Real Estate Rookie

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

These two college teammates built a sizable real estate portfolio in just three years by using what they call the “delayed BRRRR strategy.” They’ve used this specific real estate investing tactic (and the regular BRRRR strategy) to turn one duplex into more than a dozen rental properties for their portfolio. They didn’t start with a ton of money and only got into investing together in 2021 when housing competition was high, and rates were soon to rise sharply. So, how does their strategy work, and how can YOU use it to buy more rental properties? In this episode, these innovative investors, Joe Escamilla and Sam Farman, talk about why it’s CRUCIAL to have great real estate investing partners and how choosing the right one can be the rocket fuel you need to build a financial freedom-enabling rental property portfolio. They share the new “BRRRR” strategy (buy, rehab, rent, refinance, repeat) they’re using to get steady real estate cash flow AND boost their equity at the same time.  We’ll also talk about raising private capital and creating your own real estate syndication so you can buy more real estate using other people’s money and pass along the returns to your investors. Joe and Sam have built a real estate portfolio most investors can only dream of achieving, and they did it all in only three years, during high rates, and while working full-time jobs. Stick around to hear how you can do it, too!  In This Episode We Cover: The new-and-improved “BRRRR” strategy that lets you “recycle” your money  Signs of a perfect real estate partner and why getting this right is CRUCIAL for growth  Cash-out refinancing to reinvest in real estate and grow your portfolio faster  Why you DON’T want to sit on the sidelines while rates are high and competition is low Syndications and how to raise money for your next real estate deal  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 Rich Dad Poor Dad Try REsimpli, The Only All-In-One Real Estate Investor CRM Software That Helps You Manage Data, Marketing, Sales, and Operations Grab the Book on the “BRRRR” Strategy Sign Up for the Real Estate Rookie Newsletter Find Investor-Friendly Lenders The Beginner’s Guide to “Infinite Investing” with the BRRRR Method Connect with Joe Connect with Sam Connect with Dave (00:00) Intro (01:01) The Perfect Partnership? (03:35) First Duplex in 2021 (11:09) This Works WITH High Rates (15:56) Using Other People’s Money (29:59) The New 2025 “BRRRR” Strategy (27:51) Who Does What? Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-530 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

Where should YOU invest in 2025? Stay tuned because we’re going to share our top seven real estate markets for buying rental properties this year. We’ll tell you why we like them, why they’re growing, and whether it’s worth moving there to invest! Welcome back to another Rookie Reply! Today, Ashley and guest cohost Garrett Brown are answering recent questions from new investors just like you. Do you feel behind in your real estate investing journey compared to other investors? You can’t believe everything you see on social media, BUT if you have big plans to grow your real estate portfolio, we’ll show you some of the secrets to scaling! Next, we’ll dive into our favorite markets in 2025. Whether you’re investing in long-term rentals or short-term rentals, we have beginner-friendly options for all strategies. Finally, we’ll break down a real estate deal an investor is working on and steer them in the right direction! Looking to invest? Need answers? Ask your question here! In This Episode We Cover: The top seven real estate markets we’re investing in this year The secret to scaling your real estate portfolio (without a ton of money!) How to buy an investment property without a 25% down payment Discovering profitable short-term rentals using the 20% revenue rule Why stabilizing your properties is more important than buying more Why you should always choose your investing strategy before buying property 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 Rental Property Calculator BiggerPockets Market Analysis Template BiggerPockets Top Investment Housing Markets for 2025 BiggerPockets Buy Box Checklist BiggerPockets How to Pick a Short-Term Rental Market Guide BiggerStays YouTube Channel AirDNA Navigate The 2025 Tax Season with an Investor-Friendly Tax Expert Ask Your Question for a Future Rookie Reply Grab the Book “Smarter Short-Term Rentals” Sign Up for the Real Estate Rookie Newsletter Find Investor-Friendly Lenders Real Estate Rookie 473 - Moving 1,500 Miles Away to Buy His First Rental with Just $25,000 Connect with Garrett (00:00) Intro (00:38) The Secret to Scaling (12:12) 7 Best Real Estate Markets (23:37) Property Analysis 101 (32:59) Connect with Garrett! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-529 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

