Looking for Feedback — Best Communities for New Investors 

Looking for Feedback — Best Communities for New Investors 

New to Real Estate · HI · Member since 2024 · 13 posts · 10 votes

Hey everyone,

I’m a newer investor trying to figure out where to start and what direction to go. I’m currently closing on my first primary home with my VA loan in Hawaii and really want to start learning how to invest to achieve my goals.

The end goal for me is long-term wealth and financial freedom so I can spend more time with my family and have more control over my time.

I’ve been researching different real estate mentorship programs and communities — Brandon Turner’s First Deal, Pace Morby’s SubTo, Faster Freedom, WNN Properties, and a few others. Right now, I’m leaning pretty hard toward First Deal because it seems structured and beginner-friendly, with built-in accountability.

That said, I’d love to hear from anyone who’s:

  • Joined First Deal and can share your honest experience (good or bad)
  • Found other programs or communities that were actually worth it for beginners
  • Started without knowing your strategy and figured it out through mentorship or community support

I’m based in Hawaii (active-duty military) but looking at investing in Hawaii, Tennessee, or North Carolina. I just want to make sure I’m putting my time and money into something that truly helps me get moving toward my first real deal and long-term freedom.

Appreciate any advice or feedback you can share 🙏

— Brant

2Reply
178 views

Most Popular Reply

Residential Real Estate Broker · Paia, HI · Member since 2016 · 479 posts · 311 votes
1y

I've never paid for any mentorship program, as you can learn the same stuff for free by reading books or building relationships. I was recruited as a young realtor by a team of investors who taught me to flip properties in Hawaii acquired at foreclosure auction. Everything I know I've learned on the job. 

Be cautious spending money on mentorship,  because I've attended some of these high pressure sales things. Often for the amount of money they're asking, you can get started in your first deal. And whatever they're teaching you, like tax lien investing, can easily be learned without all that upfront cost via free research.

Best wishes and congrats!

See this reply in the discussion

9 Replies

Jump to latestLatest
  • Real Estate Agent · Member since 2023 · 831 posts · 577 votes
    1y

    Hey Brant, congrats on closing on your first home and thank you for your service. I don’t think you need to join a paid mentorship program to get started. The biggest value those groups offer is connecting you with experienced investors but you can build those same relationships for free through networking and working with an investor friendly agent. Your first safe deal will teach you more than any course ever could. You’ll learn the numbers, the process, and how to actually operate. 

    • New to Real Estate · HI · Member since 2024 · 13 posts · 10 votes
      1y

      @Nadeem Alamgir I really appreciate that — thank you! That actually gives me some peace of mind. I’ve been on the fence about joining a paid mentorship like Brandon Turner’s First Deal community, but I like the idea of building those same relationships through networking and taking action myself. The process of closing on my first home with my VA loan has definitely taught me a lot and I’m eager to learn as much as I can. Any tips on how you started networking or found investor-friendly agents in your area? I have already found some meet ups I'm going to be attending to help build that in my local area as well as have a lender and realtor I met through bigger pockets. 

  • Real Estate Agent · Member since 2023 · 831 posts · 577 votes
    1y

    The majority of the mentors/networks I have found are through BiggerPockets. I reached out to agents/investors persistently. You can find a ton of communities in Facebook groups, many associations, RE meetups through Eventbrite, meetup.com. 

    I know it might sound like generic advice, but you'll actually find a few people in the who can help you grow. It's just a matter of taking action and also providing value as well. 

    • New to Real Estate · HI · Member since 2024 · 13 posts · 10 votes
      1y

      @Nadeem Alamgir 

      I really appreciate that! I’ve actually already started doing some of that — reaching out to agents, networking on BiggerPockets, and checking out a few local RE meetups. It’s definitely been eye-opening so far. I like your point about providing value too — that’s something I’ve been trying to focus on as I build connections.

  • Henry ClarkPro Member
    Developer · Member since 2020 · 4k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    1y

    OP.  YOU are different.  Dont go down the path other investors are following.

    If you use the following two tools which you either know or can learn in 30 minutes you will be ahead of 90% of all RE investors anywhere.

    1.  Use your BAH tax free payment to the max.  Max your monthly home payment to match your BAH payment.   No one else gets tax free money from the government that does not get taxed and doesn’t have to be paid back.

    2.  Unless you have a cash snowball for investing built up, keep selling your house at each base.  Use your $250k per spouse to not pay capital gains.  Check on perks for military using this.  Your special.  Even if you sale your house for the same price you bought it, you make money.

    3.  Get your RE license or your spouse to reduce transaction fees. 

    4.  When you get out of the military go civil service.  They pay BAH for overseas assignments.  Do the same thing all over.

    5.  When you get out of the military again join civil service.  Your years of military service add to your civil service.   So you get a second retirement real fast, like year 1. 

    Don’t follow other RE investors.   Don’t take any training.  

    If you have cash built up, I would look in Hawaii.  

  • MD/DC · Member since 2024 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    1y

    Congratulations on your new home! I would take some time to enjoy the experience and find your groove with property ownership before jumping into another one. Your current realtor and loan officer would be good places to start with building contacts. Please search this forum for feedback on the programs you mentioned before spending money on them. In my experience local contacts have been where I built my network for support and opportunities. 

  • Specialist · Member since 2025 · 483 posts · 270 votes
    1y

    Brant, great instincts. Pick the pathway that gets you to a first, safe win with accountability. If First Deal feels structured and beginner‑friendly, use it, but pressure‑test any program on three things: deal reps every week, live feedback on your numbers, and real accountability with dates and deliverables. While you decide, lock a simple buy box for TN/NC/HI, analyze five on‑market deals a day, and talk to two property managers to validate rents and rules. Momentum beats perfect choice; the right community is the one that gets you making offers with confidence.

  • Residential Real Estate Broker · Paia, HI · Member since 2016 · 479 posts · 311 votes
    1y

    I've never paid for any mentorship program, as you can learn the same stuff for free by reading books or building relationships. I was recruited as a young realtor by a team of investors who taught me to flip properties in Hawaii acquired at foreclosure auction. Everything I know I've learned on the job. 

    Be cautious spending money on mentorship,  because I've attended some of these high pressure sales things. Often for the amount of money they're asking, you can get started in your first deal. And whatever they're teaching you, like tax lien investing, can easily be learned without all that upfront cost via free research.

    Best wishes and congrats!

Join the conversationCreate a free account to reply, vote on answers and follow this thread.