Real Estate Rookie
Episodes
My Rental Property Has Zero Appreciation: Should I Hold or Sell? (Rookie Reply)
05 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Do you have home equity sitting in your primary residence? You could use it to buy your first or next rental property! There are several ways to do th...
The Ultimate Guide to Buying Off-Market Properties (As a Complete Beginner)
03 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Struggling to find great real estate deals on the MLS? What if we told you some of the best rental properties are often found elsewhere? If you want b...
He Was Making Just $12/Hour: Now He Owns 7 Rental Properties (10 Units)
01 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
You 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:...
How to Pay (Much) Less in Taxes as a Real Estate Investor (Rookie Reply)
29 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Rental properties can give you cash flow, appreciation, and loan paydown from tenants. But tax benefits are often the unsung hero of real estate inves...
How to Get a 3% Mortgage Rate on Your Rental Property (Still Works in 2026)
27 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Did 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 dol...
Making Over $10,000/Month with Just One Rental Property
25 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Fear your market is too competitive for you to stand out? Today’s guest bought her first rental property right before developers started buying up t...
Paying Off a Rental Property vs. Buying More: Which One Wins? (Rookie Reply)
22 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Should 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 we...
He Had No Money for His First Deal: 5 Years Later, He Owns 17 Properties
20 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Rookies 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 ...
From No Time or Money to Doing 6-Figure Real Estate Deals (With 8 Kids!)
18 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Don’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’...
Should I Keep or Sell My Rental Property? (Huge Equity Gains) (Rookie Reply)
15 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Have 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 yo...
The 2-Year Blueprint for Buying Your First Rental Property (Starting from Zero)
13 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
You 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 thin...
Making $10,000/Month Cash Flow from 5 Rental Properties in Just 5 Years
11 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Had 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 finan...
Should You Ever Buy a Rental Property with Negative Cash Flow? (Rookie Reply)
08 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Everyone keeps saying we’re in a “buyer’s market,” but if that’s true, where are all the real estate deals? It’s easy to get discouraged a...
Should You Ever Buy a Rental Property with Negative Cash Flow? (Rookie Reply)
06 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Tired of your rental properties making just $50 or $100 a month? What if you could squeeze several thousand dollars out of the same properties instead...
From Zero to 11 Real Estate Deals in 6 Years by Buying Properties 99% Ignore
04 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
You don’t need a huge savings account or even a ton of life experience to start investing in real estate. At just 18 years old, today’s guest used...
How to Estimate Rehab Costs from Scratch (Materials & Labor) (Rookie Reply)
01 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Need help estimating rehab costs? This is a huge unknown for many rookie investors. But not to worry—in this episode, we’ll show you how to do thi...
BRRRR vs. Turnkey: Which Rental Strategy Actually Wins? (Not What You Think)
29 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Before you buy your first rental property, you’ll need to pick an investing strategy. Should you opt for the convenience of a turnkey rental propert...
From Extreme Job Burnout to Breakthrough with 2 Rentals (He Quit His W2)
27 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Feel stuck in a career that’s slowly wearing you down? Rentals give everyday people a clear path to financial freedom and flexibility, but few take ...
Should You Self-Manage Your Rentals or Hire a Property Manager? (Rookie Reply)
24 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Offer accepted! Congratulations—you’re well on your way to buying a rental property. But first, your earnest money deposit (EMD) is due. How much ...
Need Money for a Down Payment? Try These 8 Side Hustles (That Actually Work)
22 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Don’t have enough cash for a down payment or enough income to qualify for a mortgage? You’re not alone—many rookies have been (or are) in your s...
How to Turn Your “Stuff” Into Cash-Flowing Assets (And Buy More Rentals)
20 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
If you could create a few income streams that gave you an extra $10,000, $20,000 or more per year, how would it change your life? Today’s guest h...
Should You Buy a Single-Family Rental or a Duplex? (Rookie Reply)
17 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Looking to buy a rental property? First, you’ll need to decide between a single-family home and a small multifamily property. Which makes more money...
The 5-Step Framework for Investing in Real Estate with Your Spouse (or Partner)
15 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Sometimes the biggest obstacle to buying a rental property isn’t finding real estate deals, or funding them, but getting your significant other on b...
