Real Estate Rookie

Between his career and a podcasting side hustle, Robert Leonard's a busy guy. So how does he—and how can you—build a small but mighty rental portfolio in your spare time?For Robert, it comes down to 4 major elements:1. Use a series of house hacks to lower expenses and build equity.2. Find an MVP real estate agent.3. Align with a partner.4. Invest out-of-state...

Everything you've ever wanted to know about direct-to-homeowner marketing... but may have been afraid to ask!From exactly what Drew writes in a letter, to how he builds rapport when running an appointment, to making offers and getting to the closing table, it's all here in plain English.This episode follows up on show #9, where mentor/mentee duo Ryan Dossey and Drew Wiard broke down how Drew built a brand and zeroed in on his target market...

BiggerPockets legend J Scott was once a rookie, and he's got the stories (and scars) to prove it!Today J stops by to give us a primer on economic cycles and how they impact real estate investors. You'll learn what to expect when housing prices soften and which strategies work best in each economic phase. Plus, J shares the tale of his first (years-long) flip, tells us what he's learned along the way, and delivers a surprising top tip for today's rookie real estate investor...

OK, you've got a property under contract. Now the real work begins!In today's episode, you'll learn all about about a crucial step in the home-buying process: home inspections.Find out how they work, how much they cost, and how they could wind up saving you a boatload of cash—or help you negotiate a sweet deal!Rose Buckley is a certified home inspector who has walked 1,000-plus homes...

Tony Robinson had every excuse NOT to invest.Expensive local market? Demanding full-time job? Family responsibilities?Check, check, and check.So, how did he pull off his first two deals in a cash flow-friendly market 1,500 miles away?Today, Tony spills the beans: how he got a bank to loan him 100% of purchase AND rehab cost, how he managed contractors from afar, two crucial lessons he learned on his first deal, and much more...

Can't find deals on the MLS? Dreaming about off-market deals, but not sure how to go after them?Today's show lays out a step-by-step, repeatable strategy for those of you who have what it takes to approach homeowners directly. It's not easy. It takes patience. And It costs money (or time). But for those precise reasons, it's where the real money is.Today we bring in Drew Wiard, a Fort Wayne, IN investor with a family and a full-time job...

Banks tend to love a certain type of borrower... and Mallori and Lucas don't quite fit the mold.They're not 9-to-5ers. They rely on tips and seasonal work. And they live modestly but aren't swimming in cash. So, when they took the plunge into real estate investing—in pricey Tacoma, Washington—they had some work to do to become "bankable...

If you've been telling yourself, "I'll invest in real estate when prices come down," well... that time may be coming.So, what should rookie real estate investors be doing now to prepare?Today we outline six action items—from shoring up your financial position to making yourself an attractive partner. Also, we bring back the "Rookie Request Line" so you can hear Ashley and Felipe's answers to a few questions from the audience...

Today we tackle the often-overlooked -- but perhaps most important -- element of real estate investing: actually placing a (great!) resident in your property.Our guest Lucas Hall built website Landlordology.com (which he later sold to Cozy, where he now works) and is an expert on best practices for landlords self-managing small portfolios (that's you!)...

Yes, newbies ARE still closing deals out there.This week, we talk to three up-and-coming investors who either recently closed or are currently under contract on investment properties. Despite entire parts of the economy being shut down, real estate continues to be classified as "essential" -- and Jeremy Goldizen (Avon, OH), Kristen Johnson (Columbia, SC), and Rafael Estrada (Denver, CO) are all taking advantage...