Real Estate Rookie

by BiggerPockets
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 Tony J Robinson 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 Monday, Wednesday and Friday, w...
Episodes

"Sweet Spot" Rentals Every Rookie Should Buy
There's a rental property out there with your name on it—the “sweet spot” property every rookie investor wants. It's the kind of deal that can give you cash flow, appreciation, and tax benefits and become the launching pad for your entire portfolio. In this episode, we’ll show you what these properties are and where to find them! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Today, we’re breaking down why buying a small multifamily property is often the easiest and lowest-risk way for a rookie to get started. We’ll walk you through the "stack” method that could help you scale from zero to nine units in just a few years, and we’ll even compare real numbers from a duplex and a single-family home on the same street. But that’s not all. Stick around until the end, as we reveal some of the markets where these deals are penciling out right now. If you’ve been looking for a beginner-friendly way to start building wealth with real estate, this episode is the playbook you need! In This Episode We Cover Why small multifamily is often the best way to get started in real estate A side-by-side comparison of small multifamily and single-family rentals (with numbers!) How to self-manage tenants (or guests) without it taking over your life The "stack” method that could help you scale from zero to nine units in three years How to research and pick a small multifamily market (as a complete beginner) And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-753. 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

Four Properties on a Teacher’s Salary by Buying Small, Affordable Homes
You know what's best for you—that's the advice today's guest offers, and it's the exact mindset that took him from house hacking on a teacher's salary in his mid-20s to quitting his job with a four-property portfolio at 30. If you're still stuck answering to someone else, today's guest will show you that you don't have to! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Jake Handler took a bet on himself, from buying his first property on a teacher's salary to building a four-property portfolio and walking away from the career he once expected to keep for life. Jake breaks down how he house hacked his way into real estate after a lender told him no, how he negotiated a seller-financed deal that soon housed his in-laws down the road, and how to score someone else's 2.75% interest rate! If you have a stable career and every reason to stay comfortable, Jake's story is proof that the biggest risk might actually be staying where you are! In This Episode We Cover The advice Jake did NOT take from a lender that led to him buying four properties Jake’s strategy to landing his first deal on a teacher’s salary Why Jake left teaching to go all-in on a real estate-first career Negotiating a stellar seller-financed deal with one big caveat and bad tenants Managing inherited tenants as a new landlord and getting the bad ones to (peacefully) leave And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-752. 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

4 Rookie-Friendly Ways to Find Great Real Estate Deals in 2026 (Rookie Reply)
Struggling to find your first (or next) real estate deal? What if we told you there are simple, rookie-friendly strategies that even seasoned investors overlook? Today, we’ll share some of them with you so you can take down a great deal in 2026! Welcome back to another Rookie Reply! Today's questions come straight from the BiggerPockets Forums, and they're all about getting out of the research phase without rushing into a bad first deal. Is it worth paying for a course, or is self-study enough? Where do you find rental properties for sale when Zillow feels picked over? And how do you choose one investing strategy when there are SO many options? We're sharing how we learn best, Ashley's exact Zillow strategy for finding motivated sellers, and how to identify the best starting point for your rental portfolio. If you’re stuck at square one or trying to make the numbers work in 2026, we’ve got answers! Looking to invest? Need answers? Ask your question here! In This Episode We Cover Four ways to find great real estate deals in 2026 (even as a complete beginner) What most rookies miss when looking for on-market real estate deals Whether it’s worth paying for real estate coaching, courses, or masterminds Ashley's favorite Zillow strategy for finding motivated sellers How to choose the right investing strategy for your lifestyle and long-term goals And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-751. 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 to Replace a $65,000 Salary with Rental Property Cash Flow (Step by Step)
If you’re trading your time for a paycheck and depending on someone else for financial "security," real estate investing could be your way out, and the path to true financial freedom might be closer than you think. In this episode, we're showing you exactly how to replace your W-2 salary with rental cash flow in a decade or less! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Today, we’re giving you a proven formula for replacing your salary with rental properties. We’ll break down actual examples you could use to achieve this goal, whether you’re going the house hacking route or buying traditional investment properties. Along the way, we’ll show you how to pick the right market, choose the right investing strategy for your long-term goals, and maximize your per-property cash flow. By the end of this conversation, you’ll know how to run your own numbers, finance your first deal, and use tax strategies that stretch your cash flow even further. But most importantly, you’ll have a clear roadmap to walk away from your nine-to-five job! In This Episode We Cover How Ashley and Tony used real estate to step away from their own W-2 jobs How many rental properties it takes to replace the average salary How to pick a market for cash flow, appreciation, or a mix of both Choosing an investing strategy that aligns with your long-term goals The numbers on a house hack versus a traditional investment property Creative ways to maximize your cash flow per rental property And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-750. 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

