Podcast
Real Estate Rookie
Hosted by BiggerPockets · EN
Ready to build your real estate empire… but not sure where to begin?
Think of us as your personal trainer.
From detailed breakdowns of real-world deals… to one-on-one coaching sessions and a warm, welcoming community… hosts Ashley Kehr and Tony J Robinson bring on a wide range of guests to tackle the “newbie” questions you've wondered about but might be afraid to ask.
Looking to 10X your real estate investing business this year? This show isn’t for you.
Looking for your first, second, or third deal -- or envisioning a more modest portfolio? Step right up.
Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, we’ll arm you with the tips, tools, and roadmaps you'll need as you embark on your journey toward financial freedom.
245episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
He Was Making Just $12/Hour: Now He Owns 7 Rental Properties (10 Units)
Yesterday00:40:12Summary readyYou don’t need a big market, huge salary, or even a college degree to invest in real estate. Today’s guest had a very simple goal when he started: replace his $12/hour construction job. He’s already achieved that, and today, he owns seven rental properties…and counting! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Nathan Shelby has dabbled in several investing strategies, from mobile home lots to fixer uppers. But he’s recently landed on a strategy that allows him to use the BRRRR method (buy, rehab, rent, refinance, repeat) on new construction homes—just without the renovations. Despite investing in a relatively small town, one of these properties appraises for roughly twice the cost to build it, allowing Nathan to pull 100% of his cash out for the next one! Nathan has found his groove in the last couple of years, but it wasn’t always smooth sailing. In this episode, he shares some of the biggest mistakes he made early on—pitfalls you can easily avoid. Stay tuned to learn about the systems and tools you should implement on day one, how to dial in your tenant screening process, and why new construction is often easier than renovating! In This Episode We Cover How Nathan scaled to 10 rental units without a big salary or college degree How to find highly profitable real estate deals outside of the MLS Why new construction is often easier than rental renovations Must-have systems and tools to build and scale your real estate portfolio Three of the biggest mistakes new investors make (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-725. Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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How to Pay (Much) Less in Taxes as a Real Estate Investor (Rookie Reply)
4d ago00:24:11Summary readyRental properties can give you cash flow, appreciation, and loan paydown from tenants. But tax benefits are often the unsung hero of real estate investing. Today, we’re sharing some of the best real estate tax strategies so you can keep more of your hard-earned money from Uncle Sam! Welcome back to another Rookie Reply! Should you do a cost segregation study? Many investors use this tax strategy to accelerate depreciation and create massive paper losses, but what’s the catch? Stay tuned as we break down the potential pitfalls and everything you need to know before getting started. What about a 1031 exchange? This strategy allows you to defer capital gains taxes when selling a rental property, but what if you’re flipping houses? Every landlord wants a great tenant in their rental property, but how do you find them? From credit scores and income requirements to employment verification and background checks, we show you how to dial in your tenant screening criteria so that you make the best possible decision! Looking to invest? Need answers? Ask your question here! In This Episode We Cover Real estate tax strategies that will help you keep more money from the IRS How to accelerate rental property depreciation with a cost segregation study Offsetting your active income with the short-term rental tax “loophole” The two ways to qualify for Real Estate Professional Status (REPS) How to select the best tenant for your rental property (fairly and legally) Whether you can do a 1031 exchange when flipping a house And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-724. Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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How to Get a 3% Mortgage Rate on Your Rental Property (Still Works in 2026)
6d ago00:25:26Summary readyDid you know that you could get a 3% mortgage rate on your next rental property? With rates hovering around 6%-7%, this would shave hundreds of dollars off your monthly mortgage payment and save you a few hundred thousand dollars in total interest. That alone could flip a deal with negative cash flow into a profitable one. But rates don’t appear to be coming down any time soon. So, how is this possible? Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Today, we’re talking about assumable mortgages—existing loans that have rates as low as 3%. These aren’t “goldilocks” properties that only the luckiest investors find. There are millions of them all across the U.S., and we’ll show you exactly how to find them. Stay tuned to learn everything you need to know about these loans, like how to cover the “equity gap” that many of these properties have, a six-step process for taking over an existing mortgage, and the biggest pitfalls to avoid along the way. If you’re struggling to find properties that cash flow, this investing strategy could be the answer you’ve been looking for! In This Episode We Cover Everything you need to know about assumable mortgages before you buy The main difference between assumable and subject-to deals The three main types of government-backed, assumable loans Six steps to find, buy, and close on an assumable mortgage The “equity gap” explained, and how to find “sweet spot” properties The best places to find assumable properties for sale online And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-723. Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Making Over $10,000/Month with Just One Rental Property
