and after closing on a rental property After-repair value (ARV) explained, and how to estimate it How to find (accurate) real estate comps for your investment property And So Much More! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many rookies are freaked out by the thought of tackling rental renovations and things going south. But what if there were ways to lower your risk, save money, and almost guarantee success? Today's guest graduated from “chaotic” rehabs to better, cheaper, faster house flips—all because she implemented the tools and tips you're about to learn! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Today, Serena Norris is a master house flipper, having completed over 130 projects and $55 million in volume. But she didn't get there overnight. In this episode, she winds the clock back to the beginning of her real estate investing journey, when every project came with headaches, delays, and surprise costs. When she'd finally had enough, Serena adopted tools and templates that now keep her projects organized, on track, and within budget. What are the first systems every real estate business needs? What's the best project management software? Should you hire a general contractor for your renovations? How do you create an accurate scope of work? Stay tuned as Serena answers all of these questions and more! In This Episode We Cover Crucial tools and templates Serena uses in her own real estate business Traveling the world while flipping houses by having the right systems in place Hiring a general contractor versus self-managing your home renovations How to (accurately) estimate rehab costs and create your project budget Two “non-negotiables” for all rookies before taking on rehab projects And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-687 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Think building a portfolio or “retiring” with real estate is too far out of reach? Just eight years ago, today's guest was graduating from college and starting a full-time job. Now, he makes six-figure cash flow and has ditched his W-2 job before the age of 30—all thanks to an investing strategy that allows you to build wealth without tenants or toilets: self-storage. Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! At just 23 years old, Steven May did what so many rookies are afraid to do: He bought a house, rented out the rooms, and used his cash flow to help buy the next one. But then, he discovered self-storage investing and everything changed. His first facility was the kind of deal most investors only dream of—one he purchased for roughly the same price as a single-family home that cash flows over $3,500 a month! But pivoting from residential to commercial real estate wasn't easy. Steven had to learn a new asset class, where to find deals, and how to get enough capital to scale his real estate portfolio. But in this episode, he'll show you each step he took to go from buying simple, single-family house hacks to multimillion-dollar self-storage facilities! In This Episode We Cover Buying seven self-storage facilities in just five years (before turning 30!) Why Steven pivoted from residential real estate to self-storage investing Steven's “playbook” for buying your first self-storage facility in 2026 The best ways to fund self-storage deals (and “recycle” your money) How to increase self-storage revenue with simple, operational improvements Scaling your self-storage portfolio fast through investing partnerships And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-686 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Want to finally buy a rental property in 2026? You've listened to the podcast. You've read the books. But what's the best way to actually start? Today, we're pulling back the curtain and sharing a beginner-friendly strategy that gives you a bit of everything—cash flow, appreciation, loan paydown, AND tax benefits! Welcome to another Rookie Reply! We're back with more questions from the BiggerPockets Forums. First, we'll hear from someone who knows plenty about real estate investing but needs a clearer roadmap for getting started and scaling their real estate portfolio. Ashley and Tony share a rookie-friendly investing strategy that will help them not only buy their first deal but also get a head start on building serious wealth! Another rookie has saved a large amount of money and is considering buying their first property in cash. But should they? We weigh the pros and cons of paying cash versus getting a mortgage. Then, we discuss the opportunities and risks of investing in D-class neighborhoods, as well as a few things all rookies should know before evicting tenants. Looking to invest? Need answers? Ask your question here! In This Episode We Cover The beginner-friendly strategy that gives you cash flow, appreciation, and more Paying in cash for an investment property versus getting a mortgage Finding affordable areas to invest when you're priced out of your own market The biggest opportunities and risks of investing in “rough” neighborhoods What every rookie should know before evicting troublesome tenants And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-685 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Still stuck on step one in your investing journey? There are countless success stories from investors who started five, 10, or 20 years ago. But getting started in 2026 is a different ballgame. Not to worry—we're sharing exactly how we'd approach real estate investing if we were starting over today! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Today, Ashley and Tony own dozens of rentals, but not long ago, they were rookies, too. If they had to go back and build their real estate portfolios from scratch, knowing what they know now, what would they do differently? We're breaking it all down on today's episode! Whether you dream of retiring early with real estate or simply owning a rental property or two, this episode is full of helpful tips, tricks, and traps WE wish we knew when starting out. You'll learn all about setting real estate investing goals, building your buy box, and lining up your financing. We also share why waiting for the home-run deal is actually a trap, while buying the “boring” deals will eventually make you rich! In This Episode We Cover Five things we'd do differently if we were starting over in real estate today Picking the “boring” deal versus waiting for the “home-run” rental The crucial questions YOU must answer before investing in real estate Financial “levers” you can pull to help fund your first real estate deal How to create your buy box and niche down to specific neighborhoods And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-684 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Think you need a trust fund, seed money, or a rich uncle to invest in real estate? You don't! With just 10 years of simple, “boring” investing, rental properties could completely alter your life's trajectory. Today's guest started from zero but now owns a small real estate portfolio that brings in over $2,500 in monthly cash flow! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Kadeem Kamal didn't come from money—quite the opposite. But after discovering he could buy a house that doubled as a rental property, after years of paying rent, he grabbed the opportunity with both hands. Since buying that first property back in 2018, Kadeem has bought two more rental properties, built his own home, and never paid his mortgage out of pocket! Like many rookies, Kadeem knew very little about real estate investing when he got started. But by taking action and learning on the fly, he's been able to secure his family's financial future. In less than a decade, Kadeem has built up over $800,000 in equity. Stay tuned to learn how YOU can copy his success! In This Episode We Cover How Kadeem makes $2,500 in monthly cash flow with three rental properties A 10-year game plan for achieving financial freedom with “boring” investing Having tenants pay your mortgage with the house hacking strategy The creative strategy Kadeem used to fund the down payment for his first property Section 8 rental income isn't guaranteed? (How to protect yourself!) And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-683 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Should you use your home equity to buy a rental property? Whether it's your primary residence or another investment property, this strategy could help you scale faster. But between a cash-out refinance, a home equity line of credit (HELOC), or a different method entirely, what's the best way to tap into your funds? Welcome to another Rookie Reply! Today, Ashley and Tony are answering more questions from the BiggerPockets Forums, the first of which comes from someone who's looking to redeploy the home equity they've built up in one of their properties. Tune in as we share several creative ways to take down your next deal and grow your real estate portfolio! Another investor is struggling to estimate rents when analyzing rental properties. We share several tools every rookie can use, as well as the method Ashley uses to calculate rents by hand. Finally, if you own short-term rentals, a cleaner might be the most important hire you ever make. Stick around as Tony shares the process he uses to find, vet, and onboard one! Looking to invest? Need answers? Ask your question here! In This Episode We Cover How to buy a rental property (faster) by “recycling” your money The best ways to tap into your home equity and reinvest in real estate How to (accurately) estimate rents for any investment property Why you always need a “pivot” for any real estate investment Finding, vetting, and hiring cleaners for your short-term rentals And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-682 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Want to buy your first rental property in 2026? You've come to the right place! Whether you dream of becoming a “small and mighty” investor or building a large real estate portfolio, buying that first property is often the biggest hurdle. But today, we're going to show you how to do just that, step by step! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Real estate investing might seem daunting, but in this episode, Ashley and Tony break the entire process down into manageable, rookie-friendly steps. We cover everything from setting goals and laying the right financial foundation to making offers and getting properties under contract. Along the way, you'll learn how to choose your investing strategy, pick your market, analyze deals, and build out your very own investing team. Even if you're starting with zero knowledge or experience, it doesn't need to take six months, a year, or longer to buy an investment property. With our rookie-friendly roadmap, you have all of the tips and tools you need to take down that first property in 90 days or less! In This Episode We Cover How to buy your first (or next) rental property in 2026 (step by step) Why you need to lay the proper foundation before investing in real estate Picking the right real estate market and building out your investing team How to analyze rental properties like a pro with Tony's seven-day challenge How to make an offer, negotiate, and get your next deal under contract What to do once you've officially closed on your first investment property And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-681 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The what-ifs of real estate investing keep many rookies on the sidelines indefinitely. But when today's guest determined his “safe” nine-to-five was just as uncertain as buying a rental property, he took the plunge. Now, having bought four small multifamily properties in just two years while keeping his W2 job, he's fast-tracking financial freedom! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Like many rookies, Derek Brickley dreamed of owning a sizable rental portfolio, but taking that first step was his biggest hurdle. He could have allowed his blind spots to keep him trapped in analysis paralysis, but instead, he leaned into his investing network and drummed up the courage to buy his first house hack. It wasn't a home-run deal, but it changed everything, teaching him how to make offers on properties, plan renovations, and manage tenants. Now, Derek has the tools to scale his real estate portfolio and an investing strategy that has set him on a clear path to financial freedom. Rather than using real estate to supplement his day job, his W2 income now supplements his investments. Stay tuned as he shares his highly “repeatable” process! In This Episode We Cover How Derek bought four small multifamily properties in just two years Building your rental portfolio faster by keeping (not quitting!) your W2 job Leveraging your investing network to bridge the knowledge “gap” Having tenants pay for your living expenses with the house hacking strategy How to do your due diligence before inheriting tenants with a rental property Critical mistakes to avoid when tackling do-it-yourself (DIY) renovations And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-680 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stuck at one rental property? Maybe you spent years saving for that first down payment, and now, your funds are depleted. Where do you go from here? Not to worry—we'll show you how to get past this common rookie roadblock and buy your second, third, and fourth deals! Welcome to another Rookie Reply! Ashley and Tony are back with more questions from the BiggerPockets Forums, the first of which is about scaling when you're out of cash. Some rookie investors throw their entire savings at that first investment property, so do you really have to start over to buy the next one? Maybe you don't! We share a few strategies that will help you grow your real estate portfolio faster. Insurance premiums have risen in many markets, but what do you do when they actually kill your deal, wiping out any potential cash flow? Abandon the deal entirely? Go back and negotiate with the seller? We also hear from an investor who wants to build an Airbnb business and take advantage of the short-term rental tax loophole, but is struggling to pick a market. We'll help them narrow down their options! Looking to invest? Need answers? Ask your question here! In This Episode We Cover How to scale your real estate portfolio when working with limited funds Using creative financing to buy rental properties with less money down How to reduce your taxable income with the short-term rental loophole What to do when insurance costs blow up your real estate deal How to find and choose the best short-term rental markets for 2026 And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-679 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you're like most rookies, you probably won't buy a rental property in 2026. After all, there are too many things working against you: high mortgage rates, fewer deals, and concerns about the housing market. Plus, you're just not “ready” yet, right? Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Today, we're breaking down the three biggest reasons why most rookies won't invest in real estate this year. These hurdles have one thing in common: fear. It might be that you lack the confidence to make an offer, or perhaps you're waiting for the “perfect” deal to fall into your lap. Maybe you're convinced you need more education, when really, you've got a bad case of analysis paralysis. Whatever the reason, it's time to stop merely dreaming about building wealth with real estate and start executing. In this episode, we'll show you the huge opportunity cost of sitting on the sidelines, how getting creative can make the numbers work, and why it's okay to submit a “lowball” offer. Stick around for a simple rookie challenge that will help you make serious progress in your investing journey this year! In This Episode We Cover The three reasons why most rookies won't buy a rental property in 2026 Common fears that could stop you from taking down your first real estate deal Why your nine-to-five job isn't actually any “safer” than real estate investing Why waiting for the “perfect” deal could cause you to miss out on great deals The 2026 challenge that will help you break free from analysis paralysis And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-678 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Think you're too busy to own rental properties? Real estate investing doesn't have to dominate your time or energy. Today's guest is living proof, having built a three-property rental portfolio in just two years—all while juggling a 50-hour workweek! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! When Rashad George sold his primary residence for a $100,000 payday, he realized that real estate was the missing piece in his quest for financial freedom. Despite being swamped at his eight-to-six job, he found ways to start small, buying a new build investment property that required very little upkeep. Then, he graduated to more difficult projects needing cosmetic rehabs and eventually, full-gut renovations. Now, Rashad has settled into Section 8 investing, which delivers consistent monthly cash flow while he continues to advance in his career. In this episode, he busts some of the myths surrounding this investing strategy, shares how he structured his first real estate partnership, and shines a light on the tax loophole he uses to offset his active income! In This Episode We Cover How Rashad built a 3-property portfolio in two years (while working eight-to-six) How to get consistent monthly cash flow with Section 8 investing What you need to know before forming your first real estate partnership The short-term rental tax loophole you can use to offset your active income How to find and buy discounted real estate deals at an auction And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-677 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Money. It's the first BIG hurdle every rookie faces when buying a rental property. Can't put 20% down? Maybe you don't need to! Welcome to another Rookie Reply! We're back with three new questions from the BiggerPockets Forums, and first, we hear from someone who's looking to scrounge up the funds for their first real estate investment. If you have the right deal, you could bring very little, and in some cases, no money, to the table. But it'll probably require some legwork! Next, if you're looking for off-market properties, you'll want a reliable wholesaler who can deliver a steady stream of quality deals. Stay tuned as we show you how to not only find them but also become part of their inner circle. We also tackle a question many rookies have: Should you line up your financing before or after you've found a deal? One approach gives you a clear edge when it comes to narrowing your buy box, making offers, and negotiating with sellers! Looking to invest? Need answers? Ask your question here! In This Episode We Cover Ways to buy an investment property with little or no money down Creative financing strategies YOU could be using to fund deals in 2026 How to find reliable wholesalers who can provide consistent deal flow Why lining up financing early gives you a serious edge when making offers How to build trust with potential partners, lenders, and wholesalers And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-676 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ashley just did her worst real estate deal. Ever. We always talk about the good real estate deals, but what about the bad deals? The rental properties with the nightmare rehabs or the messy evictions? The truth is that the lessons learned from these blunders often propel us toward bigger and better deals. Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Today, we're going over one of Ashley's recent deals, where she lost over $25,000. But it could have been even worse. As you're about to hear, she bit off a little more than she could chew, tackling a new investing strategy with a much more difficult renovation than she signed up for. Ashley shares what went wrong while analyzing the property, the huge mistake she made during the due diligence phase, and how a little indecision snowballed into thousands in holding costs. But most importantly, you'll learn what Ashley's taking away from this painful experience so that her next deal is much better for it! In This Episode We Cover Breaking down Ashley's worst real estate deal ever (and a $25,000 loss!) The critical mistake Ashley made during the due diligence phase Why time is of the essence when taking on a large rehab project Why you should always “test” new strategies, markets, and partnerships The real estate tax benefits that can help offset a “bad” deal on paper And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-675 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tired of working a nine-to-five job that dominates your time and energy? You could be closer to financial freedom than you think, even if you're like today's guest—living alone, working multiple jobs, and hustling to make ends meet. In just four years, she built a rental portfolio that now cash flows $4,000 a month! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Recently separated, virtually broke, and living in a tiny apartment, Allana Lippman had a “crazy” thought while writing the monthly rent check to her landlord: Maybe—just maybe—she could build wealth with real estate, too. But rather than spending months (or years) educating herself about real estate investing, she dove right in. And good thing she did, because the first deal that fell in her lap was a “secret” duplex, listed as a single-family home, that quite literally changed her life. It not only gave her a place to live but also another unit and a tenant paying down her mortgage! Allana has already scaled her real estate portfolio to 10 properties, but now, she's reevaluating her investing strategy. Stick around to hear why she's shifting her focus toward a smaller portfolio that will allow her to truly “own her time,” work less, and travel more! In This Episode We Cover How Allana scaled her rental portfolio to 10 properties in just four years Making $4,000 in monthly cash flow with 15 rental units How Allana found a “secret” duplex disguised as a single-family home The mixed-use building that has become Allana's “cash cow” Juggling real estate investing and TWO jobs (without burning out) Diversifying your real estate portfolio with multiple investing strategies How to achieve financial freedom with a “small and mighty” portfolio And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-674 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mortgage rates