Podcast
Real Estate Rookie
Hosted by BiggerPockets · EN
New to real estate investing and not sure where to start? Ashley Kehr and Tony J. Robinson break down the basics with real-world deal analysis, investor interviews and listener Q&A.
277episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
He Started Investing in His 40s, Now He’s on Track to Retire with Rentals
Jun 2900:30:26Summary readyNot everyone gets into real estate investing when conditions are perfect. Some, like our next guest, get in because they have no other choice. The path Brent Beard was on just wasn’t cutting it anymore–especially when people were depending on him. If your back’s against the wall and you want to build a better life for your family, rental properties could be the answer! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Brent is a real estate agent in training and investor in the Kansas City area who bought his first duplex in 2025. He did it while working a full-time W-2 job, serving in the National Guard, studying for his real estate licence, and raising his granddaughter. Owning rental properties wasn’t always on Brent’s radar, but last July, he picked up a book that changed his whole philosophy. Despite starting in his 40s, Brent has closed on his first deal and is aiming to retire in 10 years! Brent isn't here with a polished success story, but a real one. He dives into the property tax mistake nobody warned him about that nearly doubled his bill overnight, the buy box he had to abandon to find a deal that actually cash flowed, and the one thing he wishes someone had told him before he closed! If you have a full schedule, real responsibilities, and every reason to keep putting real estate on the back burner, Brent's story is proof that the biggest mistake is simply not starting! In This Episode We Cover What finally pushed Brent to take action on his first real estate deal Juggling a W-2 job, military service, and real estate without dropping the ball The rookie-friendly tools and processes Brent used to analyze his first duplex The property tax mistake that nearly doubled Brent’s bill (and what to check before you close!) The huge investing advantages you get by becoming a real estate agent And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-737. 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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My Property Is Losing Money: Should I Sell or Pivot? (Rookie Reply)
Jun 2600:18:03Summary readyThe property you spent months working on is about to lose you money. What should you do? Sell? Pivot? Invest for long enough and you’re bound to run into this scenario at some point. But not to worry—today, we’re showing you exactly what to do when things go south! Welcome to another Rookie Reply! We’re back with three more questions from the BiggerPockets Forums. One investor is about to lose money flipping a house and needs a way out or a reason to stay in. Another is about to form a real estate investing partnership but is missing one critical element that could change the entire deal. And if you’re in the exciting final stages of closing on a rental property, or you're already sitting with the keys, wondering what on earth to do now that you're a landlord, we’ve got the answers! Ashley and Tony have been in all three of these situations, and Tony’s in one of them right now! Looking to invest? Need answers? Ask your question here! In This Episode We Cover When to sell a struggling flip (at a loss) or convert it to a rental property The one thing almost nobody considers before creating a real estate partnership Why a 50/50 equity partnership is actually fairer than it feels when one partner brings all the money The biggest differences between a joint venture and an LLC (limited liability company) Why forming an LLC on your first partnership deal might be a mistake What to tackle in your first 30 days after closing (and what can wait!) And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-736. 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 $29,000/Month from One “Boring” Property (1,000 Miles Away)
Jun 2400:46:13Summary readyWhat if the best real estate investment isn’t the one with tenants, toilets, or employees, but the low-maintenance property everyone else is ignoring? Today’s guest is making thousands each month from one of these properties, and there are many more just like it. She’ll show you exactly how to find them! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Today we're sitting down with Bree Hartman, who went from one “accidental” rental property to building a $6 million self-storage portfolio–all while pregnant, working her W-2 job as a personal trainer, and cold calling self-storage owners on her lunch breaks. She did all of this as a complete newbie to commercial real estate from the other side of the country! Bree breaks down how she finds off-market self-storage facilities using a single tool, the exact cold calling script she uses to get baby boomer owners talking, and how she structured her very first seller financing deal. She even shares the five-point blueprint that shows YOU exactly where to invest. If you've been sleeping on self-storage, our conversation with Bree will wake you up to one of the most underrated assets right now! Looking to invest? Need answers? Ask your question here! In This Episode We Cover How Bree finds off-market self-storage deals hiding in plain sight The exact cold calling script that gets bored retirees to sell (and a live example!) Buying a $3.1 million facility with zero commercial experience The seller financing trick that got an owner to say yes–it's not what you'd expect The five-point blueprint for finding markets where you'll never compete with the big players And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-735. 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 House Hack Your Way Out of $200K in Student Loan Debt!
Jun 2200:38:51Summary readyAt 31, James sat down at a kitchen table with his wife Aida, ran the numbers on the next 30 years, and didn't like what he saw—$200,000 in student loans and a retirement plan neither of them believed in. So they stopped waiting for a change, and built something instead. Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Our guest, James Doren, and wife, Aida, didn't have a trust fund or an obvious path forward. They had a spreadsheet, a private money lender, and an empty space above their garage. This accessory dwelling unit (ADU) solution added 50% value on their equity, wiped out their student loans, and set them on a path that most investors never consider: intentionally shrinking their portfolio from 10 doors to 4. But the deal that surprised them most didn't come from an agent or Zillow. It came from a tenant who knocked on their door with a problem the bank couldn't solve! James breaks down the house hack that started it all, how he convinced a private money lender to fund the build, and the rent-to-own agreement he structured for his tenant that gave both sides exactly what they needed. If you've ever sat at your own kitchen table and wondered if there's a better way…James's story is your proof that there is! In This Episode We Cover How James and Aida used weekly money dates to align on their financial goals and take their first step into real estate The ADU build that created $160K in equity How to approach a private money lender and handle the tough questions Why James intentionally sold 6 properties and why owning fewer doors actually made him more money! The rent-to-own agreement a tenant brought to them: how it works, what an option fee is, and why it removed all their risk And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-734. 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 Real Estate LLC Mistake That Could Cost You Thousands (Rookie Reply)
Jun 1900:26:24Summary readyDo you need a real estate LLC, and should you form one before or after buying a rental property? This is a very common rookie question, and liability protection is one of the most misunderstood topics in real estate investing. But not to worry—today we’re setting the record straight and showing you how to build bulletproof protection for you and your assets! Welcome back to another Rookie Reply! Does a rental property have to make positive cash flow for it to be considered a “good” deal? If you’re using the house hacking strategy, maybe not! In today’s episode, we’ll share exactly why this is often the exception to the rule. Finally, what’s the best way to fund rental renovations? In most cases, lenders will help you finance the purchase of a rental property, but you’ll have to scrounge up the money for your renovations—except if you use an FHA 203(k) loan. How do these loans work, and what are the pros and cons? Stick around to find out! Looking to invest? Need answers? Ask your question here! In This Episode We Cover Whether a rental property needs to cash flow if you’re house hacking LLCs, umbrella policies, and other types of liability protection explained Whether you need to form an LLC before buying a rental property What to know before transferring ownership from your personal name to an LLC How to fund your purchase and renovations with a 203(k) loan And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-733. 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 Easiest Ways to Find Off-Market Properties in 2026 (Our Exact Playbook)
Jun 1700:32:45Summary readyMany rookies assume the best real estate deals are already listed on the market, but what if that’s not the case? The truth is, it’s getting harder and harder to find rental properties on the MLS that actually pencil out. Thankfully, there are dozens of ways to find profitable off-market properties that can make you more money, and today, we’re sharing our exact playbook! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! The term “off market” is thrown around as an easier way to buy real estate, but most rookies don’t actually know where to start. In this episode, we’re breaking down how we found, funded, and closed our very first off-market deals—as complete beginners. You’ll hear about Ashley’s 12-unit acquisition that doubled in value and Tony’s very first wholesale real estate deal that made him $30,000! But that’s not all. Beyond driving for dollars and direct mail, we’re sharing our favorite strategies to use in 2026. With all kinds of tips for sourcing deals, structuring offers, and negotiating with sellers, there’s no reason why you can’t go out and buy your first off-market property this year! In This Episode We Cover How Ashley bought six duplexes (12 units), off-market, from ONE seller How Tony pocketed $30,000 on his very first wholesale deal The one major advantage rookies have when buying off-market properties How to use the driving for dollars strategy to uncover “hidden” real estate deals Why you should always make multiple offers on an investment property The main difference between assumable mortgages and subject-to deals And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-732. 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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She Lost $85,000, Then Made It All Back with a Single Rental Property
Jun 1500:39:32Summary readyReal estate bookkeeping might not be the most thrilling part of owning a rental property, but it’s often the difference between bleeding money each month and earning cash flow you can count on. Today’s guest will show you exactly how to get your books in check so you can make your properties even more profitable! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Grace Wills is a CPA, a homeschooling mom, and a self-described “risk-averse” investor. So, when her husband suggested they buy an investment property back in 2018, she was skeptical. However, it didn’t take long for that first property to start generating plenty of cash flow, at which point Grace saw that real estate investing was far less “risky” than many other investments. Fast forward to today, and Grace owns a real estate portfolio that’s creating long-term wealth for her family, despite losing money on three different house flips. In this episode, she shares the importance of having a mentor to help you navigate the ebbs and flows of real estate, why bookkeeping is one of the most underrated skills, and some of her favorite tools and software for new investors! In This Episode We Cover Why Grace never gave up on real estate (even after three “failed” house flips) The four people every real estate investor needs in their corner The two-part software “stack” every new investor should have The biggest challenges when going into real estate investing with family What to know before putting your rental property in an S corporation Why you should always speak to multiple lenders before getting financing And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-731. 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 Best Property Management Software for Small Landlords (Rookie Reply)
Jun 1200:22:33Summary readyThinking about self-managing your rental property? Then, you’ll need property management software to help with things like processing applications, collecting rent, and managing maintenance requests. In this episode, we’re sharing our favorite tools so you can pick the right one for your portfolio! Welcome back to another Rookie Reply! There are dozens of property management tools floating around, but which ones are best for new landlords? Ashley breaks down the different categories of landlord software and shares four steps to finding the right option for you. Next, are regulations slowly killing the short-term rental industry? The short answer is no. However, there are two things every investor should do before committing to a short-term rental market, and Tony’s going to tell you what they are! Finally, we’ll get into wholesaling, a strategy that could help kickstart your real estate investing journey without having thousands of dollars to deploy. We’ll show you how the entire wholesaling process works and three easy ways to find deals today! Looking to invest? Need answers? Ask your question here! In This Episode We Cover The best property management tools for beginner landlords Four steps to finding the right property management software for you What heightened regulations mean for the future of short-term rentals Whether short-term rentals are still a viable investing strategy in 2026 Three ways to start wholesaling today (with low money!) And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-730. 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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Big Changes I’m Making to My Portfolio This Year (That Will Make Me Richer)
Jun 1000:40:22Summary readyMany rookies think things become easy once you’ve built a large real estate portfolio, but that’s far from true. Even with 26 short-term rentals, a 13-unit hotel, and a few house flips under his belt, Tony deals with many of the typical rookie challenges. In today’s episode, he’s sharing the lessons he’s learned and the rental pivots he’s making so YOU can grow and scale like him! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Last time we checked in with Tony about his real estate business, he was in the process of stabilizing his new hotel. Now, with an entire calendar year in the books, we’ll revisit the property and how it’s performing today. We’ll also hear about Tony’s next hotel investment and how he’s approaching it differently now that he has proof of concept. Tony also outlines the best course of action for new investors who want to break into the short-term rental space in 2026. Finally, what does a day in the life of a full-time real estate investor look like? Tony gives you an inside look at the flexibility he enjoys by owning rental properties that you don’t get with a nine-to-five job! In This Episode We Cover Rental pivots Tony’s making in 2026 for even bigger returns Updates on Tony’s rental portfolio and his 13-unit hotel investment The biggest pain points when investing in a smaller real estate market What Tony’s average week looks like as a full-time real estate rental investor First steps for rookies looking to invest in short-term rentals in 2026 How to build a real estate business that gives you more freedom and flexibility And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-729. 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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She Started Investing in College and Already Has 5 Rental Units (And Counting)
Jun 800:43:28Summary readyThe real estate investing moves you make today could change your life. Those in their 40s, 50s, and 60s often look back and regret not starting sooner. Today’s guest isn’t letting that happen, and in this episode, she’ll show YOU how to take advantage when that next rental property comes your way! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! When Megan Chou’s father challenged her to read the personal finance classic, Rich Dad Poor Dad, little did she know it would completely alter her life’s trajectory. The book’s lessons on building wealth inspired her to stash her money away in a brokerage account and, at just 20 years old, buy her very own rental property—a townhome she house hacked with her best friend. Then, only two years later, right as she was graduating from college, she took down a fourplex—renovating each unit while living in it, one by one. Stay tuned as Megan shares how she leveraged her home equity to buy it, what went wrong after buying the property, and how she stayed resilient when her property started fighting back! In This Episode We Cover How Megan bought her first two rental properties (while still in college!) How to fund your next investment property using your existing home equity What Zillow, Redfin, and the MLS can’t tell you about properties or neighborhoods Bouncing back from ice, raccoons, and plumbing failure on the same property Two crucial things to do when experiencing a setback with your property And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-728. 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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