You don’t need to look very far to find a real estate success story, but it’s not every day that you hear from someone who is currently in the trenches of their very first real estate investment. The truth is that there are all types of hurdles to overcome during an investing journey, and today, you’re going to hear from someone who is still in the thick of it.

For years, interior designer Sara Plaisted dreamed of investing in real estate. But like many real estate rookies, analysis paralysis prevented her from taking action. Having built up a network of people to lean on, however, Sara eventually drummed up the courage to dive in. It wasn’t long before she landed her very first property—a two-story cabin tucked away in four-seasons vacation spot Julian, California. Unfortunately, the story doesn’t end there. Rather than enjoying consistent cash flow and great tenants, Sara was dealt a steep learning curve that involved persistent water leaks, excessive rehab costs, and other issues.

If you’re struggling at any point in your real estate journey, you’ll want to tune in to this episode and hear Sara’s story. She shares about her initial fears surrounding real estate, how she was able to land her first deal, and how she is currently dealing with all of the unexpected hurdles that her new property has thrown her way!