Real Estate Rookie
BiggerPockets
- 21 minutes 24 secondsHow to Buy Rental #2, #3, or #4 When You’re Out of Funds (Rookie Reply)
Stuck at one rental property? Maybe you spent years saving for that first down payment, and now, your funds are depleted. Where do you go from here? Not to worry—we’ll show you how to get past this common rookie roadblock and buy your second, third, and fourth deals!
Welcome to another Rookie Reply! Ashley and Tony are back with more questions from the BiggerPockets Forums, the first of which is about scaling when you’re out of cash. Some rookie investors throw their entire savings at that first investment property, so do you really have to start over to buy the next one? Maybe you don’t! We share a few strategies that will help you grow your real estate portfolio faster.
Insurance premiums have risen in many markets, but what do you do when they actually kill your deal, wiping out any potential cash flow? Abandon the deal entirely? Go back and negotiate with the seller? We also hear from an investor who wants to build an Airbnb business and take advantage of the short-term rental tax loophole, but is struggling to pick a market. We’ll help them narrow down their options!
Looking to invest? Need answers? Ask your question here!
In This Episode We Cover
How to scale your real estate portfolio when working with limited funds
Using creative financing to buy rental properties with less money down
How to reduce your taxable income with the short-term rental loophole
What to do when insurance costs blow up your real estate deal
How to find and choose the best short-term rental markets for 2026
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-679
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13 February 2026, 12:00 pm - 29 minutes 30 seconds3 Reasons Why You Haven’t Bought Your First Rental Property (Yet)
If you’re like most rookies, you probably won’t buy a rental property in 2026.
After all, there are too many things working against you: high mortgage rates, fewer deals, and concerns about the housing market. Plus, you’re just not “ready” yet, right?
Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Today, we’re breaking down the three biggest reasons why most rookies won’t invest in real estate this year. These hurdles have one thing in common: fear. It might be that you lack the confidence to make an offer, or perhaps you’re waiting for the “perfect” deal to fall into your lap. Maybe you’re convinced you need more education, when really, you’ve got a bad case of analysis paralysis.
Whatever the reason, it’s time to stop merely dreaming about building wealth with real estate and start executing. In this episode, we’ll show you the huge opportunity cost of sitting on the sidelines, how getting creative can make the numbers work, and why it’s okay to submit a “lowball” offer. Stick around for a simple rookie challenge that will help you make serious progress in your investing journey this year!
In This Episode We Cover
The three reasons why most rookies won’t buy a rental property in 2026
Common fears that could stop you from taking down your first real estate deal
Why your nine-to-five job isn’t actually any “safer” than real estate investing
Why waiting for the “perfect” deal could cause you to miss out on great deals
The 2026 challenge that will help you break free from analysis paralysis
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-678
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11 February 2026, 12:00 pm - 43 minutes 25 secondsThe W2 Employee’s Roadmap to Financial Freedom (Buy Rentals While Working 8-6)
Think you’re too busy to own rental properties? Real estate investing doesn’t have to dominate your time or energy. Today’s guest is living proof, having built a three-property rental portfolio in just two years—all while juggling a 50-hour workweek!
Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! When Rashad George sold his primary residence for a $100,000 payday, he realized that real estate was the missing piece in his quest for financial freedom. Despite being swamped at his eight-to-six job, he found ways to start small, buying a new build investment property that required very little upkeep. Then, he graduated to more difficult projects needing cosmetic rehabs and eventually, full-gut renovations.
Now, Rashad has settled into Section 8 investing, which delivers consistent monthly cash flow while he continues to advance in his career. In this episode, he busts some of the myths surrounding this investing strategy, shares how he structured his first real estate partnership, and shines a light on the tax loophole he uses to offset his active income!
In This Episode We Cover
How Rashad built a 3-property portfolio in two years (while working eight-to-six)
How to get consistent monthly cash flow with Section 8 investing
What you need to know before forming your first real estate partnership
The short-term rental tax loophole you can use to offset your active income
How to find and buy discounted real estate deals at an auction
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-677
Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email [email protected].
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9 February 2026, 12:00 pm - 18 minutes 31 secondsNo Money? Creative Ways to Fund Your Next Rental Property (Rookie Reply)
Money. It’s the first BIG hurdle every rookie faces when buying a rental property. Can’t put 20% down? Maybe you don’t need to!
Welcome to another Rookie Reply! We’re back with three new questions from the BiggerPockets Forums, and first, we hear from someone who’s looking to scrounge up the funds for their first real estate investment. If you have the right deal, you could bring very little, and in some cases, no money, to the table. But it’ll probably require some legwork!
Next, if you’re looking for off-market properties, you’ll want a reliable wholesaler who can deliver a steady stream of quality deals. Stay tuned as we show you how to not only find them but also become part of their inner circle.
We also tackle a question many rookies have: Should you line up your financing before or after you’ve found a deal? One approach gives you a clear edge when it comes to narrowing your buy box, making offers, and negotiating with sellers!
Looking to invest? Need answers? Ask your question here!