There are all kinds of “hidden” real estate deals floating around, and if you take action in this housing market, you could beat everyone else to them—even if you’re new to real estate investing. Today’s guest used this tactic to buy 250 rental units in just FIVE years, and she’s about to share it with you! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Off the back of her new book, Smarter Short-Term Rentals, Avery Carl joins the show to teach YOU how to find “hidden” deals that turn into profitable vacation rentals. If you look closely, real estate listings are riddled with errors that could help you buy a rental property well below market value. A few of these properties could give you financial freedom, and in this episode, Avery will show you exactly which “clues” to look for! You’ll also learn how to choose an Airbnb market and why investing in a saturated area is a better bet than trailblazing in an unproven market. But that’s not all. Avery will shed light on “over-amenitization” and show you how to make your short-term rental pop with smart furniture and décor choices instead! In This Episode We Cover: Why the 2025 housing market is the perfect playground for new investors The biggest opportunities and challenges new investors face in 2025 Listing “clues” that could tip you off to an undervalued property Creative ways to make your short-term rental stand out in any market The number one mistake investors make when analyzing a rental property Telltale signs that it’s time to sell your investment property The BEST Airbnb markets to invest in right now (and which ones to avoid!) 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 AirDNA PriceLabs Rabbu Buy Avery’s New Book “Smarter Short-Term Rentals" Sign Up for the Real Estate Rookie Newsletter Find an Investor-Friendly Agent in Your Area Real Estate Rookie 429 - The Investing “Map” You NEED to Uncover Hot Markets, Neighborhoods, & Deals Connect with Avery (00:00) Intro (00:43) Making “Low” Offers (04:18) Common Listing “Clues” (08:28) Picking Airbnb Markets (17:19) How to Stand Out (22:38) When to Exit a Property (28:47) Markets to Avoid (32:34) BEST Markets in 2025 (34:43) Connect with Avery! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-528 Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you want to get into real estate but fear you’re too late to the party? This middle-aged, middle-class couple thought so, too. Instead, they discovered a strategy that helped them fast-track their financial goals, bringing them to six rental properties and over $75,000 in annual cash flow! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Brianne and Doug Hamilton didn’t want to rely on their W2 jobs for their financial security, so like many, they turned to real estate investing. In just a few years, they have scaled to six properties and built two real estate businesses. They’re on the path to financial independence, even though they started in their late 30s. If they can do it, YOU can, too! As you’re about to hear, Brianne and Doug have done it all. They’ve launched vacation rentals. They’ve bought properties with other people’s money (OPM). They’ve even cohosted and managed properties for other investors. But their secret to snowballing one rental property into six? The BRRRR method (buy, rehab, rent, refinance, repeat). Stick around to learn more about this strategy and copy the Hamiltons’ success, no matter what stage of life you’re in! In This Episode We Cover: Snowballing to six properties and over $75,000 in annual cash flow Scaling with the BRRRR method (buy, rehab, rent, refinance, repeat) The power of networking when you’re just starting your investing journey Choosing an investing strategy that aligns with your goals, skills, and passions How to buy a rental property using other people’s money (OPM) Tips and tricks for increasing your short-term rental bookings 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 Brianne & Doug’s Instagram Buy the Book “Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat” Sign Up for the Real Estate Rookie Newsletter Find Investor-Friendly Lenders What Is the BRRRR Method & How to Use It to Invest in Real Estate Connect with Brianne (00:00) Intro (00:45) Why Real Estate Investing? (03:36) Buying the First Property (08:52) “Diversifying” with Vacation Rentals (16:31) Using Other People’s Money (22:08) How to Increase Bookings (31:10) Brianne & Doug’s Portfolio (34:35) Connect with Brianne & Doug! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-527 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 invest in real estate or stocks in 2025? What if you DON’T have to choose? Today, we’ll share how you can have the best of both worlds with strategies you’ve probably never heard about! Welcome back to another Rookie Reply! Today, Ashley and guest cohost Mindy Jensen are answering more of your recent questions. First, what’s the best way to build credit so you can qualify for a mortgage? We’ll debate the legitimacy of credit repair companies and provide some crucial tips for raising your credit score. Next, we’ll not only settle the real estate versus stocks debate but also show you some of the best ways to invest in both! Finally, sometimes deals go south, but this is why you need to have multiple investing strategies up your sleeve. We’ll get creative and help an investor get out of a sticky situation! Looking to invest? Need answers? Ask your question here!   In This Episode We Cover: Whether you should invest in real estate or the stock market in 2025 Leveraging your brokerage and retirement accounts to buy a rental property The five factors that make up your credit score (and steps to improve them!) The BEST financing options for those with less-than-perfect credit Why you must have multiple exit strategies for your investment property 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 Get Your Financial House in Order with an Investor-Friendly Financial Planner Ask Your Question for a Future Rookie Reply Buy the Book “Recession-Proof Real Estate Investing” Sign Up for the Real Estate Rookie Newsletter Find an Investor-Friendly Agent in Your Area Real Estate vs. Stocks: What 145 Years of Returns Tells Us Connect with Mindy   (00:00) Intro (00:37) Building Credit 101 (08:42) Real Estate vs. Stocks (23:16) Changing Your Strategy (30:38) Connect with Mindy! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-526 Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Want to learn the secret to snagging rentals below market value? Every successful investor has this one crucial skill, and it’s often the difference between getting the door shut in your face and coming away with a discounted property. Even rookies can learn this skill, and today, we’re bringing on a pro to show you how! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Today, we’re joined by J Scott, who delivers a masterclass on real estate negotiations with sellers, agents, contractors, vendors, and anyone else you encounter in your real estate investing journey. In this episode, J will show you the best way to sharpen your negotiation skills, the questions that will help you determine a seller’s motivation, and how to stand out to sellers in a competitive housing market. But that’s not all. If you’ve ever wondered where you should set your starting offer and how to get over your fear of insulting the seller with a “lowball” bid, J’s got the answers. Better yet, he’ll show you how to do this without creating any kind of animosity between you and the seller. In fact, he’ll share how you can do the exact opposite by building rapport and creating a win-win for both sides! In This Episode We Cover: Using the power of negotiation to buy rentals below market value The number one way to sharpen your real estate negotiation skills Crucial questions that will help you determine a seller’s motivation How to make your offer stand out (even in a competitive market) The two tactics you must master to become a successful negotiator How to avoid an adversarial relationship when entering negotiations Two telltale signs that it’s time to end negotiations with a seller 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 Get $100 Off Your Tickets to BPCON2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada Grab “The Book on Negotiating Real Estate” Sign Up for the Real Estate Rookie Newsletter Find an Investor-Friendly Agent in Your Area Building Rapport and Negotiating with Sellers for a Great Deal Connect with J PropStream (00:00) Intro (00:37) Negotiations 101 (04:24) Why Negotiation Matters (08:00) BEST Negotiating Tactics (15:45) How to Sharpen Your Skills (21:34) Making “Lowball” Offers (28:00) Questions to Ask Sellers (35:36) How to Stand Out in 2025 (38:24) When to End Negotiations (40:44) Connect with J! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-525 Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Buying sixteen rental units in one market?! Today’s guest has discovered the perfect investing strategy for newbies. You don’t need a ton of money or resources, and you can use it over and over to buy your first, second, third, or twentieth rental property. Tune in to find out what this secret strategy is and how to use it! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! After Seamus Nally’s brother showed him the off-campus housing model, they formed a four-way real estate investing partnership with other family members. Pooling their money helped them fast-track their first deal—a duplex they renovated and rented by the room. Before long, they had BRRRR’d (buy, rehab, rent, refinance, repeat) their way to sixteen units within the same neighborhood, which revitalized the entire community and forced HUGE appreciation across their real estate portfolio! In this episode, Seamus will show you how to combine the BRRRR strategy and partnerships to not only kickstart your investing journey but also scale your portfolio faster than you ever thought possible. Along the way, you’ll learn how to use home equity to fund more deals, find the best subcontractors for your home renovations, and more! In This Episode We Cover: The strategy Seamus used to scale to sixteen rental units in one market How to use the BRRRR method (buy, rehab, rent, refinance, repeat) Growing your real estate portfolio through the power of investing partnerships Crucial dos and don’ts when real estate investing with family members Buying rental properties faster by tapping into your home equity The value of building relationships with small banks and local credit unions Keeping high-quality tenants happy by focusing on customer service How to find (and keep!) the best subcontractors in any 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 TurboTenant Maximize Your Real Estate Investing with a Self-Directed IRA from Equity Trust Grab Your Early Bird Tickets to BPCON2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada Grab Our Book “Real Estate Partnerships” Sign Up for the Real Estate Rookie Newsletter Find Investor-Friendly Lenders Real Estate Rookie 486 - Quitting His Job with Real Estate After Cracking the Cash Flow Code Connect with Seamus (00:00) Intro (00:34) Seamus’ First Deal (06:34) The Power of Partnerships (10:20) Revitalizing a Neighborhood (18:03) How to Fund Multiple Deals (23:50) Scaling with the BRRRR Method (29:01) Sweat Equity & Finding Contractors (34:41) Self-Management Tips (36:52) Connect with Seamus! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-524 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