Looking to Learn About Raising Capital & Finding Quality Assets

[Jeux Marseille Fajardo]

Hi BiggerPockets Community,

My name is Jeux, and I’m currently on the journey of learning how to raise capital and identify quality real estate assets in the U.S. market. I’m still in the early stages — saving, studying, and trying to understand what makes a good investment versus what to avoid.

I’d love to hear from those of you who have been down this path before:

• What strategies have worked for you in raising capital, especially when just starting out?

• How do you evaluate whether an asset is truly worth pursuing?

• Are there any specific markets or property types you’d recommend focusing on right now (or avoiding)?

I’m here to learn, build connections, and contribute however I can. Thanks in advance for any advice you’re willing to share — I look forward to the discussion!

[Jeux Marseille Fajardo]

Quote from @Ky Perry:

Hey Jeux, I'm also just starting out so I haven't done any deals yet, but I've heard a few things that seem to work for beginners: partnering with someone more experienced, using a HELOC if you already own a place, and building relationships with small/local banks. For evaluating deals, a lot of people keep it simple with cash-on-cash return. Still learning myself, so I'd love to hear what's worked for others too.

Hey Ky, thanks for sharing this — really appreciate it! I’ve also come across the advice about partnering with experienced investors, and I think that could be a smart way to learn while lowering risk. I haven’t looked much into HELOCs yet, but I’ll definitely read up on it. Building relationships with local banks also makes sense, especially since they might be more open to working with new investors.

Cash-on-cash return seems like a straightforward metric to start with — do you have a certain % you’re aiming for when you run numbers?

I’m in the same boat as you: learning and trying to soak up as much advice as I can. Hopefully we’ll both pick up some great tips from the community here.