Real Estate Rookie

Buy the Book, “Wealth Without Cash”

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Co-Living Units Are Helping Investors Generate Higher Returns—Here’s What You Need to Know

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(00:00) Intro

(00:33) Hustling for a House

(07:33) Co-Living 101

(11:40) “Testing” His Strategy

(17:51) Andres’ Current Portfolio

(24:29) How to Find Properties

(27:32) Quitting His W2 Job

(31:25) $5,000 Monthly Cash Flow!

(32:12) Connect with Andres!

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If Your Rental Property Is Doing THIS, You Should Sell It (Rookie Reply) Mar 14, 2025

Show notes

Is it time to SELL your rental property? Not so fast! Bad cash flow isn’t the end of the world if you’re banking on appreciation, and there are several ways to increase your cash flow. But certain problems aren’t worth the headaches, and in this episode, we’ll share some telltale signs that you should sell!

Welcome back to another Rookie Reply! Today’s first question comes from a new investor who’s looking to go from buying beginner-friendly, turnkey properties to scaling with the BRRRR method (buy, rehab, rent, refinance, repeat). Is this a doable next step or should they stick with what’s been working? We’ll show you why this investing strategy isn’t as intimidating as it might seem!

Next, we’ll discuss what you should do if your property is bleeding money. At what point should you move on? Maybe you’ve already decided to cash out but are struggling to sell your investment property. We’ll show you how to move that stubborn listing!

Looking to invest? Need answers? Ask your question here!

In This Episode We Cover

Signs you should SELL your rental property (and when to hold instead)

Properly analyzing rental properties so you DON’T get stuck with a bad investment

How to use the BRRRR method to scale your real estate portfolio

Earning semi-passive income with turnkey rentals

How to choose the right real estate investing strategy for YOU

Creative strategies for moving an old listing that has been sitting on the market

And So Much More!

Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-535

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How to Buy Your First Rental Property in THIS Market (2025 Ultimate Guide) Mar 12, 2025

Show notes

Tired of spending your money on rent or stashing it in a traditional savings account? You could make your money work harder for you and get on the path to financial freedom with real estate investing. Today, we’re going to show you exactly how to buy your first rental property in 2025, step by step!

Despite rising home prices and high interest rates, now is an ideal time for new investors to buy real estate, as they face less competition and have even more leverage. So, in this episode, Ashley and Tony are going to show you seven steps that will get you off the sidelines and into the game! First, we’ll help you lay a foundation for investing. You’ll not only need to get your financial house in order but also set clear investing goals, determine your purchasing power, and choose your investing strategy.

You’ll also learn how to do things like find a lender, choose your market, and assemble your investing team. Then, we’ll start looking at deals! We’ll share how to build your buy box, analyze properties, and negotiate with sellers. Most importantly, we’ll teach you the right way to build your business so that you succeed today AND as you scale your real estate portfolio!

In This Episode We Cover:

How to buy your first rental property in 2025 (step by step)

Why NOW is the perfect time for new investors to get into real estate

The three things you must do before buying an investment property

How to create your “buy box” and start analyzing rental properties

The value of building relationships with small, local banks and credit unions

Must-have systems and processes for your real estate business

And So Much More!

Links from the Show

The Rookie’s Cheat Sheet for Market Research (Find Where to Invest in 2024)

Real Estate Investing Resources

Property Buy Box Worksheet

How to Financially Prepare to Buy Your First Rental Property (7 Steps)

Pick Up Ashley’s Book “Real Estate Rookie”

Real Estate Rookie 523 - The “Secret Sauce” for Buying Rental Properties BELOW Market Value

(00:00) Intro

(00:36) Why Real Estate?

(04:49) Step 1. Lay the Foundation

(09:25) Step 2. Talk to a Lender

(11:27) Step 3. Choose Your Market

(14:59) Step 4. Build Out Your Team

(18:49) Step 5. Create Your Buy Box

(25:03) Step 6. Make an Offer

(31:53) Step 7. Prepare for Closing

(33:56) Find Your NEXT Deal!

Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-534

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Creating $3,000/Month Cash Flow Just by Pivoting to THIS Investing Strategy Mar 10, 2025

Show notes

Are you stuck with a problematic property? What if you could create thousands of dollars in monthly cash flow just by pivoting to the right investing strategy for your property and market? That’s exactly what today’s guest did, and if you stick around, she’ll show you how to repeat her success!

Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Aleea Stanton’s grandparents gave up their home to put her through college, so after graduating from law school, she saved up and bought them a house. Little did she know that this would ignite a passion for real estate investing and home renovation projects. Before long, Aleea had gone on to fix and flip eight houses—averaging $40,000 in profit per home—and even pocketed a whopping $200,000 on her most recent flip!

Despite the huge profit margins she earned with this lucrative strategy, Aleea decided to diversify her real estate portfolio with buy-and-hold investing. Now, she brings in an additional $3,000 in consistent monthly cash flow, all thanks to a combination of long-term and medium-term rentals. Tune in as Aleea shares her biggest successes and several critical mistakes to avoid!

In This Episode We Cover:

Making thousands in monthly cash flow by pivoting to another investing strategy

Why diversification is one of the most powerful tools in a difficult housing market

The number one thing that will make or break your renovation projects

Why you should always order your own home inspection (even if you waive one)

Creative ways to find off-market real estate deals in a competitive market

And So Much More!

Links from the Show

Maximize Your Real Estate Investing with a Self-Directed IRA from Equity Trust

Buy the Book “Start with Strategy”

Which Real Estate Investing Strategy Is Best for Your Goals?

(00:00) Intro

(00:35) Buying Her First House

(05:35) Flipping 8 Houses!

(08:12) Pivoting to Long-Term Rentals

(16:58) Finding Great MLS Deals

(28:20) Mid-Term Rentals & Off-Market Deals

(31:49) Connect with Aleea!

Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-533

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Stop Buying Rentals (You Have Enough) and Do THIS Instead (Rookie Reply) Mar 07, 2025

Show notes

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

Buy the Book “Start with Strategy”

PropStream

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

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How to Invest in Real Estate with an AVERAGE Salary (Under $75K) in 2025 Mar 05, 2025

Show notes

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

Maximize Your Real Estate Investing with a Self-Directed IRA from Equity Trust

NACA

Luke’s Website

Grab the Book “Smarter Short-Term Rentals”

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

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17 Units in 3 Years During High Rates with This Low-Risk “BRRRR” Strategy Mar 03, 2025

Show notes

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

Try REsimpli, The Only All-In-One Real Estate Investor CRM Software That Helps You Manage Data, Marketing, Sales, and Operations

Rich Dad Poor Dad

Grab the Book on the “BRRRR” Strategy

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

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7 Best (Beginner) Markets to Buy Rental Properties in 2025 (Rookie Reply) Feb 28, 2025

Show notes

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

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

Grab the Book “Smarter Short-Term Rentals”

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

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How to Find “Hidden” Deals That Most Investors Miss (Even as a Beginner) Feb 26, 2025

Show notes

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

Buy Avery’s New Book “Smarter Short-Term Rentals"

AirDNA

PriceLabs

Rabbu

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

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Snowballing to 6 Properties and $75K+/Year Cash Flow (After a Late Start!) Feb 24, 2025

Show notes

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