- 45 minutes 56 secondsTwo Rentals, $3,000 Each: The Guide to Closing with Close-to-Nothing
You don't have to live near your rental, or bring a huge check to closing, to build a real estate portfolio. Today’s guest closed both her deals with only $3,000 out of pocket for each deal, and in a city she'd never even visited. We’re walking through how she did it, and how you can get started, too!
Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Thomasina Myresa grew up learning how to save. And while she was good at it, it was only when her career was put on hold that she found BiggerPockets, and the art of investing. After finding her mentor, Thomasina went on to close her first deal just five months later! More impressively, it was out-of-state, and with only $3,000 down.
Thomasina walks us through how she used the seller concession strategy to keep her closing costs tiny—twice, what she looked for in a property management company (and why she fired one within the first week), and how she scaled from a single family rental to now house hacking a $325,000 duplex.
Thomasina’s smart and humble approach to scaling while finding her purpose and niche as a landlord is an all-round inspiring journey, and one that any rookie can relate to! Find out how you can use Thomasina’s strategies to get your journey started in as little as five months!
In This Episode We Cover
The seller concession trick that got her to closing with only $3,000, twice
How a career-halting moment pushed her to pivot into real estate
Saving vs. investing, and the career fool-proofing that real estate offers!
The rent hike mistake that cost her her first tenant, and the lesson it taught her
How to house hack using the rent-by-the-room investing strategy
Why she fired her property manager after just one week
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-770.
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14 September 2026, 5:00 am - 22 minutes 32 secondsShould You Keep or Sell a Rental Property That Needs Work? (Rookie Reply)
Your first rental cash flows just fine, but it needs some work, and in order to scale your portfolio, the next big decision hits: Should you hold and repair, or sell it and cash in? Today, we’ll show you how to tell a “keeper” from a potential money pit before you spend a dollar more!
Welcome back to another Rookie Reply! This week we’re tackling three more questions from the BiggerPockets Forums. First up, we’ll hear from a couple choosing between house hacking and flipping houses and show them why it might not have to be either/or. Next, an NYC investor is debating between two real estate markets, and we’re breaking down how to *make his money go as far as possible.*
Finally, a landlord’s first long-term rental needs significant repairs, and he’s questioning if it’s worth renovating or if it’s finally time to sell. There’s a crucial step he needs to take before making that decision, and we’re uncovering exactly what it is!
Looking to invest? Need answers? Ask your question here!
In This Episode We Cover
How to determine whether you should keep (and fix) or sell a rental property
Why it’s crucial to get real repair estimates before assuming the worst
Why house hacking and flipping don’t have to be mutually exclusive
Financing options that can get you into a property with little to no money down
How to choose between two (great) real estate markets
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-769.
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11 September 2026, 11:00 am - 32 minutes 28 seconds8 Ways to Get More Passive Income from Your Rental Properties
Every hour you spend chasing rent or coordinating a repair is an hour you could’ve spent growing your real estate portfolio or doing the things you actually enjoy. The fix? It’s not working harder, but building the systems that free up your time. When done right, you can get more passive income from your rentals, and we’ll show you exactly how to do it!
Welcome back to another episode of the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Today, we’re breaking down eight ways to get your rentals working for you, so that your portfolio generates more passive income and doesn’t just give you a second job.
No rental is ever fully hands-off, but the right tools, systems, and processes can get you much closer. We’re walking through what that looks like, the difference between property management and asset management, and the software that automates the busywork!
If you want real estate investing to feel more like an actual investment and less like a job, this episode is your roadmap!
In This Episode We Cover
The best ways to get more passive income from your rental properties
The difference between property management and asset management
How buying turnkey real estate or new construction limits maintenance
Software that automates rent collection, maintenance requests, and other tasks
How preventative maintenance saves you time (and money!)
When hiring a virtual assistant is actually worth it
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-768.
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9 September 2026, 11:00 am - 31 minutes 9 secondsHe Started 8 Months Ago. He Already Has 4 Rentals ($6,000 Cash Flow!)
People say it’s just too hard to find real estate deals in 2026, but today’s guest is proving them all wrong. He’s already bought four rental properties that make over $6,000 in monthly cash flow, and he’s been investing in real estate for just eight months.
Joe Crocker is eager to trade his 70-hour workweek for financial freedom, and he’s on track to replace his W-2 income with rental cash flow in the next two years. He’s not finding these properties by building lists, cold calling, or sending mailers. These are regular deals right off the MLS. He buys one, adds some value, pulls his money out, and buys the next one.
It’s a simple investing strategy that anyone can use, yet most people don’t. Meanwhile, Joe has already completed multiple deals this year and is well on his way to building a cash-flowing rental portfolio that gives him the money, time, and freedom he’s always wanted. Follow his model, and there’s no reason why you can’t, too!
