Real Estate Rookie

People think you need a dozen rental properties to achieve financial freedom. You don’t. Buy the right property in the right location, and it may only take one. Just ask Hana and Easton Jones, whose tiny back unit pays their entire mortgage and then some—allowing Hana to quit her W-2 job and live out her dream of being a stay-at-home mom!

Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Hana and Easton were a couple of 25-year-olds with regular jobs. How could they possibly afford real estate around Los Angeles? Driven by the dream of home...

The housing market looks very different than it did just a year or two ago. Home prices are softening, rates have eased slightly from the highs of 2023 and 2024, and sellers are more willing to negotiate than they've been in years. But rookie investors still want to know: Is 2026 actually the right time to buy?

Welcome back to another Rookie Reply! Today we’re answering three pressing questions from the BiggerPockets Forums. You just got your first rental property under contract–what’s the next step? Is out-of-state investing the answer to areas that don’t cash f...

When buying your first rental property, everyone gives you the same advice: play it safe, get a long-term tenant, and collect the rent. But that same house, run as an Airbnb, can often make two or three times the cash flow. So which investing strategy should you actually use for your first deal?

Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Today, we’re settling this debate once and for all: short-term rentals or long-term rentals? We both grabbed a real, middle-of-the-road property from our own portfolios, put them head to head, and broke do...

Your first rental property rarely comes from sitting back and waiting. It usually comes when you put yourself out there, talk to others about what you're building, and stay in the game long enough for the right moment to show up. That’s exactly what today’s guest did, and it led to a wild deal that kickstarted her real estate portfolio!

Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Stephanie Wagner spent nearly 20 years in a full-time job, putting her real estate dreams on hold through a marriage that wasn't working. Then, she used...

You've got very little savings, almost no credit history, and you want to buy a rental property. Most people would tell you to wait, but today, we’re giving you clear, actionable steps you can take toward getting that first property under contract!

Welcome back to another Rookie Reply! Today, we’re answering three questions that cover the anatomy of a first deal: where the money comes from, where the deal comes from, and what it will really cost you.

First, suppose you have no money or credit. Can you...

Don’t want to wait until 65 to retire? With a combination of rental properties and some of the other investments we’re covering on today’s show, you may not have to. Whether you’re starting from zero or diligently building your nest egg, use these eight steps to build a diversified portfolio and reach financial freedom much faster! 

Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Today Ashley and Tony are pulling back the curtain on their actual retirement plans—what they're doing, why they're doing it, and what they wish they'd known sooner. The...

What if the one thing stopping you from buying your first rental property isn’t money, or connections, but the belief that it’s just not possible for someone like you? Today’s guest is proof that with the right game plan, real estate investing offers a path that can set anyone free, including YOU, from the nine-to-five grind!

Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Crystal Lloyd didn't have connections, a trust fund, or a head start. What she had was a two-hour daily commute and a willingness to do what most people...

What if you could take the rental property you already own and make 2-3 times more? Whether you’re in the red, barely breaking even, or wanting more from your rentals, we’re showing you multiple ways to boost your cash flow!

Welcome back to another Rookie Reply! Today, we’re answering three questions from the BiggerPockets Forums that cover some of the most searched and most overlooked strategies in real estate investing right now. Is co-living actually realistic, and how do you pivot to the model without losing your mind? Don’t think you have...

What’s stopping you from buying your very first rental property? For most rookies, it’s rarely ever the market, the interest rates, or even the competition–it's a number in their head. Today, we’re breaking down that barrier with real rookie use cases that will inspire you to take that next step in your real estate investing journey!

Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! In this episode, we’re sharing three ways to fund real estate deals that have actually worked for past Rookie guests. None of these creative financing options re...

Not everyone gets into real estate investing when conditions are perfect. Some, like our next guest, get in because they have no other choice. The path Brent Beard was on just wasn’t cutting it anymore–especially when people were depending on him. If your back’s against the wall and you want to build a better life for your family, rental properties could be the answer!

Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Brent is a real estate agent in training and investor in the Kansas City area who bought his first duplex...