He Lives Overseas, But His 3 Rentals Cash Flow While He Sleeps
13 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
You don’t need hundreds of rental units to design the life you want. Today’s guest is busy traveling the world and only wants a handful of rental ...
Inheriting Tenants: How to Raise Rent & Protect Yourself (Rookie Reply)
10 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
You’ve bought a rental property, but there’s one curveball: you’re inheriting tenants! On one hand, you’re able to start earning rental i...
Don’t Make an Offer Without Including These 10 Items (Save Thousands)
08 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
What’s worse than losing a real estate offer? Winning one on a “headache” rental property! Sometimes, the difference between a “good” dea...
He Built a Thriving Business: Now He’s Trading It for Financial Freedom with Rentals
06 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
What if the life you dream of is just a few rental properties away? You don’t have to have it all figured out to start. Today’s guest knew clos...
How to Use Home Equity to Buy Your Next Rental Property (3 Ways) (Rookie Reply)
03 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Don’t think you have the money to buy a rental property? Maybe you’re just looking in the wrong place! Today, we’re talking about different ways...
She Bought 3 Properties in 3 Years: Now She’s Refinancing (Here’s Why)
01 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Is now a good time to refinance your mortgage? If you bought a rental property in the last few years, you may be watching mortgage rates and waiting f...
Making $5,000/Month Cash Flow from One Rental Property (And Retiring in 4 Years)
30 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Want to retire with rentals so you can buy back your time and travel the world? Despite a successful 35-year engineering career, today’s guest was s...
The Best Types of Rental Properties for Beginners to Buy in 2026 (Rookie Reply)
27 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
What’s the best type of rental property for a beginner to buy? This is one of the first decisions every rookie needs to make, but between single-fam...
10+ Things to Inspect Before You Buy a Rental Property (Foundation to Roof)
25 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
How do you know if the property you’re buying is a cash-flowing investment or a money pit? Too many investors think they’re getting a great deal, ...
8 Real Estate Deals in 2 Years While Working Full-Time (Raising 4 Kids)
23 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
How badly do you want to leave your nine-to-five job, retire early, or travel the world? For this mom of four, working until traditional retirement ag...
The “Boring” Rental Strategy That Could Retire You by Your 40s (Rookie Reply)
20 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Do you dream of reaching financial independence (or retiring!) in the next 20 years? Whether you’re in your 20s, 30s, 40s, or 50s, it’s never too ...
The Lazy Investor’s Guide to Real Estate Syndications (Passive Income)
18 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Do you want the benefits of investing in real estate without the hassle of being a landlord? There’s an investing strategy that could give you more ...
She Started Investing in Her 50s, Now She’ll Retire with Rentals!
16 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Fear you’ll never invest in real estate because you’ve been dealt a bad hand? Today’s guest had a struggling business, a $70,000 tax lien, a pen...
How to Buy Rentals (Faster) with Real Estate-Related Skills (Rookie Reply)
13 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Do you have ANY skills that could help fast-track your real estate investing journey? Many rookies do! Whether you’re good at finding deals, remodel...
He Made $65,000/Month on His First Rental Arbitrage “Contract” (Real Numbers!)
11 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
What if your next tenant wasn’t a short-term guest or a Section 8 renter but the U.S. government? You’re about to hear about a real estate busines...
From Homeless to Homeowner with a 7-Bedroom Rental Property
09 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Feel like you’re still years away from investing in real estate? Maybe you’ve got shaky finances, or you think you need more education. Today’s ...
Is the 2026 Housing Market Finally Becoming “Unstuck”? (Rookie Reply)
06 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Is 2026 quietly shaping up to be a great time to buy a rental property? Following a sluggish year for home sales, the housing market could become “u...
5 Systems Every Rookie Investor Needs for Faster Rehabs and Bigger Profits
04 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Many rookies are freaked out by the thought of tackling rental renovations and things going south. But what if there were ways to lower your risk, sav...
$3,500/Month Cash Flow from One Self Storage Facility (Same Price as a Rental)
02 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Think building a portfolio or “retiring” with real estate is too far out of reach? Just eight years ago, today’s guest was graduating from colle...
