Real Estate Rookie

Do you need an LLC for rental property investing? Ask some investors, and they’ll hit back with a resounding “of course!” But ask another group of investors, and they’ll tell you “not at all!” This duality causes many rookie investors to become confused, not knowing when to protect their property with the limits that come with an LLC. So how are millionaire investors setting up their properties and partnerships? Or, more specifically, what are Ashley and Tony doing to protect themselves?Welcome back to this week’s Rookie Reply! We’ve got some great questions queued up for our cabin and campground co-hosts, Ashley and Tony, to answer! First, we take a question about what to ask a seller during a final walkthrough, and how talking to tenants may be worth the extra time. Then, we hint at when to ask a listing agent for financials on a commercial property, the great LLC vs. umbrella insurance debate, and finally how to buy an investment property when you’re strapped for cash!If you want Ashley and Tony to answer a real estate question, you can post in the Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group! Or, call us at the Rookie Request Line (1-888-5-ROOKIE).In This Episode We CoverWhat to do during a final property walkthrough and top questions to ask a seller before you closeEstoppel agreements and using them to verify leases on tricky propertiesRental property LLCs and when buying umbrella insurance makes more senseWhen to ask for financials on a commercial property and using them to vet a dealStock portfolio loans and how to borrow against your assets to buy real estatePartnering up to purchase more property even when you have no cashAnd So Much More!Links from the ShowFind an Investor-Friendly Real Estate AgentBiggerPocketsReal Estate Rookie Facebook GroupReal Estate Rookie YouTube channelReal Estate Rookie PodcastConnect with Ashley And Tony:Ashley's InstagramAshley's BiggerPockets ProfileTony's InstagramTony's BiggerPockets ProfileCheck the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-248Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Low mortgage rates, sneaky homebuying strategies, and getting into (and out of) debt, Lindsey Iskierka's story has it all. As the lead real estate agent on the SoCal David Greene team, Lindsey is in the thick of real estate day in and day out. But she’s not just helping others buy and sell homes, she also boasts a respectable rental property portfolio, with four units sprawled out across the states in three completely different markets. And even though Lindsey is in the real estate game now, it wasn’t always this way.Back in 2015, Lindsey wasn’t making much after getting her grad degree. With her husband interested in real estate, they decided to go to a seminar, which later turned into a $40K debt they had to climb their way out of. Lindsey decided to get her real estate license to not only help pay off this debt but save enough to buy their first home—a house hack in Long Beach. It didn’t take long for the home to appreciate, leaving Lindsey and her husband with a hard choice—sell or refi the property.We won’t spoil the story, but her choice allowed her to buy multiple other units across the country, which has now become a portfolio of short-term and medium-term rentals. Lindsey also gives some killer advice on how first-time homebuyers and investors can snag rock-bottom mortgage rates in 2023. We’re talking two percent lower than today’s rate! If you want to hear how you can lock in a rate below five percent, we suggest you stick around!In This Episode We CoverAre real estate courses ever worth it, and how much they actually costThe new 2-1 buydown mortgage that'll get you a much lower interest rateGetting past your “worst-case scenario” and how doing so can help you build much biggerThe 1031 exchange explained and using it to multiply your rental property portfolioLong-distance real estate investing and why turnkey rentals may be a better choiceThe VASH program investors can use to help veterans who need housingWhy buying at today’s rates and prices can “only get better” as you holdAnd So Much More!Links from the ShowFind an Investor-Friendly Real Estate AgentReal Estate Rookie Facebook GroupBiggerPocketsThe Real Estate PodcastBiggerPockets EventsBiggerPockets InstagramThe Real Estate Rookie PodcastGoBundance WomenPriceLabsGuestyAirbnbThe One BrokerageDavid Greene's Website Connect with Lindsey:Lindsey's BiggerPockets ProfileLindsey's InstagramCheck the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-247Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What makes a great real estate market? If you’re a new investor, you might think that high rents and cheap home prices are all that matter, but you couldn’t be more wrong. Experienced investors search for more than just surface-level pricing when looking into where is worth investing. This is doubly true when you’re investing in short-term rentals and medium-term rentals—both of which require a specific area to succeed. So what would Ashley and Tony look for when scouting a new real estate market?Happy Holidays and welcome back to another Rookie Reply! We hope you’ve got your presents wrapped and are ready for the greatest gift of all—Ashley Kehr’s singing voice…and some advice on real estate. This time around we’ve got a few technical questions that rookies may have trouble answering. These topics range from how to find the