The property you spent months working on is about to lose you money. What should you do? Sell? Pivot? Invest for long enough and you’re bound to run into this scenario at some point. But not to worry—today, we’re showing you exactly what to do when things go south!

Welcome to another Rookie Reply! We’re back with three more questions from the BiggerPockets Forums. One investor is about to lose money flipping a house and needs a way out or a reason to stay in. Another is about to form a real e...

What if the best real estate investment isn’t the one with tenants, toilets, or employees, but the low-maintenance property everyone else is ignoring? Today’s guest is making thousands each month from one of these properties, and there are many more just like it. She’ll show you exactly how to find them!

Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Today we're sitting down with Bree Hartman, who went from one “accidental” rental property to building a $6 million self-storage portfolio–all while pregnant, working her W-2 job as a personal trainer, and cold calling...

At 31, James sat down at a kitchen table with his wife Aida, ran the numbers on the next 30 years, and didn't like what he saw—$200,000 in student loans and a retirement plan neither of them believed in. So they stopped waiting for a change, and built something instead.

Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Our guest, James Doren, and wife, Aida, didn't have a trust fund or an obvious path forward. They had a spreadsheet, a private money lender, and an empty space above their garage. This accessory dwelling unit (ADU) solution ad...

Do you need a real estate LLC, and should you form one before or after buying a rental property? This is a very common rookie question, and liability protection is one of the most misunderstood topics in real estate investing. But not to worry—today we’re setting the record straight and showing you how to build bulletproof protection for you and your assets!

Welcome back to another Rookie Reply! Does a rental property have to make positive cash flow for it to be considered a “good” deal? If you’re using the house hacking st...

Many rookies assume the best real estate deals are already listed on the market, but what if that’s not the case? The truth is, it’s getting harder and harder to find rental properties on the MLS that actually pencil out. Thankfully, there are dozens of ways to find profitable off-market properties that can make you more money, and today, we’re sharing our exact playbook!

Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! The term “off market” is thrown around as an easier way to buy real estate, but most rookies don’t actually k...

Real estate bookkeeping might not be the most thrilling part of owning a rental property, but it’s often the difference between bleeding money each month and earning cash flow you can count on. Today’s guest will show you exactly how to get your books in check so you can make your properties even more profitable!

Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Grace Wills is a CPA, a homeschooling mom, and a self-described “risk-averse” investor. So, when her husband suggested they buy an investment property back in 2018, she was skeptical. However, it didn’...

Thinking about self-managing your rental property? Then, you’ll need property management software to help with things like processing applications, collecting rent, and managing maintenance requests. In this episode, we’re sharing our favorite tools so you can pick the right one for your portfolio!

Welcome back to another Rookie Reply! There are dozens of property management tools floating around, but which ones are best for new landlords? Ashley breaks down the different categories of landlord software and shares four steps to finding the right option for you. Next, are regulations slowly killing the short-term renta...

Many rookies think things become easy once you’ve built a large real estate portfolio, but that’s far from true. Even with 26 short-term rentals, a 13-unit hotel, and a few house flips under his belt, Tony deals with many of the typical rookie challenges. In today’s episode, he’s sharing the lessons he’s learned and the rental pivots he’s making so YOU can grow and scale like him!

Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Last time we checked in with Tony about his real estate business, he was in the proce...

The real estate investing moves you make today could change your life. Those in their 40s, 50s, and 60s often look back and regret not starting sooner. Today’s guest isn’t letting that happen, and in this episode, she’ll show YOU how to take advantage when that next rental property comes your way!

Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! When Megan Chou’s father challenged her to read the personal finance classic, Rich Dad Poor Dad, little did she know it would completely alter her life’s trajectory. The book’s lessons on...

Do you have home equity sitting in your primary residence? You could use it to buy your first or next rental property! There are several ways to do this, and in today’s episode, we’re sharing them so you can make your money work harder!

Welcome back to another Rookie Reply! Whether it’s a home equity line of credit (HELOC) or a cash-out refinance, there are multiple ways to access the equity in your home. But which option is best? Stay tuned and we’ll help you determine the right move for your situation...

Struggling to find great real estate deals on the MLS? What if we told you some of the best rental properties are often found elsewhere? If you want better cash flow and bigger margins, you may need to start looking for off-market properties. Thankfully, today’s guest is an expert on these types of deals and will show YOU exactly how to find them!

Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! When Janelle Carlson first started investing in real estate several years ago, she would find properties like most new investors do—on the...

You don’t need a big market, huge salary, or even a college degree to invest in real estate. Today’s guest had a very simple goal when he started: replace his $12/hour construction job. He’s already achieved that, and today, he owns seven rental properties…and counting!

Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Nathan Shelby has dabbled in several investing strategies, from mobile home lots to fixer uppers. But he’s recently landed on a strategy that allows him to use the BRRRR method (buy, rehab, rent, refinance, repeat) on new constr...

Rental properties can give you cash flow, appreciation, and loan paydown from tenants. But tax benefits are often the unsung hero of real estate investing. Today, we’re sharing some of the best real estate tax strategies so you can keep more of your hard-earned money from Uncle Sam!

Welcome back to another Rookie Reply! Should you do a cost segregation study? Many investors use this tax strategy to accelerate depreciation and create massive paper losses, but what’s the catch? Stay tuned as we break down the potential pitfalls and everything you need to know...

Did you know that you could get a 3% mortgage rate on your next rental property?

With rates hovering around 6%-7%, this would shave hundreds of dollars off your monthly mortgage payment and save you a few hundred thousand dollars in total interest. That alone could flip a deal with negative cash flow into a profitable one.

But rates don’t appear to be coming down any time soon. So, how is this possible?

Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Today, we’re talk...

Fear your market is too competitive for you to stand out? Today’s guest bought her first rental property right before developers started buying up the land around her. Thankfully, she didn’t back down. Since then, her property has already climbed to the top 1% of Airbnb listings and now brings in over $10,000 a month!

Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Erin Robinson had always wanted to invest in real estate, but she didn’t just want another boring rental property. She wanted to build her own “luxury” stay—a private retreat that could d...

Should you pay off your mortgage early or buy more rental properties? The first option gives you peace of mind, while the other allows you to build wealth much faster. In this episode, we’re fleshing out both strategies so you can make the right choice!

Welcome back to another Rookie Reply! What’s better—a debt-free property or a larger real estate portfolio? The answer depends entirely on the investor, but we’ll help you determine the best path for you. As a new landlord, it’s only a matter of time before you’ll need to ma...

Rookies think they need millions to invest in commercial real estate, but that’s only a myth, and today’s guest is about to show you why. In this episode, we’re talking all about an asset that might sound big and scary but is actually much easier to buy than you probably think: self storage!

Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Cameron Barsanti has owned single-family homes, multifamily properties, and other assets. But his favorite? Self storage. These large metal boxes have no toilets, no tenants living on the property, and less m...

Don’t have enough time or money to invest in real estate? These are, by far, the two most common roadblocks for new investors. Today’s guest didn’t let them stop her. Instead, she used creative means to find and fund real estate deals without much free time or a big bank account. If you follow her blueprint, you’ll be able to do the same!

Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Beth Decler is a homeschooling mother of eight—yes, eight—children, but somehow, some way, she’s also making time for real...

Have some home equity built up in one or more of your rental properties? What should you do? Get a line of credit? Sell? You have more options than you think, and in this episode, we’ll help you crunch the numbers and weigh your options so you make the best possible decision!

Welcome to another Rookie Reply! There’s a property you want to buy. It’s affordable, it’s in a decent market, and it cash flows. Should you pull the trigger? Not so fast! Sometimes the property that looks like a steal is actual...

You want to buy a rental property, but there’s one problem: you don’t have the money! The good news? You’re not as far away as you probably think. If you want to save as much money as possible for a down payment, today’s guest will show you how. In just two years, she went from zero to building a strong financial foundation and taking down her first property!

Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! When Mimi Fall was laid off from her W-2 job, it was the last straw. I...

Had enough of the nine-to-five grind? Then it’s time to start engineering your exit with assets that will give you more time, flexibility, and financial freedom: rental properties. Today’s guest will show you how to replace your salary with cash flow and finally start living on your terms!

Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Jamie Trickett had the cozy, corner-office job most people dream of, but it wasn’t enough. With a three-hour daily commute on top of a 40+ hour workweek, she had very little time left for her boys. Someth...

Everyone keeps saying we’re in a “buyer’s market,” but if that’s true, where are all the real estate deals? It’s easy to get discouraged after hearing “no” after “no,” but in today’s episode, we’re sharing the secrets to landing off-market properties and overlooked rentals on the MLS!

Welcome to another Rookie Reply! Struggling to find real estate deals at the right price? Ashley and Tony will show you how to modify your approach and get your next rental property under contract much faster. Next, should you self-manage or hire a property manager? Each...

Tired of your rental properties making just $50 or $100 a month? What if you could squeeze several thousand dollars out of the same properties instead?

That’s exactly what today’s guest is doing—taking ordinary properties that you’d find on the MLS and turning them into money-making assets with one powerful investing strategy: residential assisted living. And in today’s episode, he’ll show YOU how to do the same!

Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Hans Stone has built a real estate business that brings in not $2,00...

You don’t need a huge savings account or even a ton of life experience to start investing in real estate. At just 18 years old, today’s guest used her entire life savings to buy her first real estate deal. It was just an empty parcel of land, but it ended up becoming a $120K home-run deal that catapulted her toward 10 more deals over the next six years!

Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Tiffany Da Silva had just graduated from high school when she decided to go (literally) all-in on real esta...

Need help estimating rehab costs? This is a huge unknown for many rookie investors. But not to worry—in this episode, we’ll show you how to do this as accurately as possible so you have fewer surprises once you’re under contract and it’s time to get your hands dirty!

Welcome to another Rookie Reply! If you’re stuck with a property that’s giving you negative cash flow, you have two choices: hold (and figure it out) or sell. The answer is more nuanced than you probably think, but we’ll point you in the righ...

Before you buy your first rental property, you’ll need to pick an investing strategy. Should you opt for the convenience of a turnkey rental property or swing for more upside with the BRRRR method (buy, rehab, rent, refinance, repeat)? We’ll help you make the right choice!

Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Today, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about turnkey real estate and value-add rental properties. To make sure we’re comparing apples to apples, we’ll use the same example property, crunch the numbers, and cover both...

Feel stuck in a career that’s slowly wearing you down? Rentals give everyday people a clear path to financial freedom and flexibility, but few take it. When today’s guest had finally reached his breaking point, he grabbed the opportunity with both hands, trading his W-2 job for real estate!

Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Brian Flint had his “dream job,” or so he thought. After two decades of mentally and physically demanding work, a traumatic work incident caused him to rethink what he wanted his life to look like over the...

Offer accepted! Congratulations—you’re well on your way to buying a rental property. But first, your earnest money deposit (EMD) is due. How much do you need to put down? What about due diligence fees? And what happens if the home inspection comes back with major issues? In today’s episode, we’ll show you what to pay and how to protect yourself!

Welcome to another Rookie Reply! Your earnest money deposit is often the first big financial commitment you’ll make to your investment property. Ashley and Tony show you how to navigate the process...

Don’t have enough cash for a down payment or enough income to qualify for a mortgage? You’re not alone—many rookies have been (or are) in your shoes. If money’s the one thing standing between you and your real estate investing goals, stay tuned, because we’re bringing you eight side hustles that could help you buy a rental property!

Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Today, we’re sharing our favorite side hustles to start alongside your nine-to-five job. We’re breaking down everything about these gigs, from the money, too...

If you could create a few income streams that gave you an extra $10,000, $20,000 or more per year, how would it change your life?

Today’s guest has made a habit of turning her liabilities into cash-flowing assets, using everything from normal rental properties to mobile home parks, campers, and trucks to make more money. Stay tuned, and she’ll show you how to do the same so you can reach your financial goals sooner!

Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! During her time in the Air Force, Kimb...