Starting out in real estate investing

Atlanta, Georgia
Starting Out
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Starting out in real estate investing

Ethan Rolnick
New to Real Estate · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2025 · 64 posts · 20 votes

I am a college student who wants to get into real estate investing. What is the best kind of real estate to start investing in that does not require a lot of money? 

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Nicholas L.Pro Member
Flipper/Rehabber · Pittsburgh · Member since 2018 · 6k+ posts · 5k+ votes
1y

@Ethan Rolnick

-the best way to start is with a house hack, period

-real estate investing does require money - any methods purporting to not are high risk

-your best bet is to save up for a house hack.  if you want to know how much you'll need, call a couple lenders and ask

-if you house hack just a couple of times, you'll own more real estate than 97% of people

-good luck

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  • Ethan Rolnick
    OP
    New to Real Estate · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2025 · 64 posts · 20 votes
    1y

    @Josh Green I accepted you. Did you get it? 

    0Reply
  • Josh Green
    Real Estate Agent · Cumming, GA · Member since 2025 · 26 posts · 14 votes
    1y
    Sure did!
    1Reply
  • Bud Gaffney
    Rental Property Investor · Boston, MA · Member since 2019 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    1y

    House hack a 3 family. It'll be the best decision of your life.

    0Reply
  • Denise SuppleeBusiness Member
    Realtor · Willow Grove, PA · Member since 2017 · 1k+ posts · 666 votes
    1y

    Hi @Ethan Rolnick  nice to meet you!! Since you’re starting with limited capital, look for ways to trade effort and creativity for money. House hacking is one of the best entry points—it lets you live in the property, use low-down financing, and learn management firsthand. You can also partner with experienced investors or get involved through REITs or crowdfunding to build knowledge while saving for your first deal. Focus on learning how to analyze and find good deals now—the money will follow once you’ve built those skills.

    Spark Rental Co-Investing Club585 Reviews
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    1Reply
  • Bill Goodland
    Rental Property Investor · Allentown PA, United States · Member since 2016 · 567 posts · 442 votes
    1y
    If you have a W2 job and some money, I would strongly recommend house hacking. If not, I would recommend finding someone in your market that is doing a lot of direct to seller marketing and ask how you can be of some type of value. Running around to take pictures or even become an acquisitions manager can be a really valuable role and skill set for finding good deals moving forward
    1Reply
  • Ashish AcharyaBusiness Member
    CPA, CFP®, PFS · Sarasota, FL · Member since 2017 · 5k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    1y

    College student getting started? You’re already ahead of the game! Congrats!

    One of the best low-cost ways to get into investing is house hacking. You buy an affordable property with a low down payment, live in one part, and rent out the other rooms or units. Your tenants help cover the mortgage so you can build equity without feeling the financial weight of a full rental right away.

    There are great loan programs for first-time buyers that keep your upfront cost low, and you can take advantage of rental write-offs while learning how to manage a property.

    Once you have that first deal working, you can scale. Use savings from reduced living costs, equity gains, and smart tax planning to roll into the next property.

    You're actually in a great position to start (assuming you're in a college town). You'll learn while you earn, and that experience becomes your real advantage. Make sure you keep a tax perspective at the forefront, this will help you grow faster. Good luck & happy to connect.

    [email protected]941-914-7779
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  • Ethan Rolnick
    OP
    New to Real Estate · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2025 · 64 posts · 20 votes
    1y

    @Bud Gaffney do you have LinkedIn? I would love to further connect with you and talk more about starting out strategies in REI.

    0Reply
  • Ethan Rolnick
    OP
    New to Real Estate · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2025 · 64 posts · 20 votes
    1y

    @Denise Supplee could we connect and discuss further on LinkedIn please?

    0Reply
  • Ethan Rolnick
    OP
    New to Real Estate · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2025 · 64 posts · 20 votes
    1y

    @Ashish Acharya do you have LinkedIn since I would love to further connect with you?

    0Reply
  • Oles B.
    Rental Property Investor · Rancho Cordova, CA · Member since 2021 · 10 posts · 7 votes
    1y

    If you can, live with your parents after college and when you get your first job. If you can't, don't be enticed by living in an exciting downtown area that is overpriced. Stick to hobbies that are cheap. Do whatever you can that will help you build up capital for your first down payment.

    1Reply
  • Bill Goodland
    Rental Property Investor · Allentown PA, United States · Member since 2016 · 567 posts · 442 votes
    1y

    Focus on earning a high active income. Keep your expenses low and house hack as soon as you can.

    One thing I wish I did when I was younger was get into sales earlier. Find someone in your market going direct to seller and ask if they need help working leads on a commission basis. You'll cut your teeth but the experience would be invaluable

    1Reply
  • Ethan Rolnick
    OP
    New to Real Estate · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2025 · 64 posts · 20 votes
    1y

    @oles 

    @Oles B. do you have a LinkedIn account? I would love to further connect with you!

    0Reply
  • Stephen QuesinberryBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Cumming, GA · Member since 2016 · 229 posts · 157 votes
    1y

    If I was starting all over again, I would house hack. Once you get one, plan your next one. Rinse and repeat. Ideally you’re looking for a duplex or a house with a guest suite or basement setup. The goal is to offset most—or even all—of your mortgage while you build equity and save for the next one.

    House hacking is how I’d do it all over again because it gives you a realistic entry point into real estate without needing huge capital. You’re living in your investment, reducing your biggest expense (housing), and letting your tenants pay down your loan. It builds discipline, financial awareness, and experience in managing property—skills that compound over time.

    As with anything, you’ve got to create a spread between your income and expenses to make real progress. House hacking is the most practical way to do that early on—and it’s the foundation that can launch everything else you want to build in real estate.

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  • Al Bazzy
    Real Estate Agent · Livonia, MI · Member since 2016 · 32 posts · 10 votes
    1y

    Hey Ethan! If you’re starting with limited funds, wholesaling or house hacking are great ways to learn and get in without spending too much.

    If you’re open to out-of-state investing, Detroit’s been a solid market too, especially for turnkeys. A few of our out-of-state investors recently picked up properties there and are already seeing steady cash flow and minimal hassle.

    1Reply
  • Ethan Rolnick
    OP
    New to Real Estate · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2025 · 64 posts · 20 votes
    1y

    @Al Bazzy, could we connect further on LinkedIn? Do you have an account? I would love to discuss this in further detail. 

    0Reply
  • Niyi AdewoleBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Atlanta GA & Orlando, FL · Member since 2015 · 214 posts · 101 votes
    1y
    Quote from @Ethan Rolnick:

    I am a college student who wants to get into real estate investing. What is the best kind of real estate to start investing in that does not require a lot of money? 


     I agree with a lot of the other replies, i got started in real estate investing as a recent grad at 24 and it has changed my life. I started with Househacking a triplex, and it gives you the best of both worlds. Not only do you get the benefit of saving on your out of pocket living expenses, but you also secure an investment that will grow over time. Happy to discuss live and help in anyway 

    [email protected]
    1Reply
  • Ethan Rolnick
    OP
    New to Real Estate · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2025 · 64 posts · 20 votes
    1y

    @Niyi Adewole do you have a LinkedIn account? I would love to connect with you further and discuss this. 

    0Reply
  • Jimmy LieuBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Columbus, OH · Member since 2019 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    1y
    Quote from @Ethan Rolnick:

    I am a college student who wants to get into real estate investing. What is the best kind of real estate to start investing in that does not require a lot of money? 

    Hey Ethan, welcome to BP! That’s awesome you’re thinking about real estate early—it gives you a huge head start. If you’re working with limited funds, house hacking is hands down one of the best ways to get started. You can buy a small multi-family or even a single-family home, live in one part, and rent out the rest to help cover your mortgage. It lets you learn the ropes while building equity and cash flow at the same time. Another solid entry point is partnering with someone who has more capital while you handle the research, management, or renovations—it’s a great way to gain experience without needing a big down payment. You might also look into markets like Columbus, Ohio, where the price points are still very reasonable and you can find properties in the $120–180K range that hit the 1% rule and cash flow from day one. That’s how I started after moving from Portland to Columbus, and now I own 10+ rentals here. Happy to connect and answer any questions you have!

