Real Estate Rookie: "Making $36,000 in 90 Days with No Real Estate Experience"
Podcast: Real Estate Rookie (BiggerPockets)
Hosts: Ashley Kehr & Tony J. Robinson
Guest: Tori Tyler
Air Date: September 8, 2025
Episode Overview
This episode spotlights Tori Tyler, a former aspiring country musician whose dreams were upended by the pandemic, prompting a pivot to real estate. With no prior investing experience, Tori shares how she and her husband completed their first house flip and netted a $36,000 profit in just 90 days—while juggling parenthood and career transitions. The hosts dissect Tori’s journey from analysis paralysis to action, uncovering actionable tips for other rookies ready to get started.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Tori’s Journey: From Country Music to Real Estate (00:46–06:39)
- Initial Dream: Tori's original plan was to become a country music star in Nashville, with no intention of working in real estate—even though her family was already involved in the field.
- Pandemic Pivot: COVID-19 shut down live music and her waitressing job, forcing Tori to reassess her life and consider more stable, flexible work.
- Getting Licensed: She earned her real estate license to have an income source compatible with music, joined a top ReMax team, learned the ropes, and bought her first home with her husband.
- Motherhood Changes Everything: After her first child, Tori chose to move back to Florida for family support, marking a shift in her priorities.
Notable Quote:
“I had to realize it's okay for your dreams to shift... realizing it's okay that [real estate] is now taking priority where music used to be.”
— Tori Tyler (05:49)
2. First Steps Toward Investing (06:39–09:04)
- Accidental Investor: The sale of their Nashville house netted a significant gain ($305K purchase, $450K sale in a year) and opened Tori’s eyes to real estate’s potential.
- Analysis Paralysis: Tori admits she spent three years consuming content (podcasts, books, meetups) without taking action—until her husband pushed her to finally just do it.
Notable Quote:
“For three years I just took in information and did absolutely nothing...my husband looked at me and was like, okay, you need to stop talking about it and you need to do it.”
— Tori Tyler (07:34)
3. Choosing the Flipping Strategy (11:35–13:59)
- Why Flipping? Inspired by a local mentor, Tori chose flipping over wholesaling or rentals. Flipping seemed engaging, fun, and a project she and her husband could share.
- Networking Pays Off: Tori met a wholesaler at a local event (infant daughter in tow) and was added to their buyer’s list, scoring her first deal shortly thereafter.
4. Analyzing the First Flip: Gut Instincts vs. Facts (13:59–18:30)
- Facing Doubt: Tori’s mentor warned against flipping in that particular ZIP code and buying the "biggest house on the block," but Tori followed her gut after weighing the comps and conditions.
- Mentorship Lessons: The hosts highlight that while mentorship is valuable, choices must ultimately be self-driven. What works for one investor may not for another.
Notable Quote:
“At the end of the day, you have to be responsible and accountable for your own business...somebody else can't be the one to tell you, yes, you should do this or no, you shouldn't.”
— Tori Tyler (18:30)
5. Deal Breakdown: Numbers & Process (20:02–22:08)
- Purchase Price: $118,800
- Renovation Budget: ~$45,000
- Projected ARV (After Repair Value): Wholesaler estimated $210,000, but Tori listed at $225,000 and sold for $228,750 after just four days on market.
- Profit: $36,000 net after all costs
Notable Quote:
“I was just like, hey, if we can break even on our first deal, I'll be happy...so seeing a profit that big was—I mean, for me, $36,000 hitting the bank account was a big deal.”
— Tori Tyler (21:12)
6. Sweat Equity & Project Management (22:08–24:38)
- Role in Rehab: Hired a general contractor for most work, but Tori and her husband contributed by doing fixtures, shutters, landscaping, and other cosmetic touches to reduce costs and create content.
- Obstacle Example: Caught a plumbing mishap early (flooding from a shower), which—while initially a fear—turned into a lesson in problem-solving.
7. Timeline & Lifestyle Fit (24:16–25:09)
- Timeline: Purchase to close—about 3 months; 8 weeks of actual rehab.
- Family Life: Juggled flipping with a W2 job (husband in law enforcement), motherhood, and everyday commitments.
- Flexibility: Real estate flipping allowed the family to adjust their involvement based on schedules.
8. Financing the Flip (25:10–27:59)
- Purchase Funding: Used hard money loan for property, private money (from family) for renovations.
- Cash Invested: $25K of their own funds for down payment and closing.
- Loan Structure: Hard money at 12% interest plus 2 points (fees), private money at 10%, with interest paid at project’s end to preserve cash flow.
9. Taking Lessons to Flip #2 and Beyond (31:46–35:16)
- Confidence Grows: Experience from the first flip gave Tori clarity and confidence for future deals.
- Second Flip: Used a HELOC for cheaper financing of renovations; evaluating contractors for better fit.
- Long-Term Vision: Plan to do a couple more flips, then buy Airbnbs for personal use and income. Heavily inspired by other podcast guests.
Notable Quote:
“Our goal is to do two to three flips and build up capital and then buy an Airbnb...we would love to acquire some Airbnbs that we can use for our family as well.”
— Tori Tyler (34:13)
10. Balancing Motherhood and Investing (36:07–37:26)
- “Flipper House” as Family Affair: Tori involves her young children in the process, seeing it as a way to both model entrepreneurship and make memories.
- Building for the Next Generation: Flipping becomes a family activity, directly benefiting her children’s future.
Notable Quote:
“I take them with me a lot...at the end of the day, like, we're building it for them too. So I want them to be as involved as possible.”
— Tori Tyler (36:24)
Memorable Quotes
- “It's okay for your dreams to shift.” — Tori Tyler [05:49]
- “It doesn't matter as much what that person is saying, because that deal could be right for you, but wrong for them.” — Ashley Kerr [16:59]
- “I was totally blown away that we were able to go that much over and have an offer in four days. It was like the perfect setup.” — Tori Tyler [20:47]
- “We just fit it into our life. And we were like, man, that was not as hard as we made it out to be, and let's do it again.” — Tori Tyler [24:38]
- “I feel like it's—they just get to be a part of this journey...we're building it for them too.” — Tori Tyler [36:24]
Segment Timestamps for Quick Reference
- Tori’s background & pivot: 00:46–06:39
- Analysis paralysis and first real deal: 06:39–09:04
- Choosing flipping over other strategies: 11:35–13:59
- Analyzing the first flip and decision making: 13:59–18:30
- Deal numbers breakdown: 20:02–22:08
- Involvement and project details: 22:08–24:38
- Timeline & flexibility: 24:16–25:09
- How the deal was financed: 25:10–27:59
- Moving onto the second flip: 31:46–35:16
- Family and real estate: 36:07–37:26
Where to Find Tori Tyler
- Instagram: @torijacksontyler
- YouTube: Linked from her Instagram profile
Final Takeaway
Tori’s story exemplifies that anyone can get started in real estate with persistence, resourcefulness, and a willingness to learn by doing—even without prior experience. Her accessible, honest approach encourages rookies to move past the information-gathering phase and take action, adapting strategies that fit their own lives and goals.