Real Estate Rookie
BiggerPockets
- 38 minutes 52 secondsTurning Burnout Into (Real) Financial Freedom with 7 Rentals in Just 3 Years
Feel trapped at a nine-to-five job that promises “success” but robs you of all joy, peace, and freedom? Today’s guest was in the same boat, but when everything came to a head, she traded it all for a new life that would allow her to pursue actual financial freedom—with rental properties!
Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Casey Nguyen had (almost) everything. She and her husband were making seven figures and owned a beautiful home in the Bay Area, but they were working around the clock—and they were miserable. So, when they had reached their breaking point, they did what most wouldn’t: they moved to a lower cost-of-living area and started investing in real estate.
Casey has since built and scaled her real estate portfolio to seven properties across Texas, North Carolina, Ohio, and their new home state of Kentucky, where they have recently launched an Airbnb that will bring in over $50,000 this year. With each day, Casey is one step closer to her ultimate goal: more time with her family, the flexibility to travel the world, and more than enough money to fuel it.
In This Episode We Cover
How Casey scaled to seven rental properties in just three years
The cross-country move that helped this couple fast-track their investments
Trading extreme job burnout for more time, flexibility, and financial freedom
A lucrative side hustle that could help fund your rental portfolio
How Casey netted $460,000 (tax-free) by selling her primary home
The Red River Gorge condo that will bring in over $50,000 this year
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-668
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19 January 2026, 12:00 pm - 24 minutes 27 secondsThis Matters More Than Cash Flow (Most Rookies Ignore It) (Rookie Reply)
We’ve got THE “secret” to getting more cash flow from your rental property. Ready? Put more money down! It’s an obvious solution, but is putting 30%, 40%, or more really the best use of your cash? In this episode, we’ll get into all of the different things you should consider before putting more money down on your next investment property!
Welcome to another Rookie Reply! Ashley and Tony are back with three new questions from the BiggerPockets Forums. First, we’ll tackle a question many rookies have, especially when looking for off-market deals: Do you need a Realtor? Another investor claims the only way to find cash flow in their current market is by making a bigger down payment and self-managing the property. The problem? This gives them a much lower cash-on-cash return. Stay tuned as we share some other options they’re probably not thinking about!
Next, what do you do when a borrower ghosts you? Whether you’re lending private money or seller financing, it’s crucial to handle this type of situation properly (and legally). We’ll show you how!
Looking to invest? Need answers? Ask your question here!
In This Episode We Cover
Cash flow versus cash-on-cash return (and which one is more important)
How to increase your cash flow without putting more money down
Whether you need a real estate agent when buying an investment property
When to self-manage your rental property (or hire a property manager!)
What to do when a borrower stops paying you back (private money or seller financing)
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-667
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16 January 2026, 12:00 pm - 53 minutes 5 secondsThey Were Right in 2008, Now They’re Saying to Buy in 2026 w/ Thach Nguyen & James Dainard
Are we headed for another housing market crash, or is this a slightly longer correction in the current real estate cycle? With home prices flattening in certain markets, many investors fear buying rentals before a crash. But fear creates opportunity, and today’s guests will show you why today—not next year, or five years from now—is the best time to start!
Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Today, we’re joined by Thach Nguyen and James Dainard, who not only survived the 2008 market crash but also built most of their wealth in the years that followed. Does 2026 mirror 2008 in any way? Should rookies be bracing for another housing crash? No one can say for certain, but our experts believe now is the time for investors to double down and take advantage of better deal flow and negotiating power in a buyer’s market.
In this episode, you’ll hear how Thach and James have weathered downturns and adjusted the way they analyze rental properties in uncertain times. They also share the keys to scaling your real estate portfolio (no matter the market), and the time-tested investing strategy that rookies should focus on!
In This Episode We Cover
Whether we’re headed for another housing market crash in 2026
How Thach and James built most of their wealth following the 2008 crash
The huge opportunities rookies can take advantage of in a buyer’s market
Adjusting the way you analyze real estate deals during uncertain times
The biggest mistakes rookies make when getting into real estate investing
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-666
Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email [email protected].
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14 January 2026, 12:00 pm - 51 minutes 15 secondsMaking $25,000/Year Cash Flow by Buying the Worst Rental on the Best Block
Getting laid off from your W2 job can be a crushing blow, but for today’s guest, it was the push she needed to finally bet on herself. Her first “real” rental property wasn’t the perfect deal, but it didn’t need to be. Today, it cash flows over $25,000 a year and has become her favorite creative outlet!
Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Where you invest is often just as important as the property itself, so when Alex Reeves had the opportunity to buy a run-down rental in a great area of town, she jumped—getting it under contract with only a day’s notice, sight unseen, over FaceTime. Despite going over budget by roughly $100,000, she finished the renovation, furnished the property, and had her listing up in only a few months!