One Rental Property Saved Me From My 100-Hour Workweeks
Picture this: working two jobs, sleeping during your breaks, and still showing up every single day because you've already decided what your life looks like on the other side! That's exactly how today's guest turned a two-year grind into his very first real estate deal—and if he could unlock his dream life with just one property, you can too! Welcome back to Real Estate Rookie! Today we're joined by Elijah Ray, who spent two years working 100 hours per week between two jobs, with one goal in mind: to live his dream life. Elijah sat down every week to look at his goals and work backward from them, until he had enough saved to buy his first property at just 26 years old! In this episode, Elijah shares how house hacking one property gave him the freedom to finally quit his job, how he funded his first rental unit, and how his first (and only) property unlocked the life he’s always dreamed of! If you're grinding through a job you're trying to escape and telling yourself it's not possible yet, this episode is proof it just takes one clear goal and one deal to change everything. Hit play to hear exactly how he did it! In This Episode We Cover How Elijah set his goals and bought his first home (even after a two-year struggle!) Managing evictions as a rookie landlord and the lessons that came with it Screening red flags Elijah wishes he'd caught on his first rental property Why less rentals meant more freedom (you don’t need a dozen units!) How to fund a renovation with credit cards, and whether it’s worth it The 1% down payment loan that speeds up your buying timeline And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-749. 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

Cash Flow vs. Appreciation: What Should Beginners Focus on? (Rookie Reply)
You’ve read the books. You’ve listened to the podcasts. But you still don’t feel “ready” to invest in real estate. You’re not alone! This is one of the most common rookie struggles, and today, we’re showing you how to break free from analysis paralysis and finally get in the game! Welcome to another Rookie Reply! We’re back with three questions from the BiggerPockets Forums that, together, map the whole path from inaction to actually closing on your first deal. An experienced property manager wants to buy their own rental property but doesn’t know where to start, while another investor needs help analyzing a real estate market for their first house hack. Plus, we're settling one of the oldest debates in real estate: appreciation or cash flow? If you've been circling your first deal for months (or years) or looking to train up on analyzing rental properties, this episode is the push you've been waiting for. Hit play and let's get you off the sidelines! Looking to invest? Need answers? Ask your question here! In This Episode We Cover The two biggest hurdles you need to clear before buying a rental property How to know if you're actually ready to invest in real estate Whether you should prioritize cash flow or appreciation on your first deal Why real estate investing “edge” that property management experience gives you How to pick the right real estate market for you to invest in And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-748. 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

Making $3,000/Month Cash Flow (Per Property) with This Scalable Rental Strategy
One of the biggest mistakes new investors make is analyzing rental properties for the best-case scenario. Today’s guest does the opposite. He plans for the worst, and it’s the reason his deals consistently outperform others. In this episode, he’s sharing his secret for getting maximum cash flow with the least work possible! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Luke Frizzell went from owning a primary residence that was draining his bank account, to converting his garage into an ADU and getting a 25% cash-on-cash return. But then, he did an “about face” and pivoted into residential assisted living, where he generates $3,000 in monthly cash flow, per property, without ever dealing with operations! Tune in to learn how Luke uses the military “SMEAC” framework to turn every deal into a planned mission, why the best next investment might be the property you already own, and how the lease-to-operator model makes assisted living one of the most “hands-free” cash flow strategies available today. If you've been chasing unit count and wondering why the effort never matches the returns, Luke's story is your permission to think differently. In This Episode We Cover How to make more cash flow with the residential assisted living strategy How to create extra income streams on the property you already own How Luke generated a 25% cash-on-cash return with his first ADU The SMEAC framework—what it is and how to apply it to real estate How to make your investment more “hands-free” with the lease-to-operator model Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-747. 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