have dropped recently, which is great news for rookies looking to buy a rental property. But is NOW the right time for a cash-out refinance? On one hand, tapping into the equity you've built up in your property could help you take down bigger and better investing opportunities, but on the other hand, a completely paid-off property might help you sleep better at night. We're weighing all of your options in today's episode! Welcome to another Rookie Reply! Ashley and Tony are diving back into the BiggerPockets Forums, and today's first question comes from an investor who's working through a significant rental property repair. The tenant is making special requests, but should the landlord accommodate them? Next, we hear from someone who's considering a cash-out refinance for one of their properties. Is it worth deploying their money elsewhere, or is paid-off real estate the faster path to financial freedom? Finally, does commercial real estate offer better cash flow than single-family homes? The answer is a little more nuanced than you might think! Looking to invest? Need answers? Ask your question here! In This Episode We Cover When to do a cash-out refinance with your investment property Paying off properties versus “recycling” home equity to scale faster How to accommodate tenants while making rental property repairs The pros and cons of commercial and residential real estate investing The best ways to find cash-flowing commercial real estate deals And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-673 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you want to own not one rental property, or two, but an entire real estate portfolio that gives you financial freedom? Then, you're going to need help as you grow. Thankfully, there are many tools and systems that can make running your rentals much easier. With the right resources, today's guest built a very profitable real estate business in just TWO years! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Jamie Banks has already quit her job and replaced her entire salary with the cash flow from her rental properties. But she's not done yet. Now, one of Jamie's goals is to work as little as possible, and she's chipping away at it by leveraging artificial intelligence (AI), automating mundane processes, and creating standard operating procedures (SOPs) her team can follow. Whether you're stabilizing a single property or looking to scale your portfolio, this episode is jam-packed with systems, tools, and tips you need to reach your real estate investing goals much faster. Jamie shares the biggest pain points for new investors, the quickest way to create procedures from scratch, and the software she can't live without! In This Episode We Cover The systems Jamie used to build her real estate business in two years The best tools and software for scaling your real estate portfolio faster How to craft standard operating procedures (SOPs) from scratch Leveraging automation and artificial intelligence (AI) within your business The biggest pain points new investors have early on in their investing journey And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-672 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fear you'll never be able to invest in real estate because of money, credit, or bad timing? This single mom lost her house and had a 200 credit score, yet she was still able to rebuild her life and buy rental properties. If she can find a way to build wealth, so can YOU! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Just months before the 2008 housing market crash, Sarah Weatherbee found herself unable to make her mortgage payments. So, she rented out her home, moved to Nicaragua, and lived off the rental income until the dust settled. Unfortunately, shortly after returning to the U.S., she lost her home. The silver lining? Although things hadn't panned out, Sarah had been given a small taste of what it's like to own a rental property—with someone paying down your mortgage for you—and was determined to own real estate again one day. And that's exactly what she did by buckling down, rebuilding her credit, and stashing away money for her next property. Fast forward to today, and Sarah has bought multiple properties with low money down. Stay tuned as she shares the investing strategy she uses to do it! In This Episode We Cover How Sarah rebuilt her credit and bought real estate again after losing her home Making over $130,000 in pure profit from ONE real estate deal The investing strategy that allows you to buy multiple properties with low money down When to move to another area of the country to invest in real estate The one reason why Sarah didn't quit real estate investing after failure And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-671 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Buying a rental property in another city, county, or state? Then, you're going to need boots on the ground in that market to help find, fix, and manage your investment property. How do you make sure you've got the right people in place from many miles away? We've got the tips you need in today's episode! Welcome to another Rookie Reply! Tony and Ashley are back with three more questions from the BiggerPockets Forums, the first of which comes from an investor who's struggling to find meaningful cash flow in their market. Should they hold out for that “home-run deal” or settle for something less if it means getting that first property under their belt? Next, we'll hear from someone who has enough money to buy a primary home or an investment property. We'll weigh both options and even share an investing strategy that allows you to have both! Finally, if you're investing