Real Estate Rookie
BiggerPockets
- 25 minutes 23 secondsHow to Find Great Real Estate Deals in 2026 (Before Anyone Else) (Rookie Reply)
Not knowing the difference between a “good” real estate deal and a “bad” one keeps many rookies on the sidelines. If this is the one hurdle preventing you from buying your first rental property, don’t worry—today’s episode will give you the confidence to find, analyze, and buy a great deal in 2026!
Welcome back to another Rookie Reply! We’ve got three new questions from the BiggerPockets Forums, the first of which comes from someone who’s struggling to find the right investment property. As you’re about to hear, a good deal for one person might be a bad deal for another, so the key is pinning down your real estate investing goals. We’ll show you how to do just that and provide you with a few key metrics and rules of thumb to make your decision a little easier!
Next, do you need to hire a general contractor when renovating a house, or can you oversee the work yourself? The answer is more nuanced than you probably think. Finally, we’ll tackle every rookie’s million-dollar question: Is now the best time to invest in real estate, or is it safer to wait out 2026? We set the record straight!
Looking to invest? Need answers? Ask your question here!
In This Episode We Cover
How to identify “good” real estate deals (and dodge the “bad” ones!)
The number one thing to determine before buying an investment property
Key metrics and rules of thumb to use when analyzing rental properties
Whether you need to hire a general contractor for your renovation project
Whether you should buy a rental property in 2026 (or wait a little longer!)
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-652
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12 December 2025, 12:00 pm - 37 minutes 18 secondsI Built a Real Estate Business That Replaced My High-Paying W2 (Here’s How)
Many rookies assume it’s easier to buy a rental property in their own market, but today’s guest proved you don’t need to by taking down his first deal in another area of the country, sight unseen. And good thing he did, because it not only pocketed him $250,000 but also gave him the confidence to leave his W2 job, move to another country, and go all in on real estate investing!
Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Stephen Keighery was living in one of the most unaffordable cities in Australia when he decided to try his hand in another market. Then, after a few home-run deals, Stephen packed up and moved across the world to New Orleans, where he’s since built his own real estate business. By pairing wholesaling and the BRRRR method (buy, rehab, rent, refinance, repeat), he earns active income while rapidly scaling his portfolio!
Stephen’s secret? He knows his strengths and uses them to his advantage—leveraging his marketing and sales background to grow his network and build rapport with potential sellers. In this episode, he’ll show you how to dig into the data and identify up-and-coming markets, hunt down off-market properties, and close!
In This Episode We Cover
How Stephen made $250,000 in profit from his very first real estate deal
Building a real estate business that can replace your W2 income
How to scale your real estate portfolio from anywhere in the world
Using public data to identify up-and-coming real estate markets
How to land your first wholesale real estate deal (in six months or less)
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-651
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10 December 2025, 12:00 pm - 45 minutes 26 secondsHe “Stacked” 5 Properties in 6 Years: Now He Lives and Travels for Free!
Most rookies buy rental properties for monthly cash flow or long-term appreciation, but for today’s guest, the enormous tax benefits were the biggest driver. Whether you’re looking to achieve true financial freedom, leave your W-2 job, or keep more of your hard-earned money from the tax man, this episode is for you!
Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Ross Alcorn was very good at his medical sales job, but he was slowly burning out. His breaking point? Paying over $175,000 in taxes (in one year!) and still getting hit with a surprise $33,000 tax bill. He knew there had to be a better way to not only make a living but also build long-term wealth, and after a few conversations, he plunged headfirst into real estate investing—taking down five deals in just six years!
In this episode, you’ll learn how real estate tax benefits often outweigh cash flow, appreciation, and loan paydown in many cases—especially if you’re a high-income earner or full-time investor. But that’s not all. Stick around, and Ross will also share the real estate side hustle he uses to furnish and renovate his rentals and travel for free!
In This Episode We Cover
How Ross went from job burnout to building a five-property portfolio
How to potentially save thousands on taxes with rental properties
The real estate side hustle that could help pay for your next vacation
The biggest keys to a successful real estate investing partnership
How to drastically reduce your living expenses with the house hacking strategy
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-650
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8 December 2025, 4:00 pm - 30 minutes 43 secondsInheriting Tenants: Instant Cash Flow or Huge Headache? (Rookie Reply)
Forming a real estate investing partnership could help you scale your real estate portfolio faster, but if you’re not careful, you could just as easily find yourself in hot water. Want to make sure you structure your partnership in a way that protects you and your assets? Then you won’t want to miss this episode!
Today’s Rookie Reply features more questions from the BiggerPockets Forums and answers from your trusted hosts, Ashley and Tony. First, we hear from a rookie who may be on the verge of making a major blunder with their first partnership, but not to worry—we’ll steer them in the right direction. Our next question comes from someone who’s about to close on their first rental property but is wary of inheriting tenants. What should they do? Offer cash for keys? Delay possession of the property? We’ll break down all of their options!
Finally, how difficult is it to start and scale an Airbnb business today? Our resident short-term rental expert shares some of the tools, systems, and expectations you’ll need to grow a profitable portfolio—no matter the market!
Looking to invest? Need answers? Ask your question here!
In This Episode We Cover
What you must know before structuring a real estate investing partnership
Debt and equity partnerships explained (and which one you should use)
What to do (and not do) when inheriting tenants on a rental property
Whether you can still start an Airbnb business (and be profitable) in this market
Tips, tools, and tricks for scaling your short-term rental portfolio
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-649
Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email [email protected].
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5 December 2025, 12:00 pm - 1 hour 6 minutesHow to Find High-Cash-Flow Vacation Rentals Using “Secret” Airbnb Data
Are we seeing a short-term rental resurgence? Since Airbnb’s big boom in 2021, many investors have shied away from the “oversaturated” short-term rental industry. But is now actually the ideal time for you to buy vacation rentals? Today’s guests believe there’s more opportunity than you might think!
Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Today, we’re joined by Jamie Lane of AirDNA and John Bianchi of STR Search, who are harnessing the power of real estate data to find cash-flow-rich properties and areas across the U.S. The best part? All of these figures, tools, and strategies are available to rookies, who have an edge in smaller markets where the big players don’t want to go.
Whether you’re buying your first rental property or pivoting to short-term rentals, this episode is chock-full of insights for building a profitable Airbnb business. Jamie and John get into the “20-percent rule” for picking profitable short-term rental markets, the biggest investing mistakes to avoid at all costs, and the huge advantage rookies have in the hospitality space!
In This Episode We Cover
Why short-term rentals are still a profitable investing strategy in 2025
How to identify high-cash-flow markets using the “20-percent rule”
The Airbnb amenities that deliver the greatest return on investment (ROI)
The biggest mistakes rookie investors make when analyzing short-term rentals
Small versus large markets (and the dangers of going too small)
Why “conservative” analysis is needed to find a profitable property
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-648
Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email [email protected].
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3 December 2025, 12:00 pm - 39 minutes 51 seconds45 Rentals and $0 Debt: The Money Mindset Shift That Made Me Financially Free
Worried you’ll never be able to buy rental properties because you’re “bad” with money? Today’s guest was in the same boat until a much-needed mindset shift set her on the path towards financial freedom. Since then, she has built a debt-free, 45-property portfolio that gives her more than enough cash flow to live on!
Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Liz Carroll didn’t always have a healthy relationship with money. In college, she would ask her parents to bail her out of credit card debt and have her fiancé cover her car repairs. But one day, something clicked, and Liz realized she needed to take back control of her money. Her ultimate goal? Financial independence—and real estate investing would be how she achieved it. But rather than overleveraging herself, Liz worked hard, saved, and bought properties with minimal debt—paying them off as soon as possible!
In this episode, Liz breaks down her very first deal, a $13,000 property (really!) that gave her the confidence to scale her real estate portfolio. She also talks about niching down and the exit strategy that’s allowing her to offload her properties, one by one, while helping her tenants achieve the dream of homeownership!
In This Episode We Cover
How Liz and her husband built a portfolio of paid-off rental properties
Building and scaling a rental portfolio while working nine to five
How to reframe the way you think about money so you can start investing
Paying off your mortgage (early) to fast-track your investing goals
Why living below your means is a non-negotiable for financial freedom
Streamlining your business by refining your buy box and niching down
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-647
Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email [email protected].
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1 December 2025, 12:00 pm - 28 minutes 51 secondsLocal vs. Out-of-State Investing: Where to Buy Your First Rental (Rookie Reply)
Before you buy a rental property, you’ll need to decide where to invest. Some rookies feel more comfortable investing in their own backyards, while others prefer to handpick a market that will give them enough cash flow or appreciation to reach their long-term goals. But which one will give YOU an advantage?
Welcome to another Rookie Reply! Today, Ashley and Tony are tackling more questions from the BiggerPockets Forums. First, they weigh the pros and cons of investing out of state before debating whether you should get a home equity line of credit (HELOC) on your primary residence to help fund an investment property.
Planning to do a BRRRR (buy, rehab, rent, refinance, repeat)? Then you’ll need to have your financing lined up ahead of time. Should you use a single loan to cover the purchase and rehab, or is it better to fund them separately? We’ll break down all your options. Do you need a property manager? Stick around for some crucial tips and interview questions that will help you make the right choice!
In This Episode We Cover
Whether you should invest locally or out of state for your first real estate deal
The best ways to fund a BRRRR (buy, rehab, rent, refinance, repeat)
Using a home equity line of credit (HELOC) for a down payment
How to find a reliable property manager for your rental property
“Overlooked” property management fees that could kill your cash flow
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-646
Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email [email protected].
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28 November 2025, 12:00 pm - 37 minutes 36 secondsTeacher to Six-Figure Real Estate Investor with This Quick Flip Formula
Laura Sides had zero real estate investing experience not too long ago. But, within just six weeks, she made $100,000 on her first real estate deal. How is that even possible, let alone in 2025? That type of profit is usually reserved for expert real estate investors, not middle-school science teachers! Today, Laura is uncovering the fast-flipping formula that helps her do quick, profitable real estate deals even in her competitive market.
During a beach vacation to Florida, Laura read the personal finance and investing classic Rich Dad Poor Dad, and, seemingly overnight, her brain rewired as she became dead set on multiplying her money instead of working for every dollar. So, she took out a HELOC (home equity line of credit) to buy her first real estate deal, but where would it come from? A chance encounter with a neighbor would set her on a path that would change her life forever.
Now, she’s cracked the house flipping formula, has two killer rental properties she uses as her own vacation homes, and makes significantly more than her teacher’s salary working on her schedule, building wealth her way. Want to be like Laura? We ALL do, and today, she’s sharing how you can do it, too!
In This Episode We Cover
How Laura made a six-figure profit in just six weeks on her FIRST real estate deal
The house flipping formula Laura uses to buy low-stress, quick flips that make great profits
Why you should ALWAYS be friendly with your neighbors (they might sell you their house)
Using a HELOC (home equity line of credit) to buy your first investment property
What Laura looks for on property listings as telltale signs they’ll be good deals
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-645
Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email [email protected].
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26 November 2025, 12:00 pm - 28 minutes 26 secondsWe Bought Our First Rentals with Almost No Money (Here’s How We Did It)
Your first real estate deal doesn’t need to be a home run. If it gives you a little cash flow and the confidence to keep going, it’s worth it. Ashley and Tony had very little real estate investing experience and almost no money saved when they found their first rentals, but they took action, and the rest is history. YOU can do the same!
Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! In this episode, Ashley and Tony are breaking down their very first real estate deals, step by step. They talk about everything from building their buy boxes and analyzing rental properties to funding their deals with help from real estate partners and local banks. Of course, you’ll learn what went right, but you’ll also hear about some of the rookie challenges they had to overcome.
Their first deals weren’t perfect, but they didn’t need to be. These properties gave them the knowledge, skills, and experience to scale their real estate portfolios. Copy their rookie blueprint and you’ll be buying your first, second, and third rental properties in no time!
In This Episode We Cover
How Ashley and Tony found and funded their first real estate deals
How to buy a rental property (step by step) without a big bank account
Low-money-down financing options you probably haven’t heard of
Matching your buy box with your investing strategy and long-term goals
How to manage and complete a home renovation project in a different market
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-644
Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email [email protected].
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24 November 2025, 12:00 pm - 23 minutes 10 secondsWe’re in a “Buyer’s Market”…But Where Are the Real Estate Deals? (Rookie Reply)
This is supposed to be a good time to buy a rental property, right? People keep saying we’re in a “buyer’s market,” and that you have more negotiating power than usual. But how do you find these deals in the first place? If you’re tired of spinning your wheels, we’ve got several strategies, tips, and tricks that will help you find GREAT real estate deals faster!
Welcome to another Rookie Reply! Ashley and Tony are answering more questions from the BiggerPockets Forums, and first up, you’ll hear from a rookie investor who can’t seem to find any good off-market deals. Despite cold calling homeowners and driving for dollars, they keep coming up short. Are they missing something? Should they be looking elsewhere? We’ll point them in the right direction!
Meanwhile, another investor wants to buy a property that could give them huge appreciation, but there’s a catch—it doesn’t cash flow! Stay tuned to learn whether this kind of deal is an automatic no-go or a viable strategy. Finally, what separates “good” and “bad” deals? Is there a certain metric or benchmark all rookies should be looking for when analyzing rental properties? Stick around to find out!
Looking to invest? Need answers? Ask your question here!
In This Episode We Cover
Why many rookie investors struggle to find great real estate deals today
How to find and buy discounted rental properties in this buyer’s market
Investing for cash flow versus appreciation (and which one matters more)
Whether you should buy an investment property that has “negative” cash flow
Using real estate investment analysis to tell a “good” investment from a “bad” one
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-643
Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email [email protected].
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21 November 2025, 12:00 pm - 29 minutes 55 seconds4 Signs You’re Ready to Buy a Rental Property (Sooner Than You Think)
Hesitant to buy a rental property?
Many rookies think they need more money, experience, or even “perfect timing,” but waiting for these things could just be holding you back from building wealth with real estate. If you’re on the fence about investing, or if you need an extra nudge to get off the sidelines, this is the episode for you!
Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Today, Ashley and Tony are sharing four clear signs that you’re ready to buy your first rental property. As you’re about to hear, you don’t need to know everything about real estate investing, have a huge bank account, or stumble across your dream deal to take action. You can start with a little know-how, financial stability, and a clear picture of what you want to achieve with real estate!
We’ll show you how to get your financial house in order, when to stop learning and start doing, and how to niche down to an investing strategy that makes the most sense for you and your long-term goals. Stick around till the end for a special seven-day challenge that could help you take down your first property faster than you thought possible!
In This Episode We Cover
Four clear signs you’re ready to buy your first investment property
Building a strong financial foundation before investing in real estate
The secret to beating analysis paralysis and finally submitting offers
Choosing an investing strategy that aligns with your skills and resources
Next steps to prepare you for buying a rental property (if you’re not ready!)
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-642
Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email [email protected].
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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