In This Episode We Cover
The exact strategy Joe’s using to replace his income with rental cash flow
Scaling to four rental properties in just eight months while working his W-2 job
The simple property tax strategy that can instantly boost your cash flow
How to find overlooked, undervalued real estate deals in 2026 (on the MLS!)
Why you should go into every real estate deal with at least two exit strategies
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-767.
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7 September 2026, 11:00 am - 23 minutes 21 secondsHow to Buy Your First Multifamily Rental With Low Money (Rookie Reply)
You’ve picked an investing strategy, you’ve studied your market, but now you need the money to get started. You’re not alone, as this is perhaps the most common hurdle for rookie investors. But today, we’ll show you how to work around this and get the funding you need, so you can finally buy your first (or next) rental property!
Welcome back to another Rookie Reply! This week, we're tackling three questions from the BiggerPockets Forums. One investor has $250,000 saved but is stuck between strategies in a market where the numbers don't easily work, while a SoCal investor is trying to find a more landlord-friendly real estate market to invest in. We’ll share the one habit that quietly derails a lot of new investors once opportunities start rolling in, and when "close to home" is a real requirement versus just a security blanket.
And our last question comes from someone who needs the actual money to buy his first multifamily property. We’ll share our favorite creative financing options, as well as the two skills any rookie can use to attract potential investing partners!
Looking to invest? Need answers? Ask your question here!
In This Episode We Cover
What to consider before buying in an expensive real estate market
Creative ways to make real estate deals cash flow (even in pricey areas)
How to make consistent, passive returns with private money lending
How to narrow down your ideal market and property type by building a buy box
The skills that make investors want to partner with you (even with low money)
When you should say no to a deal or real estate investing partnership
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-766.
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4 September 2026, 11:00 am - 39 minutes 4 secondsBuild Your First Rental (DON'T Buy One) in 2026
Builders are currently offering huge incentives on new construction homes, to the point where buying "new" might be actually cheaper than buying an existing rental property in your market right now. Today we’re breaking down how this overlooked investing strategy is saving rookies much more than you realize!
Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! This week, we’re making the case for new builds as a very strong rental strategy: why builders are currently offering incentives that are hard to pass on, how to negotiate on a spec home, how to buy them with low money down, and the difference between buying new inventory and building from the ground up.
We’re also digging into walk-in equity and how getting into an early phase of a new community can put you ahead on day one. We’ll also walk you through what to actually budget for land, financing, permitting, and your team before you even commit to a ground-up build.
If you're weighing building versus buying for your next rental, this episode will help you make up your mind. New doesn't have to mean expensive. Sometimes it means a better deal that’s just hiding in plain sight!
In This Episode We Cover
Why many new construction homes are cheaper than resale homes in 2026
Why builders are offering massive incentives (and how to negotiate them!)
The differences between buying a spec home and building from scratch
How walk-in equity works, and how to actually get it on your next property
What to budget for land, permits, and your team before you build
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-765.
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2 September 2026, 11:00 am - 46 minutes 55 secondsHe Made $60,000 in 2 Months with This “Failed” Real Estate Deal
Every rookie thinks their first deal will go according to plan (it almost never does). Today, we’re bringing on a guest who had a long list of all the worst-case scenarios that happened to him, and still walked away winning (to the tune of $60,000!). He’s walking us through it all, so you can master your first deal, too!
Welcome back to another episode of the Real Estate Rookie Podcast! This week, we’re sitting down with Caleb Smith, a real estate agent who bought his first rental at 21 with next to nothing in the bank, and then watched two very different deals go sideways in two very different ways! One taught him an expensive lesson about lenders. The other got hit by a zoning surprise nobody could have predicted, and forced him to pivot on the spot.
Getting your numbers right isn't always enough. Sometimes the thing that changes everything isn't the market, the property, or the strategy—it's something buried in a permit office you never saw coming!
If you're trying to figure out how to get your first deal done with limited capital, wondering what can quietly derail your plan, or just want to hear how a rookie handles it when things don't go the way he expected—today’s episode has real numbers, real setbacks, and a few hard-won lessons worth taking with you into your next deal!
In This Episode We Cover
How Caleb bought his first rental at 21 with only $2,000 to his name
Pivoting to a live-in flip strategy (and the huge benefits of doing so!)
How to knock on doors to find off-market investment properties
Turning a seller credit into an interest rate buydown
The $10,000 origination fee mistake that taught him to shop lenders
Surviving a falling chimney, botched kitchen, and a zoning reversal mid-deal!
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-764.
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31 August 2026, 11:00 am - 23 minutes 42 secondsHow to Prepare for Your First Rental Property (Beginner Steps) (Rookie Reply)
Don’t feel ready to buy your first rental property yet? Maybe you just need a better game plan. Today, we’re covering three different but common situations rookies find themselves in leading up to that first deal. Whether you need a few actionable first steps or an extra push, we’ll show you how to get started as soon as possible!
Welcome back to another Rookie Reply! This week, we’re tackling three questions from rookies who all have the same underlying worry: they don’t feel ready to invest in real estate. First up, we’ll hear from a college student with one year left to figure out financing, savings, and education before he buys. Someone else is thinking about long-distance investing and building his team, and finally, a listener with some money saved wants to take the next step toward building his real estate portfolio. The catch? He lives in one of the most expensive markets in the country.
We’re breaking down all the possible solutions, including house hacking strategies, how to think about FHA and conventional financing, why cash reserves matter—even on a primary residence—and the remote management tools that make investing from anywhere possible!
Looking to invest? Need answers? Ask your question here!
In This Episode We Cover
How to prepare to buy your first rental property (step by step)
The software stack that makes remote property management (much) easier
Creative ways to start building a rental portfolio in an expensive high-cost market
How to invest in real estate from long distance (or even overseas)
Why you should always have cash reserves (for each property!)
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-763.
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28 August 2026, 11:00 am - 38 minutes 47 secondsStarter Homes Are Back. Here’s Exactly Where to Buy One
For years, rookies have heard the same bad news: starter homes are disappearing, and first-time buyers are getting older. But the newest data shows something very different, and we’re breaking down how these recent changes can help you buy your first or next rental property in 2026!
Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Nationally, fewer than four in 10 non-homeowner households can afford a typical starter home. But in some states, things are getting a little easier. We’re breaking down where this market opening exists, where the headlines can be misleading, and how to turn a smaller new construction home or an overlooked resale home into a profitable investment property.
We’re also sharing our own starter home stories, the difference between an affordable home and a “cheap” one, and a five-part screening checklist that will help you separate the two before making an offer. Whether you’re looking to buy a house or find a more affordable real estate market to invest in, stay tuned to learn exactly how to spot a smart next deal!
In This Episode We Cover
What a starter home really looks like in today's market
Which real estate markets have the most affordable starter homes for sale
The critical difference between an affordable and “cheap” rental property
How to take advantage of builder incentives on new construction homes
Why "mom and pop" resale homes are some of the best real estate deals in 2026
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-762.
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26 August 2026, 11:00 am - 56 minutes 27 seconds20 Rental Units with a Full-Time Job & 7 Kids: She Did It in 5 Years!
What if the biggest obstacle to building wealth wasn't your income, your time, or even your circumstances, but simply believing it was possible for someone like you? Today’s guest made the decision that her past won’t be her children’s future. Real estate made that choice possible!
Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Angela Wassom is proof that real estate really can be for anyone that puts their mind to it. While working full-time and raising seven kids, she's built a 20-unit portfolio across four states—starting with a rental she was genuinely afraid to take on. Angela breaks down how she built a team in markets she'd never set foot in, spotted a listing mistake that turned into a five-figure win, and used one financing strategy to fund nearly every deal since!
She also shares the story of a lender who finally said yes after everyone else said no, and the tenant placement that brought her whole journey full circle. By the end of this episode, you'll see exactly how much is possible with the time and resources you already have!
In This Episode We Cover
How growing up in HUD housing shaped Angela’s mindset of becoming a landlord
Building a remote investing team in markets you’ll never set foot in
The MLS listing mistake that turned into a $10,000 repair windfall
How a HELOC strategy has funded nearly every deal for Angela
Why every lender said no to Angela’s newest short-term rental, until one didn't (and why it was so worth it!)
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-761.
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24 August 2026, 11:00 am - 23 minutes 8 secondsCan You Buy a Rental Property With Only $5,000? (Rookie Reply)
Feel like your situation doesn't fit the typical real estate investing playbook? Maybe you’re low on cash, your circumstances are unusual, or your timeline feels tighter than everyone else's. You're not alone, and today's episode proves it. But thankfully, we’ve got answers!
Welcome to another Rookie Reply! We’re back with three questions from the BiggerPockets Forums, the first of which comes from a rookie who has very little money saved: Can you buy a rental property with just $5,000? We’ll share some creative ways to get started with low money down!
Next, we’ll hear from someone who wants to invest in U.S. real estate from another country, pointing them to the tools and resources they’ll need to invest remotely. Finally, is it ever too late to start investing? Maybe you’re already eyeing retirement and wondering if rental properties can even fit into your overall strategy. Stick around until the end to find out!
Looking to invest? Need answers? Ask your question here!
In This Episode We Cover
A decade-long plan for late starters looking to retire with real estate
How to turn your primary residence into an entire real estate portfolio
Using creative financing (like seller financing) without taking on extra risk
Why you need cash reserves with every real estate deal
How to build your own real estate team when investing remotely
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-760.
Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email [email protected].
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