out of state, you'll need a team of trusted experts in that market. But finding these people is easier said than done. Stick around as we share where to look, questions to ask, and some red flags to avoid at all costs! Looking to invest? Need answers? Ask your question here! In This Episode We Cover How to build your own out-of-state investing team in any market (step by step) Red flags to avoid when vetting agents, lenders, contractors, and more Whether you should buy an investment property before your primary residence How to buy a rental property with low money down using the house hacking strategy The “minimum” cash flow you should accept when analyzing rental properties And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-669 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can't break into real estate investing? Maybe you don't have enough money to buy a rental property or the track record of a confident investor. Thankfully, there's a way to make money in real estate without owning rentals, and it could even help fund your first property. Today's expert makes $20,000 in monthly cash flow with this strategy—Airbnb co-hosting! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Today, we're joined by one of BiggerPockets' resident short-term rental experts, Garrett Brown. Garrett has owned everything from normal long-term rentals to unique stays in hot vacation markets, but one of his favorite “investing” strategies doesn't even require you to own rental properties. The best part? With some research, people skills, and passion for hospitality, any rookie can build a profitable co-hosting business from scratch in just a few months! Garrett shows you exactly how to do just that in today's episode, step by step. You'll learn where to find clients, what to charge for your services, and how to make your fledgling business stand out in 2026. Garrett even shares his go-to tools and software that make co-hosting a breeze! In This Episode We Cover How to build a profitable Airbnb co-hosting business (step by step!) How Garrett scaled to $20,000 in monthly cash flow with this strategy Two proven strategies to find (and land) your very first co-hosting client The number one way to make your co-hosting business stand out in 2026 Must-have AI tools and software that make it easier to run your Airbnb business And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-669 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feel trapped at a nine-to-five job that promises “success” but robs you of all joy, peace, and freedom? Today's guest was in the same boat, but when everything came to a head, she traded it all for a new life that would allow her to pursue actual financial freedom—with rental properties! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Casey Nguyen had (almost) everything. She and her husband were making seven figures and owned a beautiful home in the Bay Area, but they were working around the clock—and they were miserable. So, when they had reached their breaking point, they did what most wouldn't: they moved to a lower cost-of-living area and started investing in real estate. Casey has since built and scaled her real estate portfolio to seven properties across Texas, North Carolina, Ohio, and their new home state of Kentucky, where they have recently launched an Airbnb that will bring in over $50,000 this year. With each day, Casey is one step closer to her ultimate goal: more time with her family, the flexibility to travel the world, and more than enough money to fuel it. In This Episode We Cover How Casey scaled to seven rental properties in just three years The cross-country move that helped this couple fast-track their investments Trading extreme job burnout for more time, flexibility, and financial freedom A lucrative side hustle that could help fund your rental portfolio How Casey netted $460,000 (tax-free) by selling her primary home The Red River Gorge condo that will bring in over $50,000 this year And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-668 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We've got THE “secret” to getting more cash flow from your rental property. Ready? Put more money down! It's an obvious solution, but is putting 30%, 40%, or more really the best use of your cash? In this episode, we'll get into all of the different things you should consider before putting more money down on your next investment property! Welcome to another Rookie Reply! Ashley and Tony are back with three new questions from the BiggerPockets Forums. First, we'll tackle a question many rookies have, especially when looking for off-market deals: Do you need a Realtor? Another investor claims the only way to find cash flow in their current market is by making a bigger down payment and self-managing the property. The problem? This gives them a much lower cash-on-cash return. Stay tuned as we share some other options they're probably not thinking about! Next, what do you do when a borrower ghosts you? Whether you're lending private money or seller financing, it's crucial to handle this type of situation properly (and legally). We'll show you how! Looking to invest? Need answers? Ask your question here! In This Episode We Cover Cash flow versus cash-on-cash return (and which one is more important) How to increase your cash flow without putting more money down Whether you need a real estate agent when buying an investment property When to self-manage your rental property (or hire a property manager!) What to do when a borrower stops paying you back (private money or seller financing) And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-667 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices