Real Estate Rookie

Over $100,000 from medium-term rentals…in just 18 months?! It’s a pipe dream to many, but it’s reality for today’s guest. After connecting with a few colleagues about real estate investing, David Rosenbeck left his established career as a nurse practitioner to dive headfirst into the investing world—carving out a niche that married his former job with his newfound passion: medium-term rentals for traveling nurses. David and his wife bought their first rental property, and within 24 hours of going live, it had booked nine months out. The rest is history. David has since replaced his six-figure income with this flexible job that allows him to work fewer hours, stress less, and build the dream lifestyle for him and his family. If you’re afraid that short-term rental properties are difficult to manage or that long-term properties don’t generate enough monthly income, this is the episode for you. David shares all of the secrets that helped him earn over $100,000 in only 18 months from medium-term rentals. He touches on pitching Airbnb arbitrage to landlords, moving every 12 months to build your real estate portfolio faster, and finding the “misfit” properties that make the PERFECT rentals! In This Episode We Cover The advantages of medium-term over short-term and long-term rentals How to find the best areas to invest in medium-term rental properties Profiting without owning a property and using Airbnb arbitrage when renting to traveling nurses Moving every 12 months to get a lower down payment on new properties Finding the “misfit” properties that make the BEST medium-term rentals The best places to find medium-term tenants for your rental properties And So Much More! Links from the Show Find an Investor-Friendly Real Estate Agent Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram Airbnb AirDNA BiggerPockets BiggerPockets Calculators Facebook Group Furnished Finder MLS PriceLabs Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group Real Estate Rookie Podcast Real Estate Rookie Youtube Channel The Real Estate Podcast Vrbo Will Your Area Work for Medium-Term Rentals? Zillow Connect with David: David's BiggerPockets Profile David's Instagram Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-273 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

While driving for dollars, you stumble across a property with back taxes on it. What do you do? Contact the owner about your interest? Check with the courthouse first? Of course, you don’t want to make a real estate faux pas and miss out on a great deal! Fortunately, Ashley and Tony are here to help you navigate the situation. Welcome back to another Rookie Reply! Today, we’re addressing properties with tax liens and how to potentially get them below market value. We also talk about buying property as a real estate agent and putting your commission towards a down payment. If home renovations are on your radar, you’ll want to tune in to our discussion on estimating rehab costs and pulling permits. Lastly, you’ll learn about tax strategies for flippers, and why hiring a tax planner is a must, even if you’ve yet to buy your first property! If you want Ashley and Tony to answer a real estate question, you can post in the Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group! Or, call us at the Rookie Request Line (1-888-5-ROOKIE). In This Episode We Cover Buying a property with back taxes on it and where to find tax lien properties How to get paid TWICE by wholesaling a property to yourself Estimating material and labor costs before you commit to a renovation The best tax strategies for flippers (and why you need a tax planner!) Whether you can work closing costs into an FHA loan and low/no down payment loan options Why pulling permits is a MUST if you plan on doing a rehab, renovation, or house flip And So Much More! Links from the Show Find an Investor-Friendly Real Estate Agent Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group Join BiggerPockets for FREE A Step-by-Step Guide to Estimating Rehab Costs w/ Master Flipper & Investor James Dainard (Part 1) Finding Contractors, Renovation Red Flags, and Estimating Rehab Costs (Part 2) w/ James Dainard BiggerPockets Forums How to Legally Avoid Taxes by Investing in Real Estate From Restaurant Waiter to 100+ Deals in Only 4 Years w/ Derrick Acuff Making $90K/Year with Just ONE Rental by Combining Compassion and Cash Flow Propstream Zillow Book Mentioned in This Episode: The Book on Estimating Rehab Costs by J Scott Connect with Ashley and Tony: Ashley's BiggerPockets Profile Ashley's Instagram Tony's BiggerPockets Profile Tony's Instagram Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-272 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

$900K in real estate at age 17!? That can’t be possible! If you’re feeling shocked, join the club because today’s episode is something that’ll leave you more fired up than ever before. We talk to Ava Yuergens, a high schooler who’s purchased more real estate than most full-grown adults. Without the ability to even get a credit card of her own, Ava has taken down almost a million dollars in real estate, all thanks to creative financing, hard work, and a determination to build wealth no matter what. Want to repeat her road to success? Stick around! Like most young entrepreneurs, Ava caught the cash flow bug after reading Robert Kiyosaki’s Rich Dad Poor Dad. This classic book opened her eyes to the world of income-producing assets, catapulting her toward the topic of real estate investing. She was up early before school, reading how to invest, where to find off-market deals, and how to finance a property when you have no full-time income. With some thoughtful planning and serious due diligence, Ava was able to close on not one but two rental properties before graduating high school. And whether you’re fifteen, twenty-five, or fifty, Ava’s advice is useful for ANY real estate investor in ANY stage of life. She walks through exactly how to find your first real estate deal, getting comfortable with an investing