zoning on a rental property, whether to furnish your rental when renting by the room, when to hire an attorney for a real estate deal, and what makes the best real estate investing area!If you want Ashley and Tony to answer a real estate question, you can post in the Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group! Or, call us at the Rookie Request Line (1-888-5-ROOKIE).In This Episode We CoverWhether or not furnishing a room when house hacking is worth the costWhere to locate your property’s zoning and how to see what counts as “allowable use”How to find out what your town is planning on developing/building so you know where to buyThe three signs of a fantastic rental property investing marketWhen it makes sense to hire a buyer’s attorney, and which deals require itWhat it means when a home is owned by the Chamber of CommissionersAnd So Much More!Links from the ShowFind an Investor-Friendly Real Estate AgentReal Estate Rookie Facebook GroupReal Estate Rookie YouTube channelKara Beckmann’s New Christmas AlbumTony’s Short-Term Rental Shopping ListFacebook GroupsBiggerPocketsConnect with Ashley And Tony:Ashley's InstagramAshley's BiggerPockets ProfileTony's InstagramTony's BiggerPockets ProfileCheck the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-246Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How far can you go? What are your “limits” in life? For most people, it’s easy to get discouraged by everyday barriers, but for today’s guest, not letting limits define him is what led to a brighter future. Tony Clark, today’s guest, identified and assessed his limits to determine his starting point. And now, he has three rental units, including a duplex in Nashville and a house in California.Tony’s real estate investing journey started when he realized how expensive life is. After college, he worked at a church making decent money, but after dating his now wife, he realized that wasn’t enough to support a family. He turned to real estate to escape the grind and ensure he wouldn’t have to work crazy hours to live the life of his dreams. Once he recognized that he needed to buy an asset someone would want, he bought a transit van to rent out. From this purchase alone, he started his journey to pursue passive income.From his experience with the transit van, he transitioned to real estate seamlessly. After identifying his limiting factors, he settled on Nashville—where he could enjoy living and where the numbers made sense. He’s also been able to build a team and even start a property management company. Tony is now much closer to his ultimate goal of buying better properties with great tenants, spending less time working and more time building his empire!In This Episode We CoverWhy owning appreciating, cash-flowing assets is the true path to wealth How to cut your expenses, live for cheap, and invest the restUtilizing the assets you own to save money, work less, and make money simultaneouslyLimiting factors and how understanding your limits can make you a better investor How to set your buying criteria, and how to find investments that fit your goalsSelf-managing and what you need to run your own property management businessAnd So Much More!Links from the ShowFind an Investor-Friendly Real Estate AgentReal Estate Rookie Facebook GroupBiggerPocketsMLSRentRediZillowBiggerPockets ProThe Real Estate PodcastDoorDashTuroOutdoorsyHemlaneShowamiConnect with Tony:Tony's InstagramTony's BiggerPockets ProfileTony's TiktokCheck the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-245Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Need to know how to estimate rehab costs, even if you’re investing out of state? For most investors, it seems almost impossible to do a full-scale renovation while living hundreds, or thousands, of miles away. But, many time-tested investors have done it (including Tony), and you can too, but you’ll need to know who to go to and what to ask before you start. Or, you could bite off way more than you can chew, and risk losing your rental as a result.Happy Saturday, rookies! We’re back with another Rookie Reply, where your snowed-in on her birthday host, Ashley Kehr, and Tony J. Robinson are here to answer questions directly from the Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group and the Rookie Request Line. In this episode, Ashley and Tony share their best tips on estimating rehab costs, how to structure a partnership when someone brings money and the other brings effort, separating your rental property finances, and how to find a rock-solid CPA before tax time!If you want Ashley and Tony to answer a real estate question, you can post in the Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group! Or, call us at the Rookie Request Line (1-888-5-ROOKIE).In This Episode We CoverThe easiest way to estimate rehab costs even if you’re investing from out of stateHow to split expenses on a rental property and which different bank accounts to haveBusiness credit cards and how to make bookkeeping much easier for yourselfWhy expert investors ALWAYS buffer in more money for unexpected rehab costsHow to split roles, responsibilities, and profits in a real estate partnership What to look for in a real estate CPA and questions they MUST be able to answerAnd So Much More!Links from the ShowFind an Investor-Friendly Real Estate AgentReal Estate Rookie Facebook GroupQuickBooksStessaMLSLowe's Home ImprovementThe Home DepotFrom Line