782 episodes
- Getting into an expensive market can feel completely out of reach for a rookie. But today’s guest looked at the numbers and realized that if he worked this in his favor, he could build reliable, long-term wealth. That math led him to 17 doors across three states, and today, he’s breaking down all his tips so you can start, and scale, too!
Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! In December 2009, Rick Albert was a broke college senior when he was introduced to a successful real estate investor. That meeting sent Rick down a path that started with an LA condo that many overlooked. He managed to see past the issues, and house hacked the unit with just 10% down.
That single deal became the foundation for everything: a HELOC that funded an ambitious ADU conversion, a renovation that took three times longer than planned, and eventually a portfolio spanning 17 units across 3 states, with his business partner.
Today Rick breaks down his advice on investing in high-cost markets, the numbers behind his deals, and what he'd do differently if he had to start over with no money. He also covers the unusual trick he used to cover his own closing costs, and what he did with the $228K he walked away with when he finally sold that first condo!
If you've ever assumed a market like LA is off-limits for a rookie, this episode says otherwise!
In This Episode We Cover
How to turn a "problem" property into your first house hack
Why cash flow isn't the only way to build wealth
How to use a HELOC (home equity line of credit) to fund your next deal
Why moving into your own rental can unlock a better refinance without an appraisal
How to keep a renovation alive when the money runs short
What to do with a six-figure gain once you sell
The lender trick that puts money back in your pocket at closing
And So Much More!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices - Investing in your first house hack but not sure whether the deal makes sense in the long run? House hacking is the way most rookies get started in real estate, and we’re breaking down how to analyze those deals to make sure you’re starting off strong!
Welcome back to Rookie Reply! We’re back, answering three of your burning questions straight from the BiggerPockets Forums. In this episode, a rookie wants to try his first house hack but needs to know exactly what to analyze in a duplex vs. a single-family home. We’re breaking down the three factors that decide if it makes sense in their market, including a "supermax" strategy most rookies haven't even considered! We’re also weighing in on whether an investor should buy local or out of state for their first long-term rental, and the one trend rookies need to check before choosing a market!
Finally, a rookie who is torn between a duplex or a vacation home gets an answer with a twist: the tax loophole that could make one option the smarter buy. Three very different scenarios, but all packed with strategies that will help you on your buying journey, and a clear path to building your long-term wealth!
Looking to invest? Need answers? Ask your question here!
In This Episode We Cover
The three numbers that make or break a house hack deal (always run these)
The "supermax" strategy for maxing out your house hack returns
Why negative cash flow isn't always a bad sign
Backyard vs. out-of-state investing: which wins for your first rental
The tax loophole most rookies have no idea about (very useful if you have a BIG tax bill)
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-772.
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 - Finding real estate deals is a challenge for many rookies. Trying to tell the difference between a great deal and a property that is merely disguised as one is something usually only experienced investors see through. But in this episode, we’re sharing some of the best strategies we use to find real estate deals—including a few options you’ve probably never heard of!
Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Today, we’re breaking down eight different ways to find your first (or next) rental property! First, you’ll need to build your buy box so that you know exactly which types of properties to look for and where to find them. But then, we’ll show you how to work through the MLS the smart way, find real estate deals via word-of-mouth, and use seller concessions, wholesalers, and pocket listings to buy undervalued properties. We’ll even share an often-overlooked opportunity that could help you buy an entire real estate portfolio in one transaction!
For each strategy, we’ll get into the real advantages and drawbacks, so you know exactly which of these channels fits where you are right now. Finally, we’ll show you exactly what to track so your hard work actually translates into your next deal!
In This Episode We Cover
The best ways to find great real estate deals in 2027
Why you must build your buy box before searching for deals
How to use the MLS (multiple listing service) like an experienced investor
The secret to finding “hidden” rental portfolios (and how to negotiate them!)
The pros and cons of using word-of-mouth to land deals
What a pocket listing really is, and how to get on an agent's shortlist
How to effectively manage your direct-to-seller outreach campaigns
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-771.
Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices - You don't have to live near your rental, or bring a huge check to closing, to build a real estate portfolio. Today’s guest closed both her deals with only $3,000 out of pocket for each deal, and in a city she'd never even visited. We’re walking through how she did it, and how you can get started, too!
Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Thomasina Myresa grew up learning how to save. And while she was good at it, it was only when her career was put on hold that she found BiggerPockets, and the art of investing. After finding her mentor, Thomasina went on to close her first deal just five months later! More impressively, it was out-of-state, and with only $3,000 down.
Thomasina walks us through how she used the seller concession strategy to keep her closing costs tiny—twice, what she looked for in a property management company (and why she fired one within the first week), and how she scaled from a single family rental to now house hacking a $325,000 duplex.
Thomasina’s smart and humble approach to scaling while finding her purpose and niche as a landlord is an all-round inspiring journey, and one that any rookie can relate to! Find out how you can use Thomasina’s strategies to get your journey started in as little as five months!
In This Episode We Cover
The seller concession trick that got her to closing with only $3,000, twice
How a career-halting moment pushed her to pivot into real estate
Saving vs. investing, and the career fool-proofing that real estate offers!
The rent hike mistake that cost her her first tenant, and the lesson it taught her
How to house hack using the rent-by-the-room investing strategy
Why she fired her property manager after just one week
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-770.
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 - Your first rental cash flows just fine, but it needs some work, and in order to scale your portfolio, the next big decision hits: Should you hold and repair, or sell it and cash in? Today, we’ll show you how to tell a “keeper” from a potential money pit before you spend a dollar more!
Welcome back to another Rookie Reply! This week we’re tackling three more questions from the BiggerPockets Forums. First up, we’ll hear from a couple choosing between house hacking and flipping houses and show them why it might not have to be either/or. Next, an NYC investor is debating between two real estate markets, and we’re breaking down how to *make his money go as far as possible.*
Finally, a landlord’s first long-term rental needs significant repairs, and he’s questioning if it’s worth renovating or if it’s finally time to sell. There’s a crucial step he needs to take before making that decision, and we’re uncovering exactly what it is!
Looking to invest? Need answers? Ask your question here!
In This Episode We Cover
How to determine whether you should keep (and fix) or sell a rental property
Why it’s crucial to get real repair estimates before assuming the worst
Why house hacking and flipping don’t have to be mutually exclusive
Financing options that can get you into a property with little to no money down
How to choose between two (great) real estate markets
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-769.
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
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About Real Estate Rookie
New to real estate investing and not sure where to start? Ashley Kehr and Tony J. Robinson break down the basics with real-world deal analysis, investor interviews and listener Q&A.
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