strategy, bringing in partners and funding (when you don’t have the cash), and turning your small side hustles into massive streams of income. With this type of mindset, we know we’ll be hearing back from Ava very soon. In This Episode We Cover How to invest in real estate at a young age with no job or credit  Ava’s step-by-step checklist for getting your first real estate deal  Serious side hustles and using part-time work to fund future real estate deals Real estate partnerships and how to split responsibilities when buying a property How to find off-market deals, cold-calling, direct mail, and getting properties at a discount Short-term rental investing and why most rookies choose self-management over third-party property management And So Much More! Links from the Show Find an Investor-Friendly Real Estate Agent Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram Airbnb BiggerPockets MLS Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group Alpha Geek Capital BiggerPockets Calculators Google Drive Guesty Robuilt Youtube Channel The Real Estate Podcast Vrbo Check Out Tony’s Messaging Guide for Short-Term Rentals 18 Deals in 2 Years AND a Full Time Job with Kevin Christensen Books Mentioned in This Episode: Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki Short-Term Rental, Long-Term Wealth by Avery Carl Traction by Gino Wickman Connect with Ava:: Ava's BiggerPockets Profile Ava's Instagram Ava's Tiktok Ava's Youtube Channel Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-271 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 capital to own property? Enter Airbnb arbitrage, the popular investment strategy that allows you to rent out someone else’s property for a profit. Of course, there are a few challenges that come with this. Namely, you’ll need to convince your landlord that it’s a good idea! As always, Ashley and Tony are back with some important tips. In today’s episode of Rookie Reply, we’re breaking down Airbnb arbitrage, and weighing the pros and cons on both sides of the arrangement. We also touch on the best liability protection strategies, using a HELOC for a down payment, and when it might be advantageous to buy a turnkey property versus a distressed property. Finally, we tackle the subject of tax planning and how hiring a CPA could help you save a fortune come tax season! If you want Ashley and Tony to answer a real estate question, you can post in the Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group! Or, call us at the Rookie Request Line (1-888-5-ROOKIE). In This Episode We Cover How to get into real estate without owning property Why a landlord would agree to Airbnb arbitrage (and how to convince them) The MASSIVE tax savings of hiring a CPA for tax planning Using a HELOC for a down payment on a long-term rental property When it makes sense to purchase a turnkey property versus a distressed property LLCs, umbrella insurance policies, and the best strategies to protect yourself from liability And So Much More! Links from the Show Find an Investor-Friendly Real Estate Agent Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group Real Estate Rookie Podcast Airbnb BiggerPockets Rental Property Calculator How to (Legally) Avoid Taxes by Investing in Real Estate Don’t Lose Your Portfolio to Lawsuits! Here’s How to Protect Yourself Growing Your Portfolio with Turnkey Investing with Whitney Hutten and Lance Robinson It’s Not All About Cash Flow: 4 Ways Real Estate Makes You Rich Asset Protection for Rookies: 7 Wealth-Saving Answers from an Expert MLS The Real Estate Podcast TurboTax Connect with Ashley and Tony: Ashley's BiggerPockets Profile Ashley's Instagram Tony's BiggerPockets Profile Tony's Instagram Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-270 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 know what to do AFTER closing on a house? You’ve found your market, done your due diligence, passed your inspections, and now you’re asking, “what’s next?” Two of our three mentees are about to close on their first (and next) rental properties, but they don’t have to go in blind, thanks to the expert guidance of experienced investors Ashley and Tony. But we’re not just talking about a post-closing checklist. Instead, we’ll get into the nitty-gritty of getting a new short-term rental, how to handle inherited tenants, when to switch your investing strategy, and what happens when you discover a BIG plumbing problem in a property. We’re back to conclude our final meeting with our ninety-day mentees. Brandon, Lawrence, and Melanie have made MASSIVE strides to become real estate investors. Brandon and Melanie come back with deals under contract and close to closing, while Lawrence is looking to switch up strategies and potentially re-enter the cash-flowing world of college rentals. All the mentees have taken significant steps to success in just three months, and you can do it too! Stick around if you’re trying to get your next rental property under contract, as Brandon, Lawrence, and Melanie discuss why having community, accountability, and pressure for success took their investing to the NEXT LEVEL. If you want to break through your biggest goals, sign up for BiggerPockets Pro today and join our next Real Estate Rookie Bootcamp! In This Episode We Cover Investing in short-term rentals and how to set your house rules for new guests  Out-of-state investing and closing on a rental property remotely Home inspections and why they’re almost ALWAYS worth the cost Inherited tenants, estoppel agreements, and what to do as soon as you buy a rental with tenants Delayed maintenance and what happens when you uncover pricey plumbing problems in a property Student rentals and using them to make more cash flow than a regular rental property Accountability, community, and why investing together can help you build wealth faster And So Much More! Links from the Show Find an Investor-Friendly Real Estate Agent Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram Airbnb Apartments.com Avail BiggerPockets BiggerPockets Bootcam The BiggerPockets Money Podcast BiggerPockets Pro Hostfully MLS On the Market Podcast Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group Real Estate Rookie Podcast PriceLabs RentRedi Tony’s Short-Term Rental Shopping List Rookie to Real Estate Investor in 90 Days: LIVE Mentorship Calls Rookie to Real Estate Investor: Seller Financing, STR Markets, & Lowball Offers Rookie to Real Estate Investor: House Offer Accepted! Now What? Connect with Brandon, Lawrence and Melanie: Brandon's BiggerPockets Profile Brandon's Instagram Lawrence's BiggerPockets Profile Lawrence's Instagram Melanie's BiggerPockets Profile Melanie's LinkedIn Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-269 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