Once a “house of horrors,” this same property now cash flows over $2,000 a month and has 100% five-star reviews on Airbnb. How? Stay tuned as Alex walks you through the entire journey of buying, rehabbing, and renting out this property—the good, the bad, and yes, even the ugly!
In This Episode We Cover:
How Alex makes over $25,000 in yearly cash flow from ONE rental property
How to get more funds for your renovation project when it goes over budget
The mindset shift that turned this “accidental landlord” into an Airbnb Superhost
Tips that will save you a fortune on your property’s design and furnishings
The keys to crafting a five-star experience with your short-term rental
How Alex spent an extra $100,000 on renovations (and still made money!)
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-665
Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email [email protected].
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12 January 2026, 2:30 pm - 33 minutes 29 secondsHow to Buy Cash-Flowing Rentals in 2026 (Despite High Rates) (Rookie Reply)
Is real estate investing still worth it? High mortgage rates and home prices can make buying a rental property seem challenging, if not impossible at times, particularly for a rookie investor with zero experience. But not to worry—in this episode, we’re sharing beginner-friendly tips that will help you find and fund cash-flowing deals in 2026!
Welcome to another Rookie Reply! We’re back with three questions from the BiggerPockets Forums, the first of which comes from someone who’s looking to break into real estate but is unsure of how to make the numbers work in today’s high-interest-rate environment. Is now a bad time to invest, or conversely, the best possible time to get started?
Another investor is looking to leave their W2 for a job in real estate, but should they? Ashley and Tony debate whether this move actually gives you an edge. Finally, behind every good real estate investor is an investor-friendly tax professional. But how do you find one? We share some of the most crucial questions to ask when hiring a CPA!
Looking to invest? Need answers? Ask your question here!
In This Episode We Cover
How to find cash-flowing real estate deals (despite high mortgage rates)
Whether rookies should start investing in real estate in 2026 (or wait)
Choosing the right investing strategy for your long-term goals
The BEST real estate jobs to help fast-track your investing journey
When to leave your current W2 job for a job in real estate
Crucial questions to ask a tax professional before hiring them
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-664
Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email [email protected].
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9 January 2026, 12:00 pm - 34 minutes 18 secondsWhy Landlord Insurance Premiums Are Skyrocketing in 2026 (And How to Stop It)
Landlord insurance premiums are rising fast in many markets across the U.S., and if you’re not careful, this expense could be a dealbreaker on your next rental property. Fortunately, we know an expert on this topic, and in this episode, he’ll help you navigate these challenges so you buy the right policy without sacrificing your cash flow!
Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Today, we’re joined by Darren Nix, CEO of Steadily, to discuss all things rental property insurance. Why are premiums skyrocketing in the first place, and more importantly, is there anything you can do about it? As you’re about to find out, yes! Darren shares all kinds of tips and strategies you can use to keep costs under control, all while getting the coverage you need.
Stay tuned as he shows you how to estimate insurance costs when analyzing deals, which types of coverages you need for your property (and which are optional), and how to choose a real estate market that has reasonable premiums. Whether you’re insuring your first or fifth property, these tips could help you save thousands on landlord insurance, and better yet, give you peace of mind that you’re covered in a worst-case scenario!
In This Episode We Cover
Tips, tricks, and strategies that will help minimize your insurance costs
The number one issue currently driving up landlord insurance premiums
How to accurately estimate insurance when analyzing rental properties
The types of rental properties that (usually) have the lowest insurance costs
How to pick a real estate market with more affordable insurance
When to pair your landlord policy with an umbrella policy for additional coverage
Which real estate markets are most likely to become “uninsurable”
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-663
Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email [email protected].
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7 January 2026, 12:00 pm - 56 minutes 41 secondsShe Quit Her W2 to Stay Home, Now This Mom of 3 Makes $6K/Month from 1 Rental
“Cancer.” One word would change this mom’s life forever, requiring her to drop her career and become a full-time caregiver. But little did she know that real estate investing would bring her more time, flexibility, and freedom than she had at any W2 job. Today, she owns several rentals, including one that brings in over $6,000 in monthly cash flow!
Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Jane Ng and her husband had been climbing the corporate ladder when a family medical crisis turned their lives upside down. Following her daughter’s leukemia diagnosis, battle, and long recovery, Jane knew her next job would need to accommodate their new normal. Real estate has provided that and more, allowing her to spend more time with her children, work without being chained to a desk, and bring in more than enough money to help support her family.
After dabbling in wholesaling, long-term rentals, and other investing strategies, Jane has since pivoted to short-term rentals, leveraging her hospitality background to craft memorable getaway experiences. Stick around and she’ll show YOU how to copy her success, whether you’re a stay-at-home mom or a nine-to-fiver!
In This Episode We Cover
How Jane turned a medical crisis into a launchpad for financial freedom
The luxury rental property that nets Jane over $6,000 a month
How to find more affordable real estate deals (beyond your backyard)
How to (legally) avoid paying capital gains tax when selling an investment property
Maximizing your monthly cash flow with short-term rental investing
Planning and completing a successful renovation project (step by step)
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-662
Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email [email protected].
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5 January 2026, 12:00 pm - 24 minutes 10 secondsDeal of a Lifetime? How to Structure a Win-Win Seller Financing Deal (Rookie Reply)
Money is often the biggest barrier standing between a rookie investor and their first deal, but there’s a creative way to buy a rental property that doesn’t require draining your savings or putting much down at all. We’re talking about seller financing. In today’s market, you may have even more leverage to negotiate these kinds of deals. Tune in as we break one of them down!
Welcome to another Rookie Reply! We’re back with more questions from the BiggerPockets Forums, including one from an investor who’s struggling to find great real estate deals due to higher mortgage rates. While it’s true that today’s rates could eat away at some of your cash flow, you can still find properties that meet your long-term goals. Waiting for rates to drop could cost you!
Don’t have the cash for your next investment property? There’s a creative financing strategy that could allow you to put very little (or no) money down. We share how to negotiate and structure one of these deals so that it’s a win-win for both sides. Finally, should you move to invest in real estate? How do you pick the right market? It’s not as tricky as you probably think!
Looking to invest? Need answers? Ask your question here!
In This Episode We Cover
The keys to negotiating and structuring a seller financing deal
How to find and analyze cash-flowing real estate deals in 2026
The huge opportunity cost of waiting for mortgage rates to drop
How to pick a real estate market that aligns with your investing goals
Whether you should move to invest in real estate (or stay put!)
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-661
Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email [email protected].
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2 January 2026, 12:00 pm - 38 minutes 21 secondsHow to Buy Your First Rental Property (7 Steps)
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 2026, step by step!
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 2026 (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!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-660
Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email [email protected].
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31 December 2025, 12:00 pm - 39 minutes 37 secondsHow to Build Your 2026 Real Estate Investing Plan
By the time you finish this episode, you’ll have your exact plan for financial freedom through real estate, starting in 2026.
See if you can answer these questions right now: How much money do you want to make every month? When do you (realistically) want to retire? How much real estate will it take to get there? And which strategy will actually get you to the finish line?
If you can’t answer all four of those questions, you’re like 99% of real estate investors—buying properties just to “build wealth.” While “building wealth” is worth striving for, it’s not actually a true goal. It's what keeps investors working longer, unsure of when or if they’ve “made it” or how much farther they have to go.
If you do one thing before 2026, do this: define your financial goals. Today, Dave shows you exactly how to do that. You’ll learn the formula to calculate your financial freedom number, how much real estate you’ll need, how long it will take, the one- and three-year goals you should set now, and the best real estate strategies for your situation.
You could be retired in under 10 years if you start in 2026. What are you waiting for?
In This Episode We Cover
How to actually retire with rental properties in 10 years (or less) with a personalized strategy
The best real estate investments for those with low money or little time
How long it will take you to replace your income with real estate
2026 goal-planning that is achievable and gets you closer to early retirement
How it’s possible to double your money in a matter of years by reverse engineering your investments
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-659
Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email [email protected].
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29 December 2025, 12:00 pm - 40 minutes 43 secondsThe 4 Best Types of Rental Properties for NEW Investors to Buy
So, you want to invest in real estate…but where should you start? What’s the best type of rental property for a beginner? It’s easy to become overwhelmed by all the options, but in this episode, we’ll provide the four-step framework you need to make the right choice!
Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! First, we’ll share four steps that will help you pin down the right investing strategy for your budget, lifestyle, and long-term goals. Then, we’ll introduce you to a few of the most beginner-friendly types of rental properties. Are you light on cash? House hacking could help you take down your first investment property with relatively little money out of pocket.
Are you looking to scale your real estate portfolio as quickly as possible? The BRRRR method (buy, rehab, rent, refinance, repeat) is one of the fastest ways to build wealth in real estate. Would you prefer your real estate investments to be mostly hands-off? Perhaps a long-term rental is more your speed.
Stick around till the end to learn about the three most common mistakes we see new investors make and what YOU must do to avoid them!
In This Episode We Cover
The four BEST types of rental properties for new investors
The four-step formula for choosing the right investing strategy
Creative ways to get into real estate investing when you’re light on cash
The secret to scaling your real estate portfolio quickly (without a ton of money)
Three common rookie investing mistakes (and how to avoid them!)
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-658
Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email [email protected].
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