This “Hybrid” Rental Strategy Is a No-Brainer for Rookies in 2026 (Rookie Reply)
27 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Want to finally buy a rental property in 2026? You’ve listened to the podcast. You’ve read the books. But what’s the best way to actually start?...
5 Things We’d Do If We Were Starting Over in Real Estate Today
25 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Still stuck on step one in your investing journey? There are countless success stories from investors who started five, 10, or 20 years ago. But getti...
Changing His Family’s Future with 3 “Boring” Rentals and $2,500/Month Cash Flow
23 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Think you need a trust fund, seed money, or a rich uncle to invest in real estate? You don’t! With just 10 years of simple, “boring” investing, ...
Should I Use My Home Equity to Buy My Next Rental Property? (Rookie Reply)
20 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Should you use your home equity to buy a rental property? Whether it’s your primary residence or another investment property, this strategy could he...
How to Buy Your First (or Next) Rental Property in 2026 (Step by Step)
18 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Want to buy your first rental property in 2026? You’ve come to the right place! Whether you dream of becoming a “small and mighty” investor or b...
Buying 4 Small Multifamily Rentals in Just 2 Years (While Working a W2)
16 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The what-ifs of real estate investing keep many rookies on the sidelines indefinitely. But when today’s guest determined his “safe” nine-to-five...
How to Buy Rental #2, #3, or #4 When You’re Out of Funds (Rookie Reply)
13 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Stuck at one rental property? Maybe you spent years saving for that first down payment, and now, your funds are depleted. Where do you go from here? N...
3 Reasons Why You Haven’t Bought Your First Rental Property (Yet)
11 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
If you’re like most rookies, you probably won’t buy a rental property in 2026. After all, there are too many things working against you: high m...
The W2 Employee’s Roadmap to Financial Freedom (Buy Rentals While Working 8-6)
09 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Think you’re too busy to own rental properties? Real estate investing doesn’t have to dominate your time or energy. Today’s guest is living proo...
No Money? Creative Ways to Fund Your Next Rental Property (Rookie Reply)
06 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Money. It’s the first BIG hurdle every rookie faces when buying a rental property. Can’t put 20% down? Maybe you don’t need to! Welcome to ...
I Just Lost $25,000: What I Learned from My Worst Real Estate Deal (Ever)
04 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Ashley just did her worst real estate deal. Ever. We always talk about the good real estate deals, but what about the bad deals? The rental propert...
Making $4,000/Month Cash Flow with 10 Rental Properties (In Just 4 Years)
02 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Tired of working a nine-to-five job that dominates your time and energy? You could be closer to financial freedom than you think, even if you’re lik...
Pay Off Your Property or Buy More? + Handling Repairs with Tenants in Place (Rookie Reply)
30 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Mortgage rates have dropped recently, which is great news for rookies looking to buy a rental property. But is NOW the right time for a cash-out refin...
She Built an Entire Real Estate Portfolio in Just 2 Years with THESE Tools
28 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Do you want to own not one rental property, or two, but an entire real estate portfolio that gives you financial freedom? Then, you’re going to need...
From a Foreclosure & 200 Credit Score to Building Wealth with “Grandma” Houses
26 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Fear you’ll never be able to invest in real estate because of money, credit, or bad timing? This single mom lost her house and had a 200 credit scor...
How to Build an Out-of-State Investing Team in Any Market (Rookie Reply)
23 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Buying a rental property in another city, county, or state? Then, you’re going to need boots on the ground in that market to help find, fix, and man...
How to Make Up to $20K/Month with Airbnb Co-Hosting (No Rentals Needed)
21 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Can’t break into real estate investing? Maybe you don’t have enough money to buy a rental property or the track record of a confident investor. Th...
Turning Burnout Into (Real) Financial Freedom with 7 Rentals in Just 3 Years
19 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Feel trapped at a nine-to-five job that promises “success” but robs you of all joy, peace, and freedom? Today’s guest was in the same boat, but ...
This Matters More Than Cash Flow (Most Rookies Ignore It) (Rookie Reply)
16 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
We’ve got THE “secret” to getting more cash flow from your rental property. Ready? Put more money down! It’s an obvious solution, but is putti...