    [email protected]614-300-7535
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    1Reply
  • Ethan Rolnick
    OP
    New to Real Estate · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2025 · 64 posts · 20 votes
    1y

    @Jimmy Lieu do you have LinkedIn? I would love to connect with you to discuss this further! 

    0Reply
  • Ken M.
    Investor · Get yourself trained before doing something inadvisable. · Member since 2024 · 3k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    1y
    Quote from @Ethan Rolnick:

    I am a college student who wants to get into real estate investing. What is the best kind of real estate to start investing in that does not require a lot of money? 

    Hmmm, I'm confused. You are in college for some reason or other. That costs money. A lot of money. And spending money on college is more important than what you want to do in life?
    That's confusing.

    By the way, I went to a private college (a long time ago) and have an advanced degree to boot. College did not help me in my investing career.  It slowed me down. 

    For you lurkers going to college, dreaming about making real money and having fun doing it, do the real estate first, then take as many college classes as you want. You'll be a lot happier. No, Bill Gates didn't finish college.
    1Reply
  • Ethan Rolnick
    OP
    New to Real Estate · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2025 · 64 posts · 20 votes
    1y

    @Chase Michael do you have a LinkedIn account? I would love to further connect with you!

    0Reply
  • Chase Michael
    New to Real Estate · Cartersville GA · Member since 2025 · 5 posts · 5 votes
    1y

    @Ethan Rolnick

    Yes! I would love to connect as well. 
    My LinkedIn URL is in my bio. 

    1Reply
  • Ethan Rolnick
    OP
    New to Real Estate · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2025 · 64 posts · 20 votes
    1y

    @Chase Michael I just sent you a request. Lmk if you got it!

    0Reply
  • Chase Michael
    New to Real Estate · Cartersville GA · Member since 2025 · 5 posts · 5 votes
    1y

    @Ken M.

    It's actually not too bad with Georgia's Scholarship system. As long as the grades are there, with my living at home, I can get out for about 4K.

    But with that being said, I think you're totally right about the lost passive income over 4 years, that's why I would like to get into real estate now.

    In your profile, it says you are a zero-down specialist. Is there any particular trick you know for being able to put zero down? 

    1Reply
    • Ken M.
      Investor · Get yourself trained before doing something inadvisable. · Member since 2024 · 3k+ posts · 1k+ votes
      1y
      Quote from @Chase Michael:

      @Ken M.

      It's actually not too bad with Georgia's Scholarship system. As long as the grades are there, with my living at home, I can get out for about 4K.

      But with that being said, I think you're totally right about the lost passive income over 4 years, that's why I would like to get into real estate now.

      In your profile, it says you are a zero-down specialist. Is there any particular trick you know for being able to put zero down? 

      Yes, but it costs money :-)

      You still have marketing, closing costs, reserves, etc. I'm not allowed to get specific here, but I outline alot of it at https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/517/topics/1267338-how-...
      1Reply
  • Mackaylee BeachPro Member
    Real Estate Agent · Kansas City, MO · Member since 2020 · 1k+ posts · 495 votes
    1y

    Are you looking to generate passive income, build equity over time, or perhaps flip properties for a quick return? Your strategy will depend on what you hope to achieve in the long term.

    Another approach could be to explore rental properties, particularly in markets where you can find affordable homes. Look for areas with a high demand for rentals to ensure a steady cash flow. You might also consider house hacking, where you purchase a multi-family property, live in one unit, and rent out the others. This can help offset mortgage costs and build equity over time.

    Whichever path you choose, it's important to educate yourself on the market, network with experienced investors, and perhaps start with a mentor who can guide you through your first investment.

    [email protected]
    2Reply
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