In This Episode We Cover
Ways to buy an investment property with little or no money down
Creative financing strategies YOU could be using to fund deals in 2026
How to find reliable wholesalers who can provide consistent deal flow
Why lining up financing early gives you a serious edge when making offers
How to build trust with potential partners, lenders, and wholesalers
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-676
Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email [email protected].
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6 February 2026, 12:00 pm - 45 minutes 25 secondsI Just Lost $25,000: What I Learned from My Worst Real Estate Deal (Ever)
Ashley just did her worst real estate deal. Ever.
We always talk about the good real estate deals, but what about the bad deals? The rental properties with the nightmare rehabs or the messy evictions? The truth is that the lessons learned from these blunders often propel us toward bigger and better deals.
Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Today, we’re going over one of Ashley’s recent deals, where she lost over $25,000. But it could have been even worse. As you’re about to hear, she bit off a little more than she could chew, tackling a new investing strategy with a much more difficult renovation than she signed up for.
Ashley shares what went wrong while analyzing the property, the huge mistake she made during the due diligence phase, and how a little indecision snowballed into thousands in holding costs. But most importantly, you’ll learn what Ashley’s taking away from this painful experience so that her next deal is much better for it!
In This Episode We Cover
Breaking down Ashley’s worst real estate deal ever (and a $25,000 loss!)
The critical mistake Ashley made during the due diligence phase
Why time is of the essence when taking on a large rehab project
Why you should always “test” new strategies, markets, and partnerships
The real estate tax benefits that can help offset a “bad” deal on paper
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-675
Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email [email protected].
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4 February 2026, 12:00 pm - 49 minutes 51 secondsMaking $4,000/Month Cash Flow with 10 Rental Properties (In Just 4 Years)
Tired of working a nine-to-five job that dominates your time and energy? You could be closer to financial freedom than you think, even if you’re like today’s guest—living alone, working multiple jobs, and hustling to make ends meet. In just four years, she built a rental portfolio that now cash flows $4,000 a month!
Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Recently separated, virtually broke, and living in a tiny apartment, Allana Lippman had a “crazy” thought while writing the monthly rent check to her landlord:
Maybe—just maybe—she could build wealth with real estate, too.
But rather than spending months (or years) educating herself about real estate investing, she dove right in. And good thing she did, because the first deal that fell in her lap was a “secret” duplex, listed as a single-family home, that quite literally changed her life. It not only gave her a place to live but also another unit and a tenant paying down her mortgage!
Allana has already scaled her real estate portfolio to 10 properties, but now, she’s reevaluating her investing strategy. Stick around to hear why she’s shifting her focus toward a smaller portfolio that will allow her to truly “own her time,” work less, and travel more!
In This Episode We Cover
How Allana scaled her rental portfolio to 10 properties in just four years
Making $4,000 in monthly cash flow with 15 rental units
How Allana found a “secret” duplex disguised as a single-family home
The mixed-use building that has become Allana’s “cash cow”
Juggling real estate investing and TWO jobs (without burning out)
Diversifying your real estate portfolio with multiple investing strategies
How to achieve financial freedom with a “small and mighty” portfolio
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-674
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2 February 2026, 12:00 pm - 28 minutes 54 secondsPay Off Your Property or Buy More? + Handling Repairs with Tenants in Place (Rookie Reply)
Mortgage rates have dropped recently, which is great news for rookies looking to buy a rental property. But is NOW the right time for a cash-out refinance?
On one hand, tapping into the equity you’ve built up in your property could help you take down bigger and better investing opportunities, but on the other hand, a completely paid-off property might help you sleep better at night. We’re weighing all of your options in today’s episode!
Welcome to another Rookie Reply! Ashley and Tony are diving back into the BiggerPockets Forums, and today’s first question comes from an investor who’s working through a significant rental property repair. The tenant is making special requests, but should the landlord accommodate them?
Next, we hear from someone who’s considering a cash-out refinance for one of their properties. Is it worth deploying their money elsewhere, or is paid-off real estate the faster path to financial freedom? Finally, does commercial real estate offer better cash flow than single-family homes? The answer is a little more nuanced than you might think!
Looking to invest? Need answers? Ask your question here!
In This Episode We Cover
When to do a cash-out refinance with your investment property
Paying off properties versus “recycling” home equity to scale faster
How to accommodate tenants while making rental property repairs
The pros and cons of commercial and residential real estate investing
The best ways to find cash-flowing commercial real estate deals
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-673
Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email [email protected].
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30 January 2026, 12:00 pm - 49 minutesShe Built an Entire Real Estate Portfolio in Just 2 Years with THESE Tools
Do you want to own not one rental property, or two, but an entire real estate portfolio that gives you financial freedom? Then, you’re going to need help as you grow. Thankfully, there are many tools and systems that can make running your rentals much easier. With the right resources, today’s guest built a very profitable real estate business in just TWO years!
Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Jamie Banks has already quit her job and replaced her entire salary with the cash flow from her rental properties. But she’s not done yet. Now, one of Jamie’s goals is to work as little as possible, and she’s chipping away at it by leveraging artificial intelligence (AI), automating mundane processes, and creating standard operating procedures (SOPs) her team can follow.
Whether you’re stabilizing a single property or looking to scale your portfolio, this episode is jam-packed with systems, tools, and tips you need to reach your real estate investing goals much faster. Jamie shares the biggest pain points for new investors, the quickest way to create procedures from scratch, and the software she can’t live without!
In This Episode We Cover
The systems Jamie used to build her real estate business in two years
The best tools and software for scaling your real estate portfolio faster
How to craft standard operating procedures (SOPs) from scratch
Leveraging automation and artificial intelligence (AI) within your business
The biggest pain points new investors have early on in their investing journey
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-672
Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email [email protected].
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28 January 2026, 12:00 pm - 52 minutes 19 secondsFrom a Foreclosure & 200 Credit Score to Building Wealth with “Grandma” Houses
Fear you’ll never be able to invest in real estate because of money, credit, or bad timing? This single mom lost her house and had a 200 credit score, yet she was still able to rebuild her life and buy rental properties. If she can find a way to build wealth, so can YOU!
Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Just months before the 2008 housing market crash, Sarah Weatherbee found herself unable to make her mortgage payments. So, she rented out her home, moved to Nicaragua, and lived off the rental income until the dust settled. Unfortunately, shortly after returning to the U.S., she lost her home. The silver lining? Although things hadn’t panned out, Sarah had been given a small taste of what it’s like to own a rental property—with someone paying down your mortgage for you—and was determined to own real estate again one day.
And that’s exactly what she did by buckling down, rebuilding her credit, and stashing away money for her next property. Fast forward to today, and Sarah has bought multiple properties with low money down. Stay tuned as she shares the investing strategy she uses to do it!
In This Episode We Cover
How Sarah rebuilt her credit and bought real estate again after losing her home
Making over $130,000 in pure profit from ONE real estate deal
The investing strategy that allows you to buy multiple properties with low money down
When to move to another area of the country to invest in real estate
The one reason why Sarah didn’t quit real estate investing after failure
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-671
Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email [email protected].
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26 January 2026, 12:00 pm - 26 minutes 42 secondsHow to Build an Out-of-State Investing Team in Any Market (Rookie Reply)
Buying a rental property in another city, county, or state? Then, you’re going to need boots on the ground in that market to help find, fix, and manage your investment property. How do you make sure you’ve got the right people in place from many miles away? We’ve got the tips you need in today’s episode!
Welcome to another Rookie Reply! Tony and Ashley are back with three more questions from the BiggerPockets Forums, the first of which comes from an investor who’s struggling to find meaningful cash flow in their market. Should they hold out for that “home-run deal” or settle for something less if it means getting that first property under their belt? Next, we’ll hear from someone who has enough money to buy a primary home or an investment property. We’ll weigh both options and even share an investing strategy that allows you to have both!
Finally, if you’re investing out of state, you’ll need a team of trusted experts in that market. But finding these people is easier said than done. Stick around as we share where to look, questions to ask, and some red flags to avoid at all costs!
Looking to invest? Need answers? Ask your question here!
In This Episode We Cover
How to build your own out-of-state investing team in any market (step by step)
Red flags to avoid when vetting agents, lenders, contractors, and more
Whether you should buy an investment property before your primary residence
How to buy a rental property with low money down using the house hacking strategy
The “minimum” cash flow you should accept when analyzing rental properties
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-670
Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email [email protected].
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23 January 2026, 12:00 pm - 51 minutes 56 secondsHow to Make Up to $20K/Month with Airbnb Co-Hosting (No Rentals Needed)
Can’t break into real estate investing? Maybe you don’t have enough money to buy a rental property or the track record of a confident investor. Thankfully, there’s a way to make money in real estate without owning rentals, and it could even help fund your first property. Today’s expert makes $20,000 in monthly cash flow with this strategy—Airbnb co-hosting!
Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Today, we’re joined by one of BiggerPockets’ resident short-term rental experts, Garrett Brown. Garrett has owned everything from normal long-term rentals to unique stays in hot vacation markets, but one of his favorite “investing” strategies doesn’t even require you to own rental properties. The best part? With some research, people skills, and passion for hospitality, any rookie can build a profitable co-hosting business from scratch in just a few months!
Garrett shows you exactly how to do just that in today’s episode, step by step. You’ll learn where to find clients, what to charge for your services, and how to make your fledgling business stand out in 2026. Garrett even shares his go-to tools and software that make co-hosting a breeze!
In This Episode We Cover
How to build a profitable Airbnb co-hosting business (step by step!)
How Garrett scaled to $20,000 in monthly cash flow with this strategy
Two proven strategies to find (and land) your very first co-hosting client
The number one way to make your co-hosting business stand out in 2026
Must-have AI tools and software that make it easier to run your Airbnb business
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-669
Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email [email protected].
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21 January 2026, 12:00 pm - More Episodes? Get the App