Does seller financing apply to down payments? What happens when you buy a rental with squatters who refuse to leave? And is getting your real estate license even worth it? The world of real estate investing isn’t always as cut and dried as it seems, but running a profitable portfolio doesn’t need to be a massive headache. In this Rookie Reply episode, we’ll go through the common pain points that rookie landlords are dealing with and shed light on some frequently asked questions only experienced investors (like Ashley and Tony) have the knowledge to answer. If you’ve ever wondered what a property survey is or if you should charge a cleaning fee to your tenants, stick around! This time, Ashley and Tony will answer when you do (and don’t) need a property survey on your latest rental property purchase. From there, they debate the pros and cons of getting your real estate license (becoming an agent) as a rookie investor. We also touch on the ever-fun topic of what to do when non-leased tenants won’t leave your property, how to seller finance a down payment, and whether or not charging a “cleaning fee” at move-in is a wise idea. If you want Ashley and Tony to answer a real estate question, you can post in the Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group! Or, call us at the Rookie Request Line (1-888-5-ROOKIE). In This Episode We Cover Is getting your real estate license worth it, and the ongoing cost of becoming an agent Property surveys explained and why knowing your rental’s boundaries can be crucial Inherited tenants, squatters, and how to evict tenants who don’t have a lease Seller financing a down payment and how to close on your property with $0 out of pocket Cleaning fees, inspection checklists, and everything your tenants need to keep your property in perfect shape And So Much More! Links from the Show Find an Investor-Friendly Real Estate Agent Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group Real Estate Rookie Podcast Airstream Real Estate Rookie Youtube Channel LandGlide OnX Hunt MLS Connect with Ashley and Tony: Ashley's BiggerPockets Profile Ashley's Instagram Tony's BiggerPockets Profile Tony's Instagram Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-268 Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Twenty-four rental units in two years! It’s possible, but only if you’re using the same principles that today’s guest has employed. With house hacking, HELOCs, the 80/20 rule, and a few more strategic investing moves, you too could fast-track your path to financial freedom. If you want to build your dream real estate portfolio without sacrificing decades in the process, these strategies will help you do it! For Andrew Freed, a full-time project manager, real estate agent, and investor, these strategies have been life-changing. And even if you’re still a real estate rookie, you can do exactly what Andrew did to reach the same results. Thankfully, Andrew’s investing methods, tips, and tricks are well-rounded, well-developed, and easy to follow. In this episode, Andrew walks us through how he managed to buy twenty-four units in two years, the moment the gears started turning in his mind, his personal development process, and the key principle that keeps him focused on his goals. Andrew also gives us his best advice for predicting and preventing problems in your rental properties, stabilizing, and raising the rent. From gaining the confidence to get started to finding investment partners, he offers valuable, step-by-step guidance we can all learn from. In This Episode We Cover The 80/20 principle and using it to cut out the unnecessary when investing How focusing on personal development first can make you a better investor Staying focused and getting to your goals faster How to manage your rentals while working a full-time job The key to gaining confidence and going after your dreams The fastest ways to grow and scale your investment portfolio Tips for predicting and preventing problems and stabilizing rental properties Employing the "binder method" to set rent with inherited tenants Using real estate meetups to find mentors and investment partners And So Much More! Links from the Show Find an Investor-Friendly Real Estate Agent Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram Airbnb Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group Real Estate Rookie Podcast The Real Estate Podcast MLS BiggerPockets apartments.com BiggerPockets Forums Real Estate Rookie Youtube Channel Simple Steps to Start, Scale, and Grow a Real Estate Business in 2023 The Rookie’s Guide to 2023 Goal Setting: How to Achieve HUGE Goals This Year Books Mentioned in This Episode: Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy Connect with Andrew: Andrew's BiggerPockets Profile Andrew's LinkedIn Andrew's Instagram Andrew's Facebook Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-267 Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you live in a high-cost-of-living area, a house hack could solve many of your money-related problems. Sharing your living space isn’t always easy, but with a few simple tricks, you can make it more than worth your while. From subsidizing your cost of living to generating cash flow while you’re still staying at the property, house hacking has some almost unbelievable benefits that ANY investor can capitalize