1w ago00:43:19Summary readyFear your market is too competitive for you to stand out? Today’s guest bought her first rental property right before developers started buying up the land around her. Thankfully, she didn’t back down. Since then, her property has already climbed to the top 1% of Airbnb listings and now brings in over $10,000 a month! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Erin Robinson had always wanted to invest in real estate, but she didn’t just want another boring rental property. She wanted to build her own “luxury” stay—a private retreat that could double as her own vacation rental. And that’s exactly what she did, strategically investing in high-value amenities and highlighting her property’s best features. Despite only launching recently, Erin’s property already makes five figures per month and is booked nearly three months out! From unique design features that will help your property pop to booking tips that will maximize your revenue, Erin has all the secrets to designing a successful short-term rental. If you want to launch a high-performing Airbnb property from scratch, this episode is for you! In This Episode We Cover How Erin turned her first rental into a profitable Airbnb (making $10,000/month) The best “luxury” items to prioritize when designing your short-term rental Tips and tricks to get your rental property to the top 1% of Airbnb listings How to create the ideal guest experience (and get more five-star ratings) The two biggest mistakes Erin made when renovating her property And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-722. Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Paying Off a Rental Property vs. Buying More: Which One Wins? (Rookie Reply)
2w ago00:23:21Summary readyShould you pay off your mortgage early or buy more rental properties? The first option gives you peace of mind, while the other allows you to build wealth much faster. In this episode, we’re fleshing out both strategies so you can make the right choice! Welcome back to another Rookie Reply! What’s better—a debt-free property or a larger real estate portfolio? The answer depends entirely on the investor, but we’ll help you determine the best path for you. As a new landlord, it’s only a matter of time before you’ll need to make repairs to your property. But what if that “repair” is something major, like replacing an HVAC unit? We’ll show you how to prepare for the worst before you buy! Finally, how do you know if you’re analyzing a rental property correctly? It might look like a good deal on the surface, but what if you’re overlooking some major red flags? Follow our tips, and you might just dodge a mistake you could regret later! Looking to invest? Need answers? Ask your question here! In This Episode We Cover Paying off your mortgage early versus buying more rental properties Using your home equity to scale your rental portfolio faster How to budget for major rental property repairs and maintenance How much every rookie investor should have in reserves (per property) Common red flags you can’t afford to miss when analyzing real estate deals And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-721. Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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He Had No Money for His First Deal: 5 Years Later, He Owns 17 Properties
2w ago00:44:30Summary readyRookies think they need millions to invest in commercial real estate, but that’s only a myth, and today’s guest is about to show you why. In this episode, we’re talking all about an asset that might sound big and scary but is actually much easier to buy than you probably think: self storage! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Cameron Barsanti has owned single-family homes, multifamily properties, and other assets. But his favorite? Self storage. These large metal boxes have no toilets, no tenants living on the property, and less maintenance than residential real estate. Since zeroing in on self storage just five years ago, Cameron has scaled to a $70+ million portfolio spanning nine states! Today, he’s giving you a complete crash course on the asset—how it works, how it makes money, and everything you need to know to get started. We get into analyzing markets, the ideal tech “stack” for new investors, and much more. So, if you’ve ever wanted to know how to get into self storage, without a ton of money, this episode is for you! In This Episode We Cover How to start investing in self storage facilities in 2026 The number one skill every self storage investor must learn Creative ways to find mom-and-pop self storage facilities for sale The easiest way to find and fund your first self storage deal in 2026 The most important factor when analyzing a self storage market And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-720. Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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From No Time or Money to Doing 6-Figure Real Estate Deals (With 8 Kids!)
2w ago00:35:53Summary readyDon’t have enough time or money to invest in real estate? These are, by far, the two most common roadblocks for new investors. Today’s guest didn’t let them stop her. Instead, she used creative means to find and fund real estate deals without much free time or a big bank account. If you follow her blueprint, you’ll be able to do the same! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Beth Decler is a homeschooling mother of eight—yes, eight—children, but somehow, some way, she’s also making time for real estate investing. In fact, she and her husband have done five real estate deals and made six-figure profits with the live-in flip strategy, all while running their own on-farm business. In this episode, Beth shows you how to find off-market properties (without cold calling), bypass the banks with seller financing, and save thousands in taxes. Now that Beth has used the power of real estate to scale up to her “forever” home, she’s eyeing another investing strategy—one that’s less hands-on but will allow her to keep growing her net worth! In This Episode We Cover How this investing mom is doing six-figure flips (while raising eight kids!) Selling investment properties for tax-free gains using the live-in flip strategy How to negotiate seller financing for your next real estate deal Creative ways to find off-market properties for sale (without cold calling) How to fund real estate deals without traditional bank financing And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-719. Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Should I Keep or Sell My Rental Property? (Huge Equity Gains) (Rookie Reply)
3w ago00:25:49Summary readyHave some home equity built up in one or more of your rental properties? What should you do? Get a line of credit? Sell? You have more options than you think, and in this episode, we’ll help you crunch the numbers and weigh your options so you make the best possible decision! Welcome to another Rookie Reply! There’s a property you want to buy. It’s affordable, it’s in a decent market, and it cash flows. Should you pull the trigger? Not so fast! Sometimes the property that looks like a steal is actually a trap—one that many new investors fall for, including Ashley when she was starting out. Stay tuned to find out why, and then stick to her advice! Next, maybe you have an investment property that has appreciated by six figures since buying it a few years ago. Rather than letting the equity sit there, we’ll show you several ways to put it to good use so you can scale your real estate portfolio further. Finally, do you need a landlord-tenant lease agreement when house hacking? Without a doubt, yes. We’ll show you where to find one (or create your own) so you’re fully protected! Looking to invest? Need answers? Ask your question here! In This Episode We Cover The best ways to tap into your investment property’s home equity When to sell a rental property and realize the home equity gains The difference between return on investment (ROI) and return on equity (ROE) Deferring capital gains taxes on a property sale through a 1031 exchange Whether you should ever buy the “cheap,” cash-flowing rental property Whether you need a landlord-tenant lease agreement when house hacking And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-718. Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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The 2-Year Blueprint for Buying Your First Rental Property (Starting from Zero)
3w ago00:36:04Summary readyYou want to buy a rental property, but there’s one problem: you don’t have the money! The good news? You’re not as far away as you probably think. If you want to save as much money as possible for a down payment, today’s guest will show you how. In just two years, she went from zero to building a strong financial foundation and taking down her first property! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! When Mimi Fall was laid off from her W-2 job, it was the last straw. In that moment, she decided to take responsibility for her financial future, and that meant getting a better job, cracking down on spending, and throwing every extra dollar toward savings. All of Mimi’s hard work paid off, as within two years, she was able to buy her very first rental property. Today, she rents out rooms to tenants, and the total rental income covers her entire mortgage payment and then some. In this episode, she shares her step-by-step roadmap for getting your finances in check, her favorite personal finance tips and tools, and property-saving advice for all new landlords! In This Episode We Cover How to save money (faster) and buy your first or next rental property Mimi’s journey from being laid off to chasing financial freedom Covering your mortgage (and then some) with the rent-by-the-room strategy How to lay a strong personal finance foundation (starting from scratch) How to pin down your long-term real estate investing goals And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-717. Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Making $10,000/Month Cash Flow from 5 Rental Properties in Just 5 Years
3w ago00:46:04Summary readyHad enough of the nine-to-five grind? Then it’s time to start engineering your exit with assets that will give you more time, flexibility, and financial freedom: rental properties. Today’s guest will show you how to replace your salary with cash flow and finally start living on your terms! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Jamie Trickett had the cozy, corner-office job most people dream of, but it wasn’t enough. With a three-hour daily commute on top of a 40+ hour workweek, she had very little time left for her boys. Something had to give. So, Jamie took a leap of faith and bought her first rental property. What was initially intended as a retirement asset quickly evolved into another steady income stream. Just two years later, she quit her W-2 job to go all-in on real estate investing and has stacked five rental properties in five years. Jamie hasn’t just scaled to $10,000 in monthly cash flow. She’s also saved six figures in taxes through cost segregation studies and other overlooked tax deductions. You don’t need dozens of rentals to do what Jamie’s doing. Stay tuned to learn how YOU can copy her success with a “small and mighty” portfolio! In This Episode We Cover How Jamie quit her job with a “small and mighty” real estate portfolio Making $10,000 in monthly cash flow with just five rental properties Replacing your W2 income with rental property cash flow How to save thousands in taxes with a cost segregation study Building a real estate business that gives you control of your time How to stop “shiny object syndrome” from derailing your investing goals And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-716. Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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