She Bought the Property No One Wanted. It Had a Hidden Income Stream ($3K+/Month).
People think you need a dozen rental properties to achieve financial freedom. You don’t. Buy the right property in the right location, and it may only take one. Just ask Hana and Easton Jones, whose tiny back unit pays their entire mortgage and then some—allowing Hana to quit her W-2 job and live out her dream of being a stay-at-home mom! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Hana and Easton were a couple of 25-year-olds with regular jobs. How could they possibly afford real estate around Los Angeles? Driven by the dream of homeownership, they sacrificed, they saved, and when the time came, they bought the house no one wanted. It wasn’t perfect. It needed work. But it also had its own hidden income stream—a small ADU (accessory dwelling unit) that now covers their $3,300 mortgage each month! In this episode, they break down their exact savings strategy, what it looks like to house hack an Airbnb, and how Hana was able to buy back time with her kids. Whether you live in an expensive city or want a way out from your nine-to-five, this story delivers the inspiration you need to take the next step in your real estate journey! In This Episode We Cover: The ADU (accessory dwelling unit) that makes $3,000-$5,000+ per month How to save aggressively for a down payment (even on a normal salary) Why Hana and Easton chose to put more money down on their house hack The “overlooked” property that allowed Hana to step away from her W-2 job How this frugal couple got creative on a $30,000 renovation budget And So Much More! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Housing Market Is Shifting. Here’s What Rookies Should Do. (Rookie Reply)
The housing market looks very different than it did just a year or two ago. Home prices are softening, rates have eased slightly from the highs of 2023 and 2024, and sellers are more willing to negotiate than they've been in years. But rookie investors still want to know: Is 2026 actually the right time to buy? Welcome back to another Rookie Reply! Today we’re answering three pressing questions from the BiggerPockets Forums. You just got your first rental property under contract–what’s the next step? Is out-of-state investing the answer to areas that don’t cash flow, and if so, how do you manage a property from afar? But perhaps most importantly, does it even make sense to invest in real estate in 2026? Ashley and Tony break down the 2026 market, the contract-to-closing checklist every rookie investor needs, and the exact steps Tony took to build an investing team over 1,000 miles away! Looking to invest? Need answers? Ask your question here! In This Episode We Cover Whether it still makes sense invest in real estate in 2026 The one data point that tells you whether a real estate deal is worth it The full contract-to-closing checklist you need to get your keys on time What to do when you can’t find cash flow in your own market How to build your team (from scratch) when investing out-of-state And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-745. 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

Long-Term Rentals vs. Short-Term Rentals: Which Is Best for Beginners?
When buying your first rental property, everyone gives you the same advice: play it safe, get a long-term tenant, and collect the rent. But that same house, run as an Airbnb, can often make two or three times the cash flow. So which investing strategy should you actually use for your first deal? Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Today, we’re settling this debate once and for all: short-term rentals or long-term rentals? We both grabbed a real, middle-of-the-road property from our own portfolios, put them head to head, and broke down the three things that actually matter for rookie investors: the money, the workload, and the risk. Ashley’s long-term rental might have the edge when it comes to ease of management, but Tony's short-term rental tax loophole gives certain investors a way to (legally) slash their tax bills by thousands. There is no one-size-fits-all answer here. But by the end of this episode, you'll know exactly which strategy fits your investing goals! In This Episode We Cover Real properties with real numbers from Tony and Ashley's portfolios Why measuring your cash-on-cash return is crucial when comparing these strategies How much time it actually takes to manage a long-term or short-term rental The biggest risks to consider before committing to either strategy How to potentially slash your tax bill by thousands with the short-term rental loophole And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-744. 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

She Built a 3-Property Portfolio in 5 Years While Working Her 9-5
Your first rental property rarely comes from sitting back and waiting. It usually comes when you put yourself out there, talk to others about what you're building, and stay in the game long enough for the right moment to show up. That’s exactly what today’s guest did, and it led to a wild deal that kickstarted her real estate portfolio! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Stephanie Wagner spent nearly 20 years in a full-time job, putting her real estate dreams on hold through a marriage that wasn't working. Then, she used her divorce as the starting line. Six months later, she closed on her first real estate deal, a duplex she was able to house hack. Today, she owns five rental units and even has her real estate licence! Stephanie shares about the everyday moment that led to buying an off-market deal, the second deal that involved a tricky tenant situation, and the mindset shift that separates the investors who start from the ones who never do. If you've been holding out for the “perfect” moment to invest in real estate, Stephanie's story is proof that you just need to take action! In This Episode We Cover How Stephanie bought three rental properties while working nine-to-five The pivotal moment that led to Stephanie’s first property (an off-market duplex!) The benefits of using a real estate agent on an off-market deal Why the quality of your rentals matters more than your number of doors Raising rent on long-term tenants with fixed incomes And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-743. 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 to Find and Fund Your First Real Estate Deal (From Scratch) (Rookie Reply)
You've got very little savings, almost no credit history, and you want to buy a rental property. Most people would tell you to wait, but today, we’re giving you clear, actionable steps you can take toward getting that first property under contract! Welcome back to another Rookie Reply! Today, we’re answering three questions that cover the anatomy of a first deal: where the money comes from, where the deal comes from, and what it will really cost you. First, suppose you have no money or credit. Can you still invest in real estate? Another investor wants to know if wholesalers are worth using, and finally, we’ll hear from an actual wholesaler who’s looking for the best ways to estimate rehab costs so he can deliver deals investors actually want to buy! Tony explains why finding great real estate deals is the number one tool every rookie needs in their toolbelt, and Ashley shares a wholesale real estate strategy that nobody in the industry is using yet!! Looking to invest? Need answers? Ask your question here! In This Episode We Cover How to invest in real estate when you have low money and no credit How to save for your first down payment (fast!) The best investing strategy for buying rentals with low money down The wholesaling strategy explained (and how to buy a wholesale deal) How to estimate rehab costs as a complete beginner And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-742. 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 Exact Investment “Stack” We’re Using to Retire Early (Not Just Rentals)
Don’t want to wait until 65 to retire? With a combination of rental properties and some of the other investments we’re covering on today’s show, you may not have to. Whether you’re starting from zero or diligently building your nest egg, use these eight steps to build a diversified portfolio and reach financial freedom much faster! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Today Ashley and Tony are pulling back the curtain on their actual retirement plans—what they're doing, why they're doing it, and what they wish they'd known sooner. They share how they first got into real estate investing and how they’ve adjusted their portfolios over time. They also break down the investment “order of operations,” a sequence of financial moves that will help you build long-term wealth! Along the way, we’ll get into things like the 401(k) employer match, the triple-tax-advantaged HSA account, and the often-misunderstood 529 college savings plan. Whether you want to gradually step away from your W-2 job or simply have “enough” when you reach traditional retirement age, this episode gives you a clear roadmap for achieving your long-term financial goals! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-740. 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

She Bought Her First Rental Property with $0 Down (Her Exact Playbook)
What if the one thing stopping you from buying your first rental property isn’t money, or connections, but the belief that it’s just not possible for someone like you? Today’s guest is proof that with the right game plan, real estate investing offers a path that can set anyone free, including YOU, from the nine-to-five grind! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Crystal Lloyd didn't have connections, a trust fund, or a head start. What she had was a two-hour daily commute and a willingness to do what most people won't. She volunteered at BPCON to get in, and walked out with the relationships that led to her first deal! And in this episode, she breaks down exactly how she bought it, including the grant “stack” that helped her pay zero out of pocket and the “layered” house hacking strategy most rookies don’t want to try. But that’s not all. Crystal also shares lessons from a bad contractor experience, and the tenant screening process every rookie needs. If you've ever felt like real estate was out of reach, Crystal's about to show you that anyone can start today! In This Episode We Cover The exact moment that sparked Crystal’s real estate investing journey The grant “stack” Crystal used to buy her first deal with $0 out of pocket How Crystal pays just $50 a month to live in the house she owns The tenant pre-screening questionnaire every new investor needs Lessons learned from a bad contractor experience (that you can avoid!) And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-740. 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 to 2X Your Cash Flow (or More) on the Property You Already Own (Rookie Reply)
What if you could take the rental property you already own and make 2-3 times more? Whether you’re in the red, barely breaking even, or wanting more from your rentals, we’re showing you multiple ways to boost your cash flow! Welcome back to another Rookie Reply! Today, we’re answering three questions from the BiggerPockets Forums that cover some of the most searched and most overlooked strategies in real estate investing right now. Is co-living actually realistic, and how do you pivot to the model without losing your mind? Don’t think you have enough for a down payment? The good news is that there are several loans and strategies that require much less than you think. Stick around until the end because we’ve got a couple of strategies most rookies never consider that could make you $10,000 from just one house! Whether you're trying to squeeze more cash flow from a property you already own, get into your first deal with limited savings, or find an investing strategy that most beginners overlook, this episode has something for every stage of the journey! Looking to invest? Need answers? Ask your question here! In This Episode We Cover Four ways to double your rental income (or more) on the property you already own How to pivot from a single-tenant property to a room-by-the-room model How to buy your first rental property without a big bank account The loan that could help you get into real estate with as little as $0 down How the co-living strategy works and why demand is growing Why assisted living and sober living are some of the most overlooked, win-win strategies And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-739. 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

3 Ways to Fund Your First Real Estate Deal Without 20% Down
What’s stopping you from buying your very first rental property? For most rookies, it’s rarely ever the market, the interest rates, or even the competition–it's a number in their head. Today, we’re breaking down that barrier with real rookie use cases that will inspire you to take that next step in your real estate investing journey! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! In this episode, we’re sharing three ways to fund real estate deals that have actually worked for past Rookie guests. None of these creative financing options require 20% down, none of them require a traditional bank, and one of them doesn't involve a lender at all! We dive into how hard money loans work and when they make sense, how to find a seller who'll say yes to seller financing, and the levers you can pull to structure your deal. Ashley also shares her hard money horror story so you don't have to learn those lessons the expensive way! If you've been sitting on the sidelines because you don't think you have enough money to invest, this conversation will give you the knowledge and confidence to get started today! In This Episode We Cover Hard money—what it is, how lenders make money, and when it actually makes sense for a rookie Ashley's hard money horror story and the exact questions you need to ask How to structure a seller financing deal as a complete beginner Real seller financing case studies (from past Rookie guests!) The right (and wrong) reasons to bring in an equity partner on your real estate deal And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-738. 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

He Started Investing in His 40s, Now He’s on Track to Retire with Rentals
Not everyone gets into real estate investing when conditions are perfect. Some, like our next guest, get in because they have no other choice. The path Brent Beard was on just wasn’t cutting it anymore–especially when people were depending on him. If your back’s against the wall and you want to build a better life for your family, rental properties could be the answer! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Brent is a real estate agent in training and investor in the Kansas City area who bought his first duplex in 2025. He did it while working a full-time W-2 job, serving in the National Guard, studying for his real estate licence, and raising his granddaughter. Owning rental properties wasn’t always on Brent’s radar, but last July, he picked up a book that changed his whole philosophy. Despite starting in his 40s, Brent has closed on his first deal and is aiming to retire in 10 years! Brent isn't here with a polished success story, but a real one. He dives into the property tax mistake nobody warned him about that nearly doubled his bill overnight, the buy box he had to abandon to find a deal that actually cash flowed, and the one thing he wishes someone had told him before he closed! If you have a full schedule, real responsibilities, and every reason to keep putting real estate on the back burner, Brent's story is proof that the biggest mistake is simply not starting! In This Episode We Cover What finally pushed Brent to take action on his first real estate deal Juggling a W-2 job, military service, and real estate without dropping the ball The rookie-friendly tools and processes Brent used to analyze his first duplex The property tax mistake that nearly doubled Brent’s bill (and what to check before you close!) The huge investing advantages you get by becoming a real estate agent And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-737. 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

My Property Is Losing Money: Should I Sell or Pivot? (Rookie Reply)
The property you spent months working on is about to lose you money. What should you do? Sell? Pivot? Invest for long enough and you’re bound to run into this scenario at some point. But not to worry—today, we’re showing you exactly what to do when things go south! Welcome to another Rookie Reply! We’re back with three more questions from the BiggerPockets Forums. One investor is about to lose money flipping a house and needs a way out or a reason to stay in. Another is about to form a real estate investing partnership but is missing one critical element that could change the entire deal. And if you’re in the exciting final stages of closing on a rental property, or you're already sitting with the keys, wondering what on earth to do now that you're a landlord, we’ve got the answers! Ashley and Tony have been in all three of these situations, and Tony’s in one of them right now! Looking to invest? Need answers? Ask your question here! In This Episode We Cover When to sell a struggling flip (at a loss) or convert it to a rental property The one thing almost nobody considers before creating a real estate partnership Why a 50/50 equity partnership is actually fairer than it feels when one partner brings all the money The biggest differences between a joint venture and an LLC (limited liability company) Why forming an LLC on your first partnership deal might be a mistake What to tackle in your first 30 days after closing (and what can wait!) And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-736. 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

Making $29,000/Month from One “Boring” Property (1,000 Miles Away)
What if the best real estate investment isn’t the one with tenants, toilets, or employees, but the low-maintenance property everyone else is ignoring? Today’s guest is making thousands each month from one of these properties, and there are many more just like it. She’ll show you exactly how to find them! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Today we're sitting down with Bree Hartman, who went from one “accidental” rental property to building a $6 million self-storage portfolio–all while pregnant, working her W-2 job as a personal trainer, and cold calling self-storage owners on her lunch breaks. She did all of this as a complete newbie to commercial real estate from the other side of the country! Bree breaks down how she finds off-market self-storage facilities using a single tool, the exact cold calling script she uses to get baby boomer owners talking, and how she structured her very first seller financing deal. She even shares the five-point blueprint that shows YOU exactly where to invest. If you've been sleeping on self-storage, our conversation with Bree will wake you up to one of the most underrated assets right now! Looking to invest? Need answers? Ask your question here! In This Episode We Cover How Bree finds off-market self-storage deals hiding in plain sight The exact cold calling script that gets bored retirees to sell (and a live example!) Buying a $3.1 million facility with zero commercial experience The seller financing trick that got an owner to say yes–it's not what you'd expect The five-point blueprint for finding markets where you'll never compete with the big players And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-735. 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 to House Hack Your Way Out of $200K in Student Loan Debt!
At 31, James sat down at a kitchen table with his wife Aida, ran the numbers on the next 30 years, and didn't like what he saw—$200,000 in student loans and a retirement plan neither of them believed in. So they stopped waiting for a change, and built something instead. Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Our guest, James Doren, and wife, Aida, didn't have a trust fund or an obvious path forward. They had a spreadsheet, a private money lender, and an empty space above their garage. This accessory dwelling unit (ADU) solution added 50% value on their equity, wiped out their student loans, and set them on a path that most investors never consider: intentionally shrinking their portfolio from 10 doors to 4. But the deal that surprised them most didn't come from an agent or Zillow. It came from a tenant who knocked on their door with a problem the bank couldn't solve! James breaks down the house hack that started it all, how he convinced a private money lender to fund the build, and the rent-to-own agreement he structured for his tenant that gave both sides exactly what they needed. If you've ever sat at your own kitchen table and wondered if there's a better way…James's story is your proof that there is! In This Episode We Cover How James and Aida used weekly money dates to align on their financial goals and take their first step into real estate The ADU build that created $160K in equity How to approach a private money lender and handle the tough questions Why James intentionally sold 6 properties and why owning fewer doors actually made him more money! The rent-to-own agreement a tenant brought to them: how it works, what an option fee is, and why it removed all their risk And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-734. 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