They Were Right in 2008, Now They’re Saying to Buy in 2026 w/ Thach Nguyen & James Dainard
14 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Are we headed for another housing market crash, or is this a slightly longer correction in the current real estate cycle? With home prices flattening ...
Making $25,000/Year Cash Flow by Buying the Worst Rental on the Best Block
12 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Getting laid off from your W2 job can be a crushing blow, but for today’s guest, it was the push she needed to finally bet on herself. Her first “...
How to Buy Cash-Flowing Rentals in 2026 (Despite High Rates) (Rookie Reply)
09 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Is real estate investing still worth it? High mortgage rates and home prices can make buying a rental property seem challenging, if not impossible at ...
Why Landlord Insurance Premiums Are Skyrocketing in 2026 (And How to Stop It)
07 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Landlord insurance premiums are rising fast in many markets across the U.S., and if you’re not careful, this expense could be a dealbreaker on your ...
She Quit Her W2 to Stay Home, Now This Mom of 3 Makes $6K/Month from 1 Rental
05 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
“Cancer.” One word would change this mom’s life forever, requiring her to drop her career and become a full-time caregiver. But little did she k...
Deal of a Lifetime? How to Structure a Win-Win Seller Financing Deal (Rookie Reply)
02 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Money is often the biggest barrier standing between a rookie investor and their first deal, but there’s a creative way to buy a rental property that...
How to Buy Your First Rental Property (7 Steps)
31 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Tired of spending your money on rent or stashing it in a traditional savings account? You could make your money work harder for you and get on the pat...
How to Build Your 2026 Real Estate Investing Plan
29 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
By the time you finish this episode, you’ll have your exact plan for financial freedom through real estate, starting in 2026. See if you can an...
The 4 Best Types of Rental Properties for NEW Investors to Buy
26 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
So, you want to invest in real estate…but where should you start? What’s the best type of rental property for a beginner? It’s easy to become ov...
Redfin: The Great Housing Market “Reset” Starts in 2026
24 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Redfin just called it. The housing market will “reset” in 2026…or at least it’ll be the start of it. Chen Zhao, Redfin's head of economics ...
Waiter to Financial Freedom with 5 Rentals and $5,000/Month Cash Flow
22 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Think you can’t create cash flow in this housing market? Think again! Today’s guest will introduce you to a strategy that can take a regular renta...
Buying a “Cheap” Rental Property: What 99% of Rookies Miss (Rookie Reply)
19 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We’ve all come across that property—the one with the irresistibly low price in the bad area of town. The numbers make it look like a home-run real...
This Online Side Hustle Pays for My Rentals (And Could Fund Your First Deal)
17 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Many rookies would invest in real estate if only they had the money. Well, we’re about to share a simple, scalable side hustle that could help you s...
Making $1,200/Month by Turning His Home Into a Cash-Flowing Rental
15 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Think you need a big bank account to invest in real estate? You don’t! There are several ways to either buy a rental property with low money down or...
How to Find Great Real Estate Deals in 2026 (Before Anyone Else) (Rookie Reply)
12 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Not knowing the difference between a “good” real estate deal and a “bad” one keeps many rookies on the sidelines. If this is the one hurdle pr...
I Built a Real Estate Business That Replaced My High-Paying W2 (Here’s How)
10 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Many rookies assume it’s easier to buy a rental property in their own market, but today’s guest proved you don’t need to by taking down his firs...
He “Stacked” 5 Properties in 6 Years: Now He Lives and Travels for Free!
08 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Most rookies buy rental properties for monthly cash flow or long-term appreciation, but for today’s guest, the enormous tax benefits were the bigges...
Inheriting Tenants: Instant Cash Flow or Huge Headache? (Rookie Reply)
05 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Forming a real estate investing partnership could help you scale your real estate portfolio faster, but if you’re not careful, you could just as eas...
How to Find High-Cash-Flow Vacation Rentals Using “Secret” Airbnb Data
03 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Are we seeing a short-term rental resurgence? Since Airbnb’s big boom in 2021, many investors have shied away from the “oversaturated” short-ter...
45 Rentals and $0 Debt: The Money Mindset Shift That Made Me Financially Free
01 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Worried you’ll never be able to buy rental properties because you’re “bad” with money? Today’s guest was in the same boat until a much-neede...