on. And Ashley and Tony have some great tips to share! Welcome back to this week’s Rookie Reply! Whether you’re a homeowner, landlord, or both, you’ll want to hear our hosts’ tips for preventing frozen pipes and what to do when it happens anyway. We also explore unpermitted rental property renovations, the nuances of buying properties that are for sale by owner (FSBO properties), and when and why to use electronic keypad door locks. You’ll even learn how to find the lender on ANY property in the nation the next time you plan a creative real estate deal! If you want Ashley and Tony to answer a real estate question, you can post in the Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group! Or, call us at the Rookie Request Line (1-888-5-ROOKIE). In This Episode We Cover Living for free, generating cash flow, and the HUGE benefit of house hacking Why unpermitted renovations aren’t always deal breakers Winterizing your rental or primary residence (and keeping your pipes safe!)  How a for sale by owner (FSBO) purchase differs from a regular realtor deal The benefits and limitations of smart-home technology  How to find the lender of ANY property in your area And So Much More! Links from the Show Find an Investor-Friendly Real Estate Agent Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group Real Estate Rookie Podcast Making $90K/Year with Just ONE Rental by Combining Compassion and Cash Flow BiggerPockets instagram BiggerPockets BiggerPockets Bootcamps Airbnb RemoteLock PropStream Books Mentioned in this Show: Real Estate Rookie: 90 Days to Your First Investment by Ashley Kehr The House Hacking Strategy by Craig Curelop Connect with Ashley and Tony: Ashley's BiggerPockets Profile Ashley's Instagram Tony's BiggerPockets Profile Tony's Instagram Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-266 Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Investing in sober living facilities may not be the first thing that comes to mind when we talk about building a real estate portfolio. But if you knew how much they made, you might take a second look. We often focus on short-term rentals, long-term rentals, or fix-and-flip properties. But one of the best things about choosing real estate as an investment medium is its wide range and opportunities for creativity. People out there are house hacking, wholesaling, investing in mobile homes, and buying up parking lots. The options are truly endless. So, where do we start? Sometimes, the best real estate investments are the ones that mean something more to us than cash flow. Devana Came and Reid Stadelman saw a gap in their community, and they filled it. They turned their real estate investment into a sober living facility to help people in recovery, and gave them a safe, structured place to stay while earning (mostly) passive income and building their investment portfolio. In this episode, this husband and wife dynamic duo tells us all about their creative real estate investments that cash flow like nothing else. We talk about what a sober living facility is (hint: it’s not a rehab center), how and why they built theirs, how to find and screen tenants, and tips for reducing tenant turnover rates. These things don’t just apply to sober living facilities. Devana and Reid offer advice that applies to any real estate investment journey. In This Episode We Cover How to turn an investment property into a sober living facility Finding and screening tenants Easy ways to keep your turnover rate low Managing an investment property with a waiting list Choosing a property that fits your needs and investment goals Investing for cash flow and your community Resources for starting a sober living facility or domestic violence shelter And So Much More! Links from the Show Find an Investor-Friendly Real Estate Agent Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram Airbnb AirDNA Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group Real Estate Rookie Podcast The Real Estate Podcast The National Alliance of Recovery Residences House of Ruth MLS Connect with Devana and Reid: Devana's Email: devana@thehappyhost.net or devana@thehouseofcourage.com Devana's Instagram: devana@thehouseofcourage.com or @beeorganicmama Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-265 Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Weighing the costs and benefits of building versus buying rental properties? You’re not alone! When property prices go up, it makes sense that most of us start looking for loopholes. But the cost is only one thing to consider when it comes to real estate investing. Thankfully, Ashley and Tony have some tips for deciding which way to go. Welcome back to this week’s Rookie Reply! If you’ve ever considered building an investment property or buying a new construction, you’ll want to hear what our hosts have to say. We also touch on whether or not your attorney’s location matters when you’re investing out of state, and how to qualify for capital gains exemptions. Last but not least, we dig into the differences between W2 income and rental income when it comes to taxes, and why one is so much better than the other! If you want Ashley and Tony to answer a real estate question, you can post in the Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group! Or, call us at the Rookie Request Line (1-888-5-ROOKIE). In This Episode We Cover When your attorney’s location might matter and investing from afar Protecting yourself with partnership agreements in joint venture investing The pros and cons of building an investment property instead of rehabbing one How new construction properties can affect the refi seasoning period Maximizing your taxes with passive income  Why moving every two years may be the smartest way to avoid taxes Using a 1031 exchange to defer paying capital gains taxes   And So Much More! Links from the Show Find an Investor-Friendly Real Estate Agent Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group Real Estate Rookie Podcast How to (Legally) Avoid Taxes by Investing in Real Estate 10 Income Streams on 1 Property by “Land Hacking” w/ Kai Andrew Rookie Reply: Can You Put Offers on Multiple Houses? How an “I Don’t Want to Invest” Couple Became Successful Long-Distance Landlords with Annie and Trey Johnson Connect with Ashley and Tony: Ashley's BiggerPockets Profile Ashley's Instagram Tony's BiggerPockets Profile Tony's Instagram Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-264 Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Offer accepted! Now what? As a rookie real estate investor, it can be anxiety-inducing to hear that a seller accepts your house offer. You’ve been working so hard to get up to this point, and now, you’re one step closer to closing on your first rental property. But what happens next? Are there steps that you should be following? And what should you be doing in the meantime as your closing date starts to creep closer and closer? If you’re in this situation (or are about to be), stick around! We’re back with our “Rookie to Real Estate Investor in 90 Days” series, as our mentees join us for some exciting news. Last time around, much of the advice from Ashley and Tony was “make more offers!” Well, the mentees have delivered, so much so that one of our rookies already has a house under contract just a month or so after starting this series! We first talk to Melanie, who began submitting short-term rental offers in Savannah, Georgia. She’s got some solid takeaways but is having trouble finding someone who will accept seller financing. Next, Brandon hops on as the first rookie to get a property under contract! With only a few offers sent out, Brandon has already agreed with a seller on terms but has questions about when to get a home inspection and whether title insurance is worth it. Finally, Lawrence joins us with a copy of Ashley’s newest book, Real Estate Rookie: 90 Days to Your First Investment. Lawrence has been making aggressive offers but couldn’t match a seller’s counteroffer with high-interest rate financing terms. All our rookies are inches away from getting their first (or next) rental property, and this could be the most pivotal point! In This Episode We Cover How to make an aggressive offer on a house and negotiating with a seller Short-term rental data and how to use tools like AirDNA to find occupancy rates What to do once you’re under contract for a new rental property Home inspections and when it’s worth waiving one (plus when you DEFINITELY should get one done) Title insurance vs. an attorney's opinion and which one is a better bet Seller financing and how to find the perfect terms a seller will accept How to target motivated sellers to find better real estate deals at lower prices And So Much More! Links from the Show Find an Investor-Friendly Real Estate Agent Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram Airbnb AirDNA BiggerPockets Rental Property Calculator Data.rabbu PriceLabs Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group Real Estate Rookie Podcast Connect with Brandon, Lawrence and Melanie: Brandon's BiggerPockets Profile Brandon's Instagram Lawrence's BiggerPockets Profile Lawrence's Instagram Melanie's BiggerPockets Profile Melanie's LinkedIn Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-263 Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You want to build a real estate portfolio, but you might not even own a single rental property yet! So how do you go from onlooker to investor and finally become financially free through real estate investing? Start with the end in mind! So many rookie real estate investors envision a dream life with cash-flowing rentals and little to no stress, only to realize the landlord life is a LOT different than social media makes it seem. To grow a passive real estate portfolio, you need to do something different. David Greene, host of the BiggerPockets Real Estate Podcast, knows exactly what that is. David went from cop to top-producing real estate agent, investor, broker, and host of the world’s most recognized real estate investing podcast. He knows what it feels like to have a big portfolio and all the pain points that come with it. For the rookie investors, David wants to make sure you don’t make the same mistakes he did. Scaling your portfolio incorrectly could force you into yet another job, NOT the financial independence you’re looking for. In his new book, SCALE: A Successful Agent’s Guide to Leveling Up Their Real Estate Business, David outlines EXACTLY what you must do to build a business, NOT a landlord nightmare. In this episode, he’ll give you everything you need to know about picking the right area and property, why appreciation often beats cash flow, knowing “the number” to offer, and how you can outsource your work to live the life you love! Pre-Order SCALE now, and use code “SCALE262” for 10% off at checkout! In This Episode We Cover How David Greene went from stressed-out cop to financially-free investor  How to build a business, NOT a job that will take time out of your day What to look for when researching an investing area and whether cash flow markets are worth it Knowing the “efficiency” of a deal and how it can make you MUCH wealthier The “long-term outlook” David uses when analyzing ANY real estate deal How to use “leverage” to work less, earn more, and build a better business Why buying the most real estate possible IS NOT a good option for investors And So Much More! Links from the Show Find an Investor-Friendly Real Estate Agent Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram Bankrate BiggerPockets BiggerPockets Bookstore Bluehost Dave Meyer's Instagram GoBundance GoDaddy Monday.com On the Market Podcast The Real Estate Rookie Podcast The 2023 State of Real Estate Investing Report Zillow Connect with David: David's BiggerPockets Profile David's Instagram Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-262 Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most people would assume ‘Love is Blind’ star Nancy Rodriguez built most of her wealth after appearing on the show. But most people would be wrong. For the past seven years, Nancy has been quietly building a cash-flowing rental property portfolio, allowing her to become debt-free, go full-time into real estate, and build generational wealth for her family. She started her journey with 0% down loans, worked her way up to short-term rentals, and is now buying properties in cash across the great state of Texas. Nancy grew up with limited financial education. Money wasn’t a topic that was often discussed but witnessing her parents work hard to obtain it taught her that wealth was worth attaining. After graduating from college, she was strapped with six figures in student debt, prompting her to become a debt-free Dave Ramsey disciple. But, as she paid off her debt, the fear of leverage fell away, allowing her to pick up property number one with a 0% down payment. From there, she piled her money into properties, buying as many “ugly” homes as possible and turning them into worthwhile stays. She’s dealt with burnt interiors, squatters, and bad contractors, but nothing has stopped her from achieving the financial freedom she sought. Now in the limelight, Nancy is trying to help others do the same. So if you want to repeat Nancy’s system without going on reality TV, tune into this episode! In This Episode We Cover Paying off six figures of student debt and buying your first property with 0% down The first-time homeowner program that requires no cash, no credit, and offers the BEST interest rates around How to deal with squatters and a win-win solution that every landlord should try Building your financial education and using side hustles to fund your property purchases Short-term rental investing and using it to get high cash flow in today’s tough market Buying rentals in cash and when it makes sense to decline debt Generational wealth and using a small rental property portfolio to boost your family’s opportunities And So Much More! Links from the Show Find an Investor-Friendly Real Estate Agent Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram Airbnb BiggerPockets Expensify Finance Friday: How to Start Investing After Becoming Debt-Free Furnished Finder NACA Pace Morby's Instagram Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group The Real Estate Podcast Vrbo Connect with Nancy: Nancy's Instagram Nancy's Tiktok Nancy's Youtube Channel Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-261 Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When can you refinance your home? How do you avoid taxes when selling a property? And is there a legal limit on when you can raise rent? Unfortunately, for most new investors, many of these questions don’t come with a straight answer. And when talking about taxes, even experienced investors like Ashley and Tony can’t give advice. So, we brought back Amanda Han, CPA and real estate investor, to provide us with the facts about tax benefits, trusts, and how to pay less when you sell a property. But before that, Ashley and Tony will share their experiences on raising rent, seasoning periods when refinancing, and why you should always talk to a lender before you buy. Many of these topics, such as taxes, refinances, and raising rents, come with pitfalls that a beginner property investor WON’T know about. So stick around because this episode could save you a TON of trouble on your next purchase, refinance, or sale! If you want Ashley and Tony to answer a real estate question, you can post in the Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group! Or, call us at the Rookie Request Line (1-888-5-ROOKIE). In This Episode We Cover When you can refinance your home and “seasoning periods” explained When you’re legally allowed to raise rents and how to make adjustments to your lease Passing down rental properties and how to do so without triggering significant tax events Rent-to-own vs. seller financing and using these strategies to avoid taxes on a sale The “lazy” 1031 exchange and how to offset your capital gains tax with paper losses And So Much More! Links from the Show Find an Investor-Friendly Real Estate Agent Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group How to (Legally) Avoid Taxes by Investing in Real Estate The Real Estate Podcast Airbnb Connect with Amanda: Amanda's BiggerPockets Profile Amanda's Instagram Amanda's Website Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-260 Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you’re ready to invest in real estate but don’t have the money readily available, that can feel like a full-stop roadblock. But there are ways around your down payment doubt. With thoughtful market research and a bit of creativity when it comes to your financing, you can gain confidence and get started. These are two of the key components of Pooja Jindal’s investing method. After her primary residence became a long-term rental property, she caught the bug and bought another property, and then another, and several more after that. Over the years, Pooja developed a system that helps her choose, evaluate, and invest with confidence and clarity. In this episode, Pooja covers everything you need to know to stop stalling and start investing. She highlights the importance of building a community, different ways to do the money math, managing rental properties from a distance, staying motivated and setting investing goals, and getting creative when traditional financing isn’t enough. Whether you’re searching for your primary residence, a second home, or an investment property for short or long-term rentals, Pooja’s advice will help kick-start your real estate journey. In This Episode We Cover How data analysis can help you gain confidence and get started The importance of building a community and learning about the process When you may want to consider expenses before cash flow How to get creative and come up with a down payment Why Pooja prioritizes long-term, generational wealth over current passive income Using property management software for tenant screenings, applications, and more An app that can help with short-term rental data analysis And So Much More! Links from the Show Find an Investor-Friendly Real Estate Agent Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram AirDNA Avail BiggerPockets MLS On The Market Podcast Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group Redfin Seeing Greene: How to Get Around High Down Payment Requirements The Real Estate Rookie Podcast The Real Estate Podcast Trulia Zillow Connect with Pooja: Pooja's BiggerPockets Profile Pooja's Instagram Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-259 Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You stumble across the perfect rental property, but you don’t know who owns it. So what do you do? Walk up the door and present an offer? Ask the neighbors? Or, is there a better way to do some sneaky searching that could land you the perfect off-market real estate deal? The rookies want to know, and on this Rookie Reply, we’ll get into EXACTLY how to do this, even if you’re starting without much money! We’re back for one of our last live Rookie Reply episodes! This time, we’re touching on questions about finding off-market property information, what to include in your direct mail letters, and why a home wouldn’t qualify for a mortgage. We’ll also hit on commonly asked title questions and whether or not you can buy real estate while underwater on another mortgage. So, if you’re trying to get your next deal off-market, this is the perfect episode to listen to a few times through! If you want Ashley and Tony to answer a real estate question, you can post in the Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group! Or, call us at the Rookie Request Line (1-888-5-ROOKIE). In This Episode We Cover How to find property owner information for free and skip tracing services to try Why you should NEVER put your offer on a direct mail letter Why a home won’t qualify for a mortgage and what to do if you can’t get funding Title insurance and whether or not it’s really necessary when buying a rental property Why you ALWAYS need a property inspection when purchasing a new home Underwater mortgages and whether or not you can buy property if you have one And So Much More! Links from the Show Find an Investor-Friendly Real Estate Agent BiggerPockets BiggerPockets Pro Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group BiggerPockets Forums BiggerPockets Events Invelo PropStream Whitepages Bret Daniels' Youtube Channel Max Maxwell's Youtube Channel Nate Robbins' Instagram Connect with Ashley and Tony: Ashley's BiggerPockets Profile Ashley's Instagram Tony's BiggerPockets Profile Tony's Instagram Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-258 Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The “Rookie to Real Estate Investor in 90 Days” series is back, and we’re checking in with three mentees as they go from newbies to high-net-worth through real estate! Our mentees have been busy over the past couple of weeks, so Ashley and Tony dropped in on them to see how their rental property progress was going. They touch on how to make a lowball offer, pushing past the fear of getting an offer accepted, where to find motivated sellers, short-term rental markets, and seller financing Q&As. First up, Brandon joins us as the newest real estate rookie on the show. He’s yet to get his first deal done and is still looking to buy a property, but he’s finding that the price isn’t matching his profits. Ashley and Tony walk Brandon through how to make a lowball offer and why you should always submit a price that works for your numbers. Next, Lawrence shares how he’s been on the hunt for a seller-financed deal and is looking into new ways to find motivated sellers more likely to sell at a discount or with flexible terms. Finally, we hear from Melanie, who had a bit of property panic as she searched for more short-term rental markets to add to her list. After some research, she’s settled on a solid one and is currently looking for properties to make offers on. Her only question is how and why she should go for seller financing. Ashley and Tony give her all the details you’d need before going into a direct deal with the seller. In This Episode We Cover How to make a lowball offer and why your price point should always reflect your profits What to do when two offers get accepted (and how to fund both deals) Seller financing 101 and why (and why not) it’s worth pursuing for an investor How to find motivated sellers in your market by looking through the MLS Why you should ALWAYS send in offers (even if they seem unrealistic) Short-term rental markets and how to measure lead time when looking for deals Promissory notes, how they work, and risks/benefits of signing one with a seller And So Much More! Links from the Show Find an Investor-Friendly Real Estate Agent Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram Airbnb AirDNA BiggerPockets Calculator BiggerPockets Forums Google Drive LandWatch MLS PropStream PriceLabs Rabbu Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group Rookie to Real Estate Investor in 90 Days: LIVE Mentorship Calls Zillow   Connect with Brandon, Lawrence and Melanie: Brandon's BiggerPockets Profile Brandon's Instagram Lawrence's BiggerPockets Profile Lawrence's Instagram Melanie's BiggerPockets Profile Melanie's LinkedIn Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-257 Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Escaping the rat race at 26 isn’t easy, but Isaac Lane, Arizona-based investor and rookie landlord, is doing it through out-of-state investing! Isaac started investing only a couple of years ago, but he’s been scaling quickly as he purchased five rentals in his first year of investing alone. Now, he balances his time between working his day job as an engineer for a commercial real estate firm and managing his properties that are multiple states away! Welcome back to another Rookie Reply, where Isaac is helping us answer some common property management questions. He gives advice on how to start investing out of state and where to begin building your real estate team. And for those who still haven’t done their first deal yet, Isaac talks about property management, maintenance requests, inherited tenants, smart devices, landlord insurance, and why you ALWAYS change your locks during a tenant turnover. If you want Ashley and Tony to answer a real estate question, you can post in the Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group! Or, call us at the Rookie Request Line (1-888-5-ROOKIE). In This Episode We Cover How to start escaping the rat race through real estate investing (even at a young age) Long-distance real estate investing and the team you need to succeed from afar How property managers handle maintenance and why you should ask for pictures on every repair What to do when you inherit tenants and whether or not they should re-apply for your rental Landlord vs. homeowners insurance and why tenants should always have a renter’s policy When to change locks on a unit and the big key-code mistake Tony made on his short-term rental And So Much More! Links from the Show Find an Investor-Friendly Real Estate Agent Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram BiggerPockets Pro Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group BiggerPockets Bootcamps BiggerPockets Forums RentRedi Builduim Appfolio LandlordLocks Connect with Isaac: Isaac's BiggerPockets Profile Isaac's Instagram Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-256 Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Everyone wants to know how the rich avoid taxes. You hear about it on the news, “billionaire pays zero dollars in taxes this year,” or “this real estate tycoon made millions but gets a tax refund!” This can seem like blatant tax abuse for those not in the investing game. Why do some people get to pay no taxes while others are stuck with a sky-high return just for working their W2 job? The answer lies in the assets you invest in. Real estate investing is one of the most tax-advantaged assets around. As a real estate investor, you can almost automatically count on lower income taxes while making more money. Don’t believe us? We brought Amanda Han, CPA to top investors, on the show to explain how investors avoid taxes while still striking it rich in real estate. Amanda understands the ins and outs of the tax code, and as a real estate investor, she benefits from knowing real estate write-offs and deductions better than the rest! On today’s show, Amanda will walk through the top real estate tax deductions and how rookie real estate investors can start paying less in taxes. She’ll also explain real estate professional status (REPS) and using it to lower your taxable income and how to find the perfect tax advisor for you and your properties. If you want to start using the same strategies that the wealthy use to avoid taxes, this is the episode to tune into! In This Episode We Cover The biggest real estate tax deductions and some that many investors often miss Depreciation explained and how this paper loss can help you keep your passive income The best tax strategies for investors trying to minimize their taxable W2 income How to find the right tax advisor and what they MUST know about real estate Tracking expenses and making it easy on yourself during tax time LLCs for rental properties and whether you even need one in the first place And So Much More! Links from the Show Find an Investor-Friendly Real Estate Agent Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram BiggerPockets Pro Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group Stessa Quickbooks BiggerPockets Bookstore REPStracker Google Sheets MileIQ Zapier Connect with Amanda: Amanda's BiggerPockets Profile Amanda's Instagram Amanda's Website Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-255 Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Need to know whether flipping vs. renting makes more sense for your market? Don’t know if you can put offers on multiple houses simultaneously? Itching to hear how your flipping profits will affect your financeability on your next property? We’ve got time-tested real estate experts here to help you out! As always, Ashley and Tony are here to host this week’s Rookie Reply, but we’re also joined by Jake Kain, Arizona investor and agent who left the W2 life to start building a rental property and live in flip empire! Jake lends a helping hand in answering this week’s questions but also shares his own story about following your fire, starting a community, and how to become the “quarterback” of any real estate meetup. He’s expanded his network at lightning speed, allowing him to grow his portfolio to five units, all while flipping his own primary residences along the way. Jake helps answer questions about making offers on multiple houses, flipping vs. renting, how your DTI (debt-to-income ratio) could be impacted when house flipping, and where to find general contractors who will show up on time! If you want Ashley and Tony to answer a real estate question, you can post in the Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group! Or, call us at the Rookie Request Line (1-888-5-ROOKIE). In This Episode We Cover Starting your own real estate meetup and how it makes you the most popular person in the room Leaving your nine-to-five to invest in real estate and becoming a real estate agent Debt-to-income ratios and whether or not selling a fixer-upper could help or hurt yours The art of making offers on multiple houses and what to do if they all accept Flipping vs. renting and why different real estate markets require different strategies How to find contractors for home renovations and why the quickest workers are rarely the best And So Much More! Links from the Show Find an Investor-Friendly Real Estate Agent Ashley's Instagram Tony's Instagram BiggerPockets Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group BiggerPockets Forums BiggerPockets Bootcamp Alpha Geek Capital Facebook Groups Connect with Jake: Jake's BiggerPockets Profile Jake's Instagram Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-254 Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices