Real Estate Rookie

Great cash flow is hard to come by in this market, but fortunately, there’s a strategy that can help you maximize your property’s rentable space and profits. In this episode, we’ll show you how to convert your own rental property for co-living or renting-by-the-room! Welcome to another Rookie Reply! Tony and guest co-host Garrett Brown are diving back into the BiggerPockets Forums, and first up, we have a question about one of 2025’s up-and-coming strategies—co-living. This rookie investor wants to maximize the amount of cash flow their property can earn, so we’ll steer them in the right direction with the best arrangement and profitable value-add ideas! Then, we’ll hear from an investor who already has their investing strategy and financing lined up but can’t decide where to invest. We’ll share some crucial market analysis advice and some potentially property-saving tips for managing their rental from afar. Stick around till the end for a question we’ve never been “axed” before, which involves a dangerous short-term rental amenity and potential lawsuit! Looking to invest? Need answers? Ask your question here! In This Episode We Cover Boosting your cash flow with the co-living and rent-by-the-room strategies Value-add renovations that create more rentable space on your property The three keys to a profitable out-of-state investing operation How to properly analyze a market for short-term rentals Must-avoid Airbnb amenities that could get you into legal trouble And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-550 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 bought and held 10 rental properties—each being paid down by tenants—imagine where you would be 10, 20, or 30 years from now. Financially free? Retired? Today’s guest isn’t worried about cash flow or making a quick buck. He’s using a proven, repeatable formula to build wealth with real estate, and in this episode, he’ll show YOU how to mirror his success! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Zach Stanley went from selling printers to buying a pair of rentals without really knowing what he was getting into. Now, at just 28 years old, Zach already has 10 properties to his name and over $1 million in total equity. The cherry on top? He brings in $3,500 in monthly cash flow, even though he’s playing “the long game” with his investments. This allows him to reinvest his profits, save for down payments, and scale his real estate portfolio faster! In today’s episode, Zach will show you how to find great real estate deals with “conservative” analysis and share the number one mistake new investors make when looking for properties. You’ll also learn why appreciation beats cash flow, especially if you want to scale quickly and build long-term wealth! In This Episode We Cover: How Zach scaled to 10 rental properties and over $1 million in equity Reinvesting your cash flow to build your real estate portfolio faster The massive advantage you gain by teaming up with an investor-friendly agent The rookie’s biggest “blind spot” when analyzing real estate deals Why a sales job can help prime you for real estate investing success 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 Follow Real Estate Rookie on Instagram Ask Your Question for a Future Rookie Reply “Like” Real Estate Rookie on Facebook Follow Real Estate Rookie on Instagram Automate your real estate finances with banking and AI-powered bookkeeping. Claim your $100 bonus! Grab the Book, “Pillars of Wealth” Sign Up for the Real Estate Rookie Newsletter Find an Investor-Friendly Agent in Your Area Real Estate Rookie 537 - BUILD, Don’t Buy: The Rookie-Friendly Investing Strategy with 6-Figure Upside Connect with Zach BiggerPockets Agent Finder BiggerPockets Calculators Zach’s Instagram Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-549 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 $65,000 in yearly cash flow from three rental properties?! Today’s guests are on a mission to create generational wealth, and they’re doing it with an investing strategy YOU can use to scale your real estate portfolio fast, too—small multifamily properties! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Daniel and Rebeca Hawthorne didn’t come from money, but they’re looking to reverse that trend and give their family a much better life. In just FIVE years, they have built a small multifamily portfolio of 32 rental units. How did they do it? In this episode, they’ll share how they leveraged home equity to buy their first, second, AND third rental property! Of course, it hasn’t all been smooth sailing. Daniel and Rebeca have had a few tenant horror stories, including one that involves a fraudulent caretaker and over $30,000 in property damage. But despite all the hurdles and growing pains, they’re building massive wealth by amassing units and slowly converting long-term rentals into medium-term rentals for higher cash flow. Stay tuned to hear their full story from childhood poverty to financial freedom! In This Episode We Cover How Daniel and Rebeca scaled to 32 rental units in just FIVE years The blueprint to create generational wealth with small multifamily real estate Leveraging your home equity to fund investment property down payments How to defer capital gain taxes on your property sale with a 1031 exchange Freeing up your time, energy, and ability to scale by hiring a property manager And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-548 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 got some money. You’ve got your strategy. You’ve even analyzed a bunch of rentals. But you still can’t find real estate deals that cash flow. What gives? Today, we’re going to share three things YOU can do to turn more “okay” deals into great deals! Welcome to another Rookie Reply! We’re back with more questions from the BiggerPockets Forums, the best place to ask your questions and get top-notch advice from other investors. First, it can be disheartening to analyze rental properties and come up dry, but we’ve got a few simple adjustments that could change your fortune. We’ll also hear from an investor who’s worried about an appraisal that could break their deal and show them how to use it to their advantage instead! Finally, we’ll share the number one investing strategy all newbies should be paying attention to in 2025. This is a low-risk way for any beginner to break into real estate investing. The best part? It can be seriously profitable! Looking to invest? Need answers? Ask your question here! In This Episode We Cover: Three things you can do to find real estate deals that cash flow The number one thing new investors get wrong when analyzing properties Getting an even better deal by using an appraisal to negotiate with sellers The “hottest” investing strategy beginners need to pay attention to in 2025 How to “soup up” your cash flow with co-living and rent-by-the-room 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 Follow Real Estate Rookie on Instagram Ask Your Question for a Future Rookie Reply “Like” Real Estate Rookie on Facebook Follow Real Estate Rookie on Instagram BiggerPockets Agent Finder BiggerPockets Calculators Real Estate Rookie 195 - Financially Free in 2.5 Years by Buying “Low Risk” Rental Properties Maximize Your Real Estate Investing with a Self-Directed IRA from Equity Trust Ask Your Question for a Future Rookie Reply Grab the Book “Real Estate by the Numbers” Sign Up for the Real Estate Rookie Newsletter Find an Investor-Friendly Agent in Your Area Real Estate Rookie 265 - Making $90K/Year with Just ONE Rental by Combining Compassion and Cash Flow Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-547 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

Could rentals give YOU financial freedom? Today’s guest took a giant leap of faith to invest in real estate, and it allowed her to quit her low-paying W2 job in just five years. If you’ve yet to take the first step in your investing journey, this rags-to-riches story will inspire you to get off the sidelines and into the game! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Earning just $28,000 a year as a lab tech and struggling to pay rent on a property she didn’t even own, Deandra McDonald was determined to buy a house and enjoy the long-term benefits of owning real estate. But when her lender told her she couldn’t qualify for a mortgage, Deandra did what so many aspiring investors are unwilling to do—she cut out ALL unnecessary spending to pay off her debts, rebuild her credit, and save for a down payment. In just 18 months, she was able to buy her first house—all while working the same low-paying job! And that’s just the beginning of Deandra’s story. After realizing that renting out a room in her new home could cover her mortgage payment, she caught the multifamily investing bug. Fast forward to today, and Deandra has built a multimillion-dollar real estate portfolio. Tune in to find out exactly how she did it and how you can copy her success! In This Episode We Cover The investing strategy that helped Deandra to quit her W2 job in just five years How Deandra bought her first property while making just $28,000 a year Fast-tracking your down payment by cutting unnecessary expenses Leveraging your current properties to grow your real estate portfolio The secrets to self-managing your properties (and keeping tenants happy!) How to seamlessly pivot from single-family homes to multifamily investments And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-546 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

Seeing investors with hundreds of rental units can be intimidating, but you DON’T need a massive real estate portfolio to achieve your financial goals. As you’re about to hear, buying just one rental property could allow you to live rent-free and put you on the path toward financial independence! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! From a young age, Ronny Heredia knew he wanted to achieve financial independence, but there had to be a better way than grinding away at a W2 job for 40-plus years. Naturally, he started investing in stocks, but before long, his curiosity had led him to real estate investing. He consumed as much information as he could, saved up some money for a down payment, and purchased his first property—a “luxury” house hack that covers his entire mortgage payment each month! Now, Ronny has (good) problems on his hands. Should he pay off his mortgage or buy more rentals? We’ll explore all his options in today’s episode. But that’s not all. Ronny will also share some of the real estate investing hacks he’s picked up along the way—like the easiest way to raise rent (and keep your tenants happy) and how to use 100%-free AI tools to find the best real estate deals in your market! In This Episode We Cover: Fast-tracking financial independence with a “small and mighty” portfolio Paying off your first property versus scaling your real estate portfolio How to eliminate your mortgage payment with the house hacking strategy The easiest way to negotiate rent increases with your tenants How to use AI to find “hidden gem” properties that other investors overlook 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 Follow Real Estate Rookie on Instagram Ask Your Question for a Future Rookie Reply “Like” Real Estate Rookie on Facebook Follow Real Estate Rookie on Instagram Real Estate Rookie 429 - The Investing “Map” You NEED to Uncover Hot Markets, Neighborhoods, & Deals Real Estate Rookie 47 - 0 to 7 Deals in a Year Using Other People’s Money with Andres Bernal Ronny’s Instagram Browse AI ChatGPT Manage Your Rental with RentRedi! Collect Mobile Rent Payments, Find Qualified Renters, and Manage Accounting and Maintenance from Anywhere! Buy the Book, “The Small and Mighty Real Estate Investor” Sign Up for the Real Estate Rookie Newsletter Find an Investor-Friendly Agent in Your Area Real Estate Rookie 463 - The “Lazy” Landlord’s Guide to Finding (And Keeping) Tenants & Raising Rents Connect with Ronny Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-545 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 around $25,000 saved? Good news—you can invest in real estate! There are several ways to get started, but which investing strategy reigns supreme? We’ll show you how to get the best bang for your buck so you can buy your next investment even faster! Welcome to another Rookie Reply! We went back into the BiggerPockets Forums and Real Estate Rookie Facebook group and found more investing questions from beginners just like you. Today’s first question comes from an investor who’s struggling to pick a market. Should they hone in on a single area, or will scouring multiple markets speed up their search for the perfect deal? You might be surprised to hear where Ashley and Tony land on this one! Then, we’ll hear from an investor who has saved $25,000 to put towards their first rental property. Like many rookies, they’re looking to scale their real estate portfolio fast, so we’ll share our favorite strategies for doing just that—including a few outside-the-box ideas. Finally, how do you vet a co-signer when screening tenants? We’ll show you how to cover all your bases! Looking to invest? Need answers? Ask your question here! In This Episode We Cover How to start investing in real estate with just $25,000 (or less) The best ways to put low (or no) money down on a rental property How to pick the right market to invest in (and when to pick multiple!) The key to finding more real estate deals with a “narrow” buy box How to properly vet a co-signer for your new tenant’s lease And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-544 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

Have high interest rates and home prices affected your ability to buy cash-flowing real estate deals? If you’re struggling to find properties that pencil out, you don’t want to miss this episode. If there’s anyone who can teach you how to find great deals, even in this housing market, it’s today’s guest. He wrote the book on it! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Today, we’re joined by fellow investor, On the Market co-host, and author of Real Estate Deal Maker, Henry Washington. Given today’s difficult market conditions, is Henry pivoting to another investing strategy? Nope! He’s sticking to “boring,” single-family and multifamily properties that he either rents out to tenants or flips for a profit. But he is changing how he analyzes deals, and he’ll show YOU how to do the same in today’s episode! Stay tuned if you want to know how to buy your first or next rental property in 2025. Henry will show you the four-step approach he uses to find undervalued deals today and how to buy discounted properties from builders looking to move old inventory. But that’s not all. You’ll also learn how to fund these deals using small local banks, retirement accounts, and other people’s money (OPM)! In This Episode We Cover: The four-step “shotgun” approach to finding real estate deals in today’s market Why the way you analyze deals must evolve (even if your strategy doesn’t!) Creative ways to source “undervalued,” off-market real estate deals in any market How to fund your next property by leveraging your retirement accounts Buying discounted properties from builders looking to “offload” inventory How to get your spouse on board with your real estate investing goals 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 Follow Real Estate Rookie on Instagram Ask Your Question for a Future Rookie Reply “Like” Real Estate Rookie on Facebook Follow Real Estate Rookie on Instagram Henry’s Instagram Grab Henry’s Book, “Real Estate Deal Maker” Sign Up for the Real Estate Rookie Newsletter Find Investor-Friendly Lenders 5 Ways to Find Off-Market Real Estate Deals Like a Pro (00:00) Intro (00:45) Breaking Into Real Estate (03:18) Funding His First Deal (08:48) Analyzing Deals in THIS Market (12:48) “Conservative” Underwriting 101 (22:18) How to Find Deals TODAY (29:57) Getting a Spouse on Board (37:34) Connect with Henry! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-543 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 $6,000 in monthly cash flow from just four rentals?! Given the current housing market, it seems impossible, but today’s guest is about to show you the secrets to building a profitable real estate portfolio. There are opportunities out there—you just need to know where to look! While many beginners hope to one day earn enough rental income to quit their W2 jobs, Jamie Banks did the reverse—leaving her job to go all-in on real estate investing. This risky move paid off, as in just two years, she has already built a portfolio with enough income to replace her salary. She started out co-hosting, and while this strategy helped her learn the ropes of residential investing, it wasn’t going to help her build wealth. So, she turned her attention to buying rental properties instead—using her superpower, networking, to find private money lenders who could help fund her deals! Jamie’s journey hasn’t been all smooth sailing. She has heard “no” more times than she can count, tried several investing strategies, and bought a property that barely breaks even. But despite the setbacks, she has always found a way to learn and grow. And Jamie isn’t taking her foot off the gas any time soon. Stay tuned to hear how she plans to scale to $10,000 in monthly cash flow and break into commercial real estate! In This Episode We Cover How Jamie scaled to $6,000 in monthly cash flow in just TWO years The secret to finding “unlimited” money to fund your real estate deals Two strategies you can use to make money before you buy rental properties Using “inside information” to uncover the next up-and-coming markets How to pin down the perfect investing strategy for your long-term goals Getting a mix of stability and high cash flow with medium-term rentals And So Much More! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many “experts” say you need a real estate LLC once you buy a rental property, but are they right? They also say you need money and great credit to invest in real estate, but we know of other creative ways to get started. Stick around to learn how! Welcome back to another Rookie Reply! Ashley and Tony have pulled more of your recent questions from the BiggerPockets Forums, and today’s first question comes from an investor who just bought their first rental property. Do they need to set up a limited liability company (LLC) right off the bat, or can they hold off until they grow their real estate portfolio? We’ll show them the best ways to protect their personal assets! We’ll also hear from an investor who wants to get into house hacking. The only problem? They live in an expensive market, and the deal they’re looking at doesn’t pencil out. Could pivoting to another investing strategy make it profitable? Finally, a lack of money keeps many beginners from breaking into real estate, but it doesn’t have to. We’ll share some creative ways to kickstart your investing journey if you don’t have a ton of money or credit! Looking to invest? Need answers? Ask your question here! In This Episode We Cover: Whether you need a limited liability company (LLC) for your first rental property The differences between umbrella policies and LLCs (and which one YOU need) How to create more cash flow from a house hack (even in a pricey market!) How to start your real estate investing journey without much money or great credit Learning the industry and making extra money with real estate side hustles 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 Follow Real Estate Rookie on Instagram Ask Your Question for a Future Rookie Reply “Like” Real Estate Rookie on Facebook The Millionaire Next Door The Psychology of Money Build Your Investing Network at BPCON2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada Ask Your Question for a Future Rookie Reply Grab “The Book on Investing in Real Estate with No (and Low) Money Down” Sign Up for the Real Estate Rookie Newsletter Find an Investor-Friendly Agent in Your Area Real Estate Rookie 105 - Don’t Lose Your Portfolio to Lawsuits! Here’s How to Protect Yourself Real Estate Rookie 106 - Asset Protection for Rookies: 7 Wealth-Saving Answers from an Expert (00:00) Intro (00:31) Do You NEED an LLC? (06:32) House Hacking in a Pricy Market (13:50) Investing Without Money or Credit (23:56) Ask Your Question! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-541 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

So, you want to invest in real estate…but where should you start? What’s the best type of rental property for a beginner? It’s easy to become overwhelmed by all the options, but in this episode, we’ll provide the four-step framework you need to make the right choice! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! First, we’ll share four steps that will help you pin down the right investing strategy for your budget, lifestyle, and long-term goals. Then, we’ll introduce you to a few of the most beginner-friendly types of rental properties. Are you light on cash? House hacking could help you take down your first investment property with relatively little money out of pocket. Are you looking to scale your real estate portfolio as quickly as possible? The BRRRR method (buy, rehab, rent, refinance, repeat) is one of the fastest ways to build wealth in real estate. Would you prefer your real estate investments to be mostly hands-off? Perhaps a long-term rental is more your speed. Stick around till the end to learn about the three most common mistakes we see new investors make and what YOU must do to avoid them! In This Episode We Cover: The four BEST types of rental properties for new investors The four-step formula for choosing the right investing strategy Creative ways to get into real estate investing when you’re light on cash The secret to scaling your real estate portfolio quickly (without a ton of money) Three common rookie investing mistakes (and how to avoid them!) 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 Follow Real Estate Rookie on Instagram Ask Your Question for a Future Rookie Reply “Like” Real Estate Rookie on Facebook Monarch Money RealBricks Buy the Book, “Start with Strategy” Sign Up for the Real Estate Rookie Newsletter Find an Investor-Friendly Agent in Your Area Find Investor-Friendly Lenders Which Real Estate Investing Strategy Is Best for Your Goals? (00:00) Intro (01:05) Step 1. Define Your Goals (03:44) Step 2. Determine Your Involvement (07:32) Step 3. Assess Your Finances (13:04) Step 4. Know Your Market (15:49) House Hacking (17:24) The BRRRR Strategy (22:12) Short-Term Rentals (25:20) Long-Term Rentals (29:51) Analysis Paralysis (32:25) Shiny Object Syndrome (35:22) Taking Bad Advice Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-540 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 the time-tested investing strategy that will make you rich 10, 20, or 30 years from now? Despite market uncertainty, buying rentals is still a savvy move if you’re playing the long game. That’s what today’s guest is doing—using a mix of steady cash flow and appreciation to reach financial freedom! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! After a bad experience with a financial advisor, Anthony Finger decided to take control of his investments. He started with everyone’s favorite “boring” investment, index funds, and before long, he had brought his slow and steady approach over to real estate—buying seven long-term rentals over seven years. Today, his real estate portfolio brings in $2,400 in monthly cash flow, and Anthony has already built up over $600,000 in total equity! The conservative approach might not be as “sexy” as Airbnb or as exciting as flipping houses, but it’s a surefire way to build wealth with real estate. Tune in as Anthony shares the perks of investing in your own backyard, the benefits of buying turnkey rentals, and the secret to buying new construction at a discount! In This Episode We Cover: How Anthony scaled “slowly” to seven properties in seven years “Safe” investments that will put you on the path to financial freedom Building a stable portfolio with low-maintenance, turnkey rental properties How to achieve a mix of equity and cash flow in THIS housing market The benefits of investing in your own backyard (and when to look elsewhere!) The crucial mindset shift you need to succeed in real estate 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 Follow Real Estate Rookie on Instagram Ask Your Question for a Future Rookie Reply “Like” Real Estate Rookie on Facebook BiggerPockets Calculators Rent to Retirement Anthony's Instagram Get Your Tickets to BPCON2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada Grab “The Book on Rental Property Investing” Sign Up for the Real Estate Rookie Newsletter Property Manager Finder Real Estate Rookie 123 - “Building” Wealth as a 24-Year-Old with 12 New Construction Projects Connect with Anthony (00:00) Intro (00:51) Buying His First Rental (05:30) Crucial Mindset Shift (09:34) Anthony’s Portfolio (14:45) Tough Lessons Learned (21:44) Scaling “Slowly” (28:25) Cash Flow AND Equity (35:09) Connect with Anthony! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-539 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

Anyone can analyze a rental property, but if you’re not careful, it’s easy to overlook significant costs that wipe out your cash flow and put you in the red. Thankfully, we’ve got some timely tips that will help you avoid these critical mistakes! Welcome to another Rookie Reply! Ashley and Tony are back with more questions from the BiggerPockets Forums and BiggerPockets Facebook groups. Worried that your “good” real estate deal might not be a good deal after all? We’ll show you some of the things you must account for before you buy! Next, we’ll discuss the ins and outs of real estate partnerships. Whose name should go on the mortgage? How do you ensure that both parties own the property? We have the answers! Finally, how do you make an offer on a property you haven’t seen? What if you receive a low appraisal? We’ll show you how to find “boots on the ground” in any market, renegotiate with the seller, and close on your property for a great price! Looking to invest? Need answers? Ask your question here! In This Episode We Cover: Costs you must account for when analyzing a rental property The biggest pros and cons of turnkey real estate investing How to properly budget for capital expenditures, maintenance, and repairs Why you need a five-year exit plan when structuring a partnership How to find “boots on the ground” when investing out of state Renegotiating with the seller after receiving a low appraisal 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 Follow Real Estate Rookie on Instagram Ask Your Question for a Future Rookie Reply “Like” Real Estate Rookie on Facebook BiggerPockets Calculators Grab Our Book, “Real Estate Partnerships” Sign Up for the Real Estate Rookie Newsletter Find Investor-Friendly Lenders Real Estate Rookie 326 - The Step-by-Step Guide to Finding the BEST Off-Market Real Estate Deals (00:00) Intro (00:18) Good or Bad Deal? (07:31) Structuring Partnerships (17:32) Making Offers (Out of State!) (28:25) Ask Your Question! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-538 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

A single-family home could give you some extra cash flow, but what if there was a way to make six-figure returns from “rentals” that breathe new life into your town? Today, we’ll share a rookie-friendly investing strategy that allows you to do just that, all while using very little (if any) of your own money! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Katie Neason is a big believer in “investing where you’re invested” and has built a real estate business that allows her to make huge returns while revitalizing her hometown of Bryan, Texas. Unlike normal real estate development, which involves new construction on raw land, redevelopment is the process of taking an area that was previously built on and giving it a new purpose. The best part about redevelopment? Your city might actually want you to do it—meaning you could get all kinds of grants and tax breaks to bring your vision to life! In this episode, Katie will give you a detailed walkthrough of her most recent deal, show you the perfect “gateway” redevelopment project for a new investor (step by step), and teach you how to get started with this strategy using other people’s money (OPM)! In This Episode We Cover: Redevelopment explained (and why it’s even better than new development) Making huge returns and revitalizing neighborhoods with the new BRRRR strategy The perfect “gateway” project into redevelopment for new investors How to fund a redevelopment project with little to no money A step-by-step walkthrough of Katie’s most recent redevelopment deal How to determine whether your town or city is “developer-friendly” 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 Follow Real Estate Rookie on Instagram Ask Your Question for a Future Rookie Reply “Like” Real Estate Rookie on Facebook Build-to-Sell Calculator Katie’s Instagram Start Earning Passive Income from Rental Properties with Realbricks Grab the Book, “Raising Private Capital” Sign Up for the Real Estate Rookie Newsletter Find Investor-Friendly Lenders Urban Redevelopment & How to Capitalize on a Profitable Trend Katie's BiggerPockets Profile (00:00) Intro (00:59) What Is “Redevelopment”? (04:57) The “Gateway” Into Redevelopment (07:06) Next Steps for Rookies (16:13) How to Fund Your Project (21:41) Katie’s Most Recent Deal (30:55) 4 Tips for New Investors (34:32) Connect with Katie! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-537 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 can’t create cash flow in this housing market? Think again! Today’s guest will introduce you to a strategy that can take a regular rental property and maximize its profits. It’s allowed him to net $5,000 each month and quit his W2 job in just 18 months! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Just two years ago, Andres Martinez was waiting tables and saving every penny possible for a house. But when he was told he still couldn’t qualify for a mortgage, he turned his attention to wholesaling in order to learn more about real estate investing and make some extra money. Little did he know that he would soon stumble upon a strategy that would change his life and give him financial freedom—co-living! After buying a couple of properties, Andres quit his job to go all-in on this strategy. This move paid off, as he’s been able to scale his real estate portfolio to five properties (soon to be six!) and over $5,000 in monthly cash flow. The best part? He’s been able to buy all of his properties using other people’s money (OPM), seller financing, and subject to deals. Stick around as Andres tells you all about his buy box, how he analyzes rental properties, and why co-living might just be the next big thing in 2025! In This Episode We Cover: Making $5,000 in monthly cash flow from five rental properties How Andres was able to quit his W2 job in 18 months with real estate The investing strategy that maximizes your rental property’s profits Why co-living presents a huge opportunity for investors in 2025 and beyond The best real estate side hustles to fast-track your investing journey 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 Follow Real Estate Rookie on Instagram Ask Your Question for a Future Rookie Reply “Like” Real Estate Rookie on Facebook PadSplit Andres’ Instagram Buy the Book, “Wealth Without Cash” Sign Up for the Real Estate Rookie Newsletter Find Investor-Friendly Lenders Co-Living Units Are Helping Investors Generate Higher Returns—Here’s What You Need to Know Connect with Andres (00:00) Intro (00:33) Hustling for a House (07:33) Co-Living 101 (11:40) “Testing” His Strategy (17:51) Andres’ Current Portfolio (24:29) How to Find Properties (27:32) Quitting His W2 Job (31:25) $5,000 Monthly Cash Flow! (32:12) Connect with Andres! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-536 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 it time to SELL your rental property? Not so fast! Bad cash flow isn’t the end of the world if you’re banking on appreciation, and there are several ways to increase your cash flow. But certain problems aren’t worth the headaches, and in this episode, we’ll share some telltale signs that you should sell! Welcome back to another Rookie Reply! Today’s first question comes from a new investor who’s looking to go from buying beginner-friendly, turnkey properties to scaling with the BRRRR method (buy, rehab, rent, refinance, repeat). Is this a doable next step or should they stick with what’s been working? We’ll show you why this investing strategy isn’t as intimidating as it might seem! Next, we’ll discuss what you should do if your property is bleeding money. At what point should you move on? Maybe you’ve already decided to cash out but are struggling to sell your investment property. We’ll show you how to move that stubborn listing! Looking to invest? Need answers? Ask your question here! In This Episode We Cover Signs you should SELL your rental property (and when to hold instead) Properly analyzing rental properties so you DON’T get stuck with a bad investment How to use the BRRRR method to scale your real estate portfolio Earning semi-passive income with turnkey rentals How to choose the right real estate investing strategy for YOU Creative strategies for moving an old listing that has been sitting on the market And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-535 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 spending your money on rent or stashing it in a traditional savings account? You could make your money work harder for you and get on the path to financial freedom with real estate investing. Today, we’re going to show you exactly how to buy your first rental property in 2025, step by step! Despite rising home prices and high interest rates, now is an ideal time for new investors to buy real estate, as they face less competition and have even more leverage. So, in this episode, Ashley and Tony are going to show you seven steps that will get you off the sidelines and into the game! First, we’ll help you lay a foundation for investing. You’ll not only need to get your financial house in order but also set clear investing goals, determine your purchasing power, and choose your investing strategy. You’ll also learn how to do things like find a lender, choose your market, and assemble your investing team. Then, we’ll start looking at deals! We’ll share how to build your buy box, analyze properties, and negotiate with sellers. Most importantly, we’ll teach you the right way to build your business so that you succeed today AND as you scale your real estate portfolio! In This Episode We Cover: How to buy your first rental property in 2025 (step by step) Why NOW is the perfect time for new investors to get into real estate The three things you must do before buying an investment property How to create your “buy box” and start analyzing rental properties The value of building relationships with small, local banks and credit unions Must-have systems and processes for your real estate business 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 Follow Real Estate Rookie on Instagram Ask Your Question for a Future Rookie Reply “Like” Real Estate Rookie on Facebook The Rookie’s Cheat Sheet for Market Research (Find Where to Invest in 2024) Real Estate Investing Resources Property Buy Box Worksheet How to Financially Prepare to Buy Your First Rental Property (7 Steps) Follow Real Estate Rookie on Instagram Pick Up Ashley’s Book “Real Estate Rookie” Sign Up for the Real Estate Rookie Newsletter Find an Investor-Friendly Agent in Your Area Find Investor-Friendly Lenders Real Estate Rookie 523 - The “Secret Sauce” for Buying Rental Properties BELOW Market Value (00:00) Intro (00:36) Why Real Estate? (04:49) Step 1. Lay the Foundation (09:25) Step 2. Talk to a Lender (11:27) Step 3. Choose Your Market (14:59) Step 4. Build Out Your Team (18:49) Step 5. Create Your Buy Box (25:03) Step 6. Make an Offer (31:53) Step 7. Prepare for Closing (33:56) Find Your NEXT Deal! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-534 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

Are you stuck with a problematic property? What if you could create thousands of dollars in monthly cash flow just by pivoting to the right investing strategy for your property and market? That’s exactly what today’s guest did, and if you stick around, she’ll show you how to repeat her success! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Aleea Stanton’s grandparents gave up their home to put her through college, so after graduating from law school, she saved up and bought them a house. Little did she know that this would ignite a passion for real estate investing and home renovation projects. Before long, Aleea had gone on to fix and flip eight houses—averaging $40,000 in profit per home—and even pocketed a whopping $200,000 on her most recent flip! Despite the huge profit margins she earned with this lucrative strategy, Aleea decided to diversify her real estate portfolio with buy-and-hold investing. Now, she brings in an additional $3,000 in consistent monthly cash flow, all thanks to a combination of long-term and medium-term rentals. Tune in as Aleea shares her biggest successes and several critical mistakes to avoid! In This Episode We Cover: Making thousands in monthly cash flow by pivoting to another investing strategy Why diversification is one of the most powerful tools in a difficult housing market The number one thing that will make or break your renovation projects Why you should always order your own home inspection (even if you waive one) Creative ways to find off-market real estate deals in a competitive market 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 Follow Real Estate Rookie on Instagram Ask Your Question for a Future Rookie Reply “Like” Real Estate Rookie on Facebook Maximize Your Real Estate Investing with a Self-Directed IRA from Equity Trust Buy the Book “Start with Strategy” Sign Up for the Real Estate Rookie Newsletter Find an Investor-Friendly Agent in Your Area Which Real Estate Investing Strategy Is Best for Your Goals? (00:00) Intro (00:35) Buying Her First House (05:35) Flipping 8 Houses! (08:12) Pivoting to Long-Term Rentals (16:58) Finding Great MLS Deals (28:20) Mid-Term Rentals & Off-Market Deals (31:49) Connect with Aleea! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-533 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 STOP buying rentals? How do you structure a seller financing deal? Can you invest out of state without a property manager? Whether you’re looking to improve your cash flow or buy a property without the bank, there’s something for you in today’s Rookie Reply! Our first question comes from an investor who is looking at a potential seller financing opportunity. Should they make multiple offers? How should they structure terms? Tune in to hear the tips Ashley and Tony have used to get low-money-down seller financing in the past! Next, we’ll hear from an investor whose real estate portfolio is barely breaking even. We’ll discuss whether they should stop buying rentals, but we’ll also dive into their assets and see if there’s an even easier (and more passive) way to build wealth with real estate! Finally, is there a cost-effective way to manage your properties from afar while still having boots on the ground to handle things like showings and move-in inspections? Ashley has some outside-the-box ideas you could try! Looking to invest? Need answers? Ask your question here! In This Episode We Cover: How to reach your real estate investing goals without buying more rentals How to pitch seller financing (and negotiate terms) when buying property Whether you should make multiple offers on the same property (and how to do it) Building wealth through passive real estate investing opportunities How to leverage your retirement accounts to invest in real estate How to manage rental properties when investing out of state 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 Follow Real Estate Rookie on Instagram Ask Your Question for a Future Rookie Reply “Like” Real Estate Rookie on Facebook PropStream Buy the Book “Start with Strategy” Sign Up for the Real Estate Rookie Newsletter Find an Investor-Friendly Agent in Your Area Which Real Estate Investing Strategy Is Best for Your Goals? (00:00) Intro (00:32) Seller Financing 101 (11:14) STOP Buying Rentals? (21:50) Managing Rentals from Afar (24:20) Ask Your Question! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-532 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 want to know how to invest in real estate in 2025, even if you earn an average salary, you’re in the right place. In this episode, we’re going to break down the exact steps YOU can take to buy your first or next rental property—yes, even in today’s tough housing market! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Today, Ashley, Tony, and investor Luke Carl are going to share how they would invest in real estate in 2025 if they were starting from scratch. We’ll look at today’s housing market from the perspective of someone who earns an average salary of $75,000 or less and share our favorite strategies, property types, and loans for a beginner. Stay tuned to learn why Ashley recommends forming a partnership for your first real estate deal, why Tony loves the NACA mortgage, and why Luke likes to target properties that need a little love. We’ll also share our top tips for new investors—from getting a mentor and building rapport with lenders to avoiding “shiny object syndrome” and fast-tracking your savings for a bigger down payment! In This Episode We Cover: How to invest in today’s market with an average salary ($75,000 or less) Creative ways to put low (or no) money down on an investment property The best real estate investing strategies for a new investor Whether you should pay off debt before investing in real estate Managing your own rentals versus hiring a property management company 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 Follow Real Estate Rookie on Instagram Ask Your Question for a Future Rookie Reply “Like” Real Estate Rookie on Facebook NACA Luke’s Website Maximize Your Real Estate Investing with a Self-Directed IRA from Equity Trust Grab the Book “Smarter Short-Term Rentals” Sign Up for the Real Estate Rookie Newsletter Find Investor-Friendly Lenders Real Estate Investing for Beginners: How to Get Started Connect with Luke (00:00) Intro (00:57) First Steps for Rookies (07:44) Building a Financial Foundation (11:40) Getting Preapproved (16:35) Best Property Types (23:04) Finding the Deal (29:38) Paying Off Debt vs. Investing (33:29) Advice for New Investors (36:16) Connect with Luke! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-531 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