Local vs. Out-of-State Investing: Where to Buy Your First Rental (Rookie Reply)
28 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Before you buy a rental property, you’ll need to decide where to invest. Some rookies feel more comfortable investing in their own backyards, while ...
Teacher to Six-Figure Real Estate Investor with This Quick Flip Formula
26 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Laura Sides had zero real estate investing experience not too long ago. But, within just six weeks, she made $100,000 on her first real estate deal. H...
We Bought Our First Rentals with Almost No Money (Here’s How We Did It)
24 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Your first real estate deal doesn’t need to be a home run. If it gives you a little cash flow and the confidence to keep going, it’s worth it. Ash...
We’re in a “Buyer’s Market”…But Where Are the Real Estate Deals? (Rookie Reply)
21 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This is supposed to be a good time to buy a rental property, right? People keep saying we’re in a “buyer’s market,” and that you have more neg...
4 Signs You’re Ready to Buy a Rental Property (Sooner Than You Think)
19 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hesitant to buy a rental property? Many rookies think they need more money, experience, or even “perfect timing,” but waiting for these things ...
I Cracked the Code for More Cash Flow & Less Risk (Rentals + Private Lending)
17 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Rookies are often told to stick to one investing strategy, but today’s guest is going against the grain by combining the long-term appreciation of r...
Yes, You Should Start Lowballing Offers (Buyers in Control!) (Rookie Reply)
14 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You’re seeing houses sit on the market for longer. Now could be your chance to snag an underpriced rental property. But your agent doesn’t know if...
7 Signs a Deal Is Too Risky (Even If It Looks Good on Paper)
12 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Think you’ve just stumbled on the perfect real estate deal? Not so fast! The truth is that some rental properties may look good on paper but are act...
I Built a Rental Portfolio That Gives Me “Boring,” Steady Cash Flow
10 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Don’t think you have enough time, money, or energy to invest in real estate? Living in an expensive and highly competitive market, today’s guest h...
Never Do a Seller Financing Deal Like This… (Rookie Reply)
07 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If you ever plan on selling a rental property (which you probably should), listen to this Rookie Reply. Halloween is over, but we’ve got two real...
How to Make Bigger, Faster Returns Without Buying Rentals
05 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Buying rentals isn’t the only way to build wealth with real estate—far from it. Today’s guest is making huge returns without fixing toilets or e...
I Quit My W2 Job After a “Home Run” First Deal (With No Money or Experience)
03 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Real estate investing isn’t always pretty. Just ask today’s guest, who quit his W-2 job to focus on real estate full-time and took down 10 deals i...
Afraid to Buy Your First Rental? Here’s How to Finally Start (Rookie Reply)
31 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to another Rookie Reply, where Ashley Kehr and Tony J. Robinson answer questions from the BiggerPockets Forums and Real Estate Rookie Facebook...
2025 Investing Update: Rates, Recession Risks, and Rookie Advantages
29 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Have you seen the headlines lately? If so, you might be tempted to pump the brakes on real estate investing and wait for the economy to pick up. But y...
How I Quit Corporate with Just 3 Rentals (Real Estate Changed My Life)
27 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
New investors are often told to avoid pricey markets and buy rental properties in more affordable areas, but today’s guest did the exact opposite. N...
How to Make 3% More Rent Automatically (Takes 5 Minutes) (Rookie Reply)
24 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to another Rookie Reply, where Tony J Robinson and Ashley Kehr answer questions from the BiggerPockets Forums and Real Estate Rookie Facebook...
How to Reach Financial Freedom Faster with “Slow and Steady” Investing
22 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Does real estate investing feel like more work than it’s worth? It doesn’t have to! Today’s guest would hustle from sunrise to sundown until she...
Turning Her House into a Part-Time Rental Property (Makes $2,000/Month!)
20 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Do you dream of financial freedom, but aren’t sure how to reach it? Ashlee Perry was in a similar boat, but in just one year of real estate investin...
This is How “Hard Money” Loans Work (Banks for Investors) (Rookie Reply)
17 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to another Rookie Reply, where Ashley Kehr and Tony J. Robinson answer questions from the BiggerPockets Forums and Real Estate Rookie Facebook...