Cook to Long-Term Investor with 32 Wholesale DealsBiggerPockets BootcampsBiggerPockets ForumsReal Estate Rookie YouTube channelConnect with Ashley And Tony:Ashley's InstagramAshley's BiggerPockets ProfileTony's InstagramTony's BiggerPockets ProfileCheck the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-244Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Building a short-term rental business is surprisingly simple. You buy a property, furnish it, then throw up some pictures of it onto booking sites like Airbnb and VRBO. After a few weeks, a booking comes in, and from there you’re in the game! This is all great until a poor review comes in, sending your listing to the bottom of the pile and your profit with it. Through no fault of your own, your income stream just got cut off, and now you have a mortgage to pay without a calendar full of bookings.For many hosts, this type of scenario seems like game over for investing. But for Mark Simpson, it’s the start of something even better. Mark grew up in hospitality, marketing his family’s bed and breakfast nestled in the British countryside. His family was frantically cleaning, cooking, and booking with spreadsheets and no system to streamline their business. This ongoing problem led Mark to build Boostly, the software allowing hosts to take their bookings into their own hands.Mark has helped numerous short-term rentals bring in millions in direct bookings, helping hosts and guests minimize the amount spent on fees while maximizing their experience. So how do vacation rental hosts start doing direct bookings? What benefits come from leaving the big booking sites behind? And how can hosts regain autonomy so their business is never forced to stop? Mark answers these questions and more in today’s episode!In This Episode We CoverDirect booking sites explained and why they’re starting to rival online travel agenciesHow bad reviews and unfair algorithm updates can destroy your listing overnightConverting guests from the big sites into direct bookings effortlesslyBuilding a direct booking brand so your short-term rentals become more than just another vacation propertyWhy online travel agencies may start charging hosts to get higher rankings Pricing tools, online accreditation, and other things direct booking hosts need to surviveAnd So Much More!Links from the ShowFind an Investor-Friendly Real Estate AgentReal Estate Rookie Facebook GroupBoostly’s Property Management Software ListAirbnbVrboBooking.comExpedia GroupTripadvisorHospitableHostawayHostfullyGuesty For HostUplistingYourPorterOwnerRezStripeI-PRACAirCoverSuperhogAutoCampWhy Hosts Are Backing Away from Travel Sites and Building Direct BookingsDouble Your Cash Flow Overnight (In ANY Market) with Medium-Term RentalsHow Airbnb designs for trust | Joe GebbiaPriceLabsAirDNAWheelhouse PricingBeyond PricingStayfiMailChimpKorona POSConnect with Mark:Mark's InstagramMark's WebsiteCheck the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-243Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Foreclosures have slowly been creeping up as real estate values get hit hard. With home prices dropping and a tough economic forecast ahead, could a wave of foreclosures be on the horizon? If so, who will this affect the most—residential real estate investors like Ashley and Tony or commercial real estate investors with their million-dollar multifamilies? We’ll get into what exactly could happen in this week’s Rookie Reply!Ashley and Tony have taken four very different questions this week, directly from real estate rookies like you! They touch on how an upcoming foreclosure crisis brings an opportunity to real estate investors, who covers closing costs and where to find a purchase and sale agreement, home appraisals explained, and how to get funding for your home renovation or rehab! These answers are crucial if you’re looking to invest in 2023, so make sure you tune in!If you want Ashley and Tony to answer a real estate question, you can post in the Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group! Or, call us at the Rookie Request Line (1-888-5-ROOKIE).In This Episode We CoverCould flipping be in danger as interest rates rise and foreclosures start to increase?Where to find a purchase and sale agreement when buying an off-market dealWho pays closing costs and how to negotiate for better terms with a sellerHome appraisals explained and how to ensure the appraiser gives your home the highest value possibleFunding renovations for BRRRRs and flips, and creative ways to finance your dealsAnd So Much More!Links from the ShowFind an Investor-Friendly Real Estate AgentReal Estate Rookie Facebook GroupReal Estate Rookie PodcastBiggerPockets ForumsOn The Market PodcastLegaltemplates.netBiggerNews March: How a Surge of Foreclosures Will Impact the Housing Market w/Auction.com’s Daren BlomquistConnect with Ashley and Tony:Ashley's InstagramAshley's BiggerPockets ProfileTony's InstagramTony's BiggerPockets ProfileCheck the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-242Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Guest Sahleem Lee, experienced real estate investor, shares his journey from being a line cook to successfully wholesaling 32 deals. He emphasizes the importance of mindset and finding a mentor. The podcast also discusses skip tracing to find properties, challenges with trashed properties and property managers, and tips for marketing off-market deals.

Off-market real estate deals can give investors like you HUGE discounts on what would be expensive investment properties. Either due to the property condition or the state of the seller, these real estate deals sell for sometimes hundreds of thousands less than their on-market equivalents. But finding them can be a challenge. As a result, most new investors rely on real estate wholesalers to bring them a deal. But what if the price point still doesn’t make sense?Welcome back to another Rookie Reply, where we’re joined by real estate wholesaling master, Jamil Damji, and newly self-employed investor, Ethan Wilson. Jamil and Ethan both have a taste for off-market, underpriced deals and are here to share their wisdom with you. In this episode, you’ll hear how to negotiate with a wholesaler who’s firm on price, how to find off-market deals WITHOUT cold-calling sellers, and Jamil’s killer deal-finding strategy that costs far less than the competition!If you want Ashley and Tony to answer a real estate question, you can post in the Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group! Or, call us at the Rookie Request Line (1-888-5-ROOKIE).In This Episode We CoverHow to negotiate with a real estate wholesaler even if they have a set purchase priceInvesting in your early twenties and why partnering up can help you scale fasterCold calling tips and why most investors are too scared to talk to sellersThe EASIEST, cheapest way to find off-market real estate dealsMeth house and mold remediation and why you should ALWAYS google a potential property’s addressAnd So Much More!Links from the ShowFind an Investor-Friendly Real Estate AgentReal Estate Rookie Facebook GroupReal Estate Rookie PodcastBiggerPockets ForumsOn The Market PodcastKeyGleeAstroFlippingBiggerPocketsOn The Market Youtube ChannelConnect with Ethan and Jamil:Ethan's InstagramEthan's BiggerPockets ProfileJamil's InstagramJamil's BiggerPockets ProfileJamil's Youtube ChannelCheck the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-240Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Before the most well-known real estate moguls were moguls, they were rookie investors with a dream. While it took vision to get them to where they are today, they wouldn’t be successful without goals and a plan to achieve their goals. Tony and Ashley, two investing tycoons in their rights, use today’s episode to reflect on their goals from 2022 and start thinking about goals for 2023.One of the most important parts of goal setting is the plan to get your goals accomplished. A goal without a plan is just an unattainable dream, but with a plan, your dreams can become your reality. So how do you intentionally set a goal? You turn your goal into a SMART goal. SMART goals are more achievable since you measure them, and when you start seeing results, it encourages you to keep going and accomplish them.Goals give you something to work towards, but sometimes you don’t meet them, and that’s okay. The beautiful thing is that they can roll over. Missed your goal this year? Try again next year! Tony and Ashely both fell short on a few of their goals for 2022, but that didn’t discourage them. Develop a growth mindset, and a missed goal can turn into an opportunity. So join Tony and Ashely, pull out a notepad, write down your goals and make 2023 the year that everything changes.Links from the ShowFind an Investor-Friendly Real Estate AgentReal Estate Rookie Facebook GroupReal Estate Rookie PodcastBiggerPockets BookstoreAirbnbUpworkPropStreamAlpha Geek CapitalMonday.comFind Money, Partners, & Deals Using The “D.A.D System” w/ Mike MichalowiczReal Estate Rookie Youtube ChannelThe Science Behind Setting and Achieving Big GoalsConnect with Ashley and Tony:Ashley's InstagramAshley's BiggerPockets ProfileTony's InstagramTony's BiggerPockets ProfileCheck the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-239Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Check out our sponsor page! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices