New Real Estate Investors!

Member since 2026 · 1 post · 4 votes

Hello everyone! New investors here. My husband and I are looking to start our real estate investment journey. We are currently living in a condo that we have owned for the past 6 years, and now that we have a young child, we are looking for our next house. My husband is a new realtor. We cannot rent out our property; therefore, in order to get our next place,we need to sell. Looking for others who have been in similar situations for advice on how to get started with a child.Anybody looking for a Realtor to partner with? Also looking for a mentor. Our goal, like many others, is to be financially free and for me to quit my W2, replacing the income with real estate investments.

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James WachobBusiness Member

Real Estate Broker · Memphis, TN · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 893 votes

Hello @Lindsay Stahm ! Welcome to the community! With a young child and a move coming up, I’d focus on keeping things manageable and not putting too much pressure on yourselves to jump into investing right away. Selling your condo to fund the next home doesn’t mean you’re putting your investment goals on hold. You can use this time to build your savings, learn how to analyze deals, and figure out which strategy makes the most sense for your family.

I’d also recommend starting with one investment that fits your budget and lifestyle rather than trying to scale too quickly. Real estate can be a great path toward financial freedom, but having enough reserves and a plan for unexpected expenses is especially important when you have a family depending on you.

I’m a real estate agent based in Memphis, TN, and I work with investors building long-term rental portfolios. If you’re open to exploring markets outside your area, I’d be happy to connect and share some insight into Memphis. Wishing you and your husband the best as you get started!

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James JonesPro Member
Investor · Collierville, TN 38017 · Member since 2017 · 926 posts · 637 votes
3d
Welcome in. The best starting move is not a mentor or a partner. It is a screen you refuse to bend.
Here is mine, so you can steal the shape of it: BRRRR single-family in Memphis under $100K, ARV $180K-$265K, and rent that hits the 1% rule. If a house misses, I walk, no story changes that. For 3BR+ here, Section 8 rents run $1,395-$1,950, and that rent has to carry the deal after rehab and a DSCR refinance at 70-80% LTV.
Cleveland will have different numbers. Your job is to find yours and write them down before you shop. Then run ten deals a week on paper against them. Reps build judgment faster than any course, and at 236 properties I can tell you the bottleneck is never knowledge. It is deal flow.
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Ametria Chaney
Realtor · Memphis, Shelby County · Member since 2026 · 207 posts · 69 votes
3d
Welcome to both of you, and starting together is a real advantage if you agree on the plan first. Before you buy anything, decide what kind of investor you want to be: long-term rentals, flips, or something else, because each one needs different skills, money, and time. Then learn the numbers for that strategy, including taxes, insurance, maintenance, vacancy, and reserves, not just rent minus mortgage. I would also suggest starting in a market you can understand well, whether that is near home or somewhere you have a trusted team, and talking with a knowledgeable local agent early to test whether rents and prices are realistic. Take your time, underwrite conservatively, and let the first deal teach you the process rather than trying to make it perfect.
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Min ZhangBusiness Member
Real Estate Agent · Member since 2022 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
3d
Hi Lindsay! That’s exciting that you and your husband are starting this journey! With a young child, I’m sure there’s a lot to think about, so I’d take it one step at a time and find a strategy that works for your family. It’s great that you’re already thinking about your long-term goals. Wishing you both the best!
[email protected]614-412-2912
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James WachobBusiness Member
Real Estate Broker · Memphis, TN · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 893 votes
3d
Hello @Lindsay Stahm ! Welcome to the community! With a young child and a move coming up, I’d focus on keeping things manageable and not putting too much pressure on yourselves to jump into investing right away. Selling your condo to fund the next home doesn’t mean you’re putting your investment goals on hold. You can use this time to build your savings, learn how to analyze deals, and figure out which strategy makes the most sense for your family.
I’d also recommend starting with one investment that fits your budget and lifestyle rather than trying to scale too quickly. Real estate can be a great path toward financial freedom, but having enough reserves and a plan for unexpected expenses is especially important when you have a family depending on you.
I’m a real estate agent based in Memphis, TN, and I work with investors building long-term rental portfolios. If you’re open to exploring markets outside your area, I’d be happy to connect and share some insight into Memphis. Wishing you and your husband the best as you get started!
1 Reply
James WachobBusiness Member
Real Estate Broker · Memphis, TN · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 893 votes
3d
Hello @Lindsay Stahm ! Welcome to the community! With a young child and a move coming up, I’d focus on keeping things manageable and not putting too much pressure on yourselves to jump into investing right away. Selling your condo to fund the next home doesn’t mean you’re putting your investment goals on hold. You can use this time to build your savings, learn how to analyze deals, and figure out which strategy makes the most sense for your family.
I’d also recommend starting with one investment that fits your budget and lifestyle rather than trying to scale too quickly. Real estate can be a great path toward financial freedom, but having enough reserves and a plan for unexpected expenses is especially important when you have a family depending on you.
I’m a real estate agent based in Memphis, TN, and I work with investors building long-term rental portfolios. If you’re open to exploring markets outside your area, I’d be happy to connect and share some insight into Memphis. Wishing you and your husband the best as you get started!
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Matthew MorrowBusiness Member
Investor · PA - NY - NJ · Member since 2019 · 916 posts · 320 votes
3d
@Lindsay Stahm welcome. My first deal was a house my family lived in while we fixed it up, so I know what it's like to try to grow with a kid in the middle of it. Since you have to sell the condo anyway, I'd look hard at whether the next house could have a second unit or something you could rent later. Your next home can be your first investment if you buy it with that in mind. For your husband, I think the best thing a new agent can do is own something himself. Nothing teaches you what investors care about faster. Welcome aboard.
[email protected]484-791-6200
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Randy Schell
Member since 2026 · 153 posts · 17 votes
3d
Moving with a little one is stressful enough on its own, so go easy on yourselves. When you shop for the next house maybe look for one with an extra bedroom you could rent out down the road, that's a pretty gentle way to get started.
Randy, Bunklow
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Ryan BakerBusiness Member
Lender · Strongsville / Cleveland, OH · Member since 2026 · 83 posts · 15 votes
2d
Welcome, Lindsay, and congrats on starting this together. Since you're selling the condo to buy your next home, the biggest early win is getting financing lined up before you list, so you know your budget and how the sale proceeds and your next purchase fit together. A home with an extra unit or a room you can rent later is a gentle way to start building toward your goal, and with your husband in the business you'll have a nice edge on finding deals.
I'm a lender based in Northeast Ohio (Strongsville) doing investor loans like DSCR, fix and flip, bridge and multifamily, and I also have a local construction and property management team. When you're ready to buy that first investment, I can help you map out the path.
Happy to walk through the numbers on a quick call, my direct line and email are on my profile.
(Drafted with AI assistance.)
[email protected]330-548-3340
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Dan Worth
Pittsburgh, Allegheny County · Member since 2026 · 52 posts · 18 votes
2d
Congrats on the next step, Lindsay. Since you have to sell the condo anyway, look at whether your next home could be a 2-4 unit you live in, because owner-occupied loans need less down and the other units help cover the mortgage while your child is little. Your husband being an agent helps a lot here, since he can watch new listings and comps as they hit and you may save on commission when you sell. I'd also check out the Cleveland-area REIA meetups, which is usually the quickest way to find a mentor who invests locally.
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Divin KanyamaBusiness Member
Accountant · Seattle, WA · Member since 2025 · 618 posts · 254 votes
2d
Welcome, @Lindsay StahmCongrats on the little one! A realtor in the family already puts you ahead of most new investors.
Six years in your condo likely means some equity, which can fund your next home's down payment. An owner-occupied loan needs far less down than an investment loan. Talk to a lender before you sell so you know your budget, and ask a tax pro how the sale affects you.
For the next home, consider something that works for your family now and gives you options later, like a duplex, a house with a basement or ADU, or one you could keep as a rental when you move. Replacing your W2 is a multi-year goal, so start small, build an emergency fund, and learn to run deals with conservative numbers.
For a mentor, try local investor association meetings and investor-friendly agents, and offer to help in exchange for learning. You've got a great start!
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Nathan FisherBusiness Member
Property Manager · Cleveland, OH · Member since 2020 · 317 posts · 268 votes
2d
Go to some of the networking events that Cleveland has. InvestorSource, The Great Lakes REIA, Lokal's or @Michael Magno

[email protected]216-245-2901
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Arman AhmedPro Member
Real Estate Agent · Columbus Cleveland Dayton, OH · Member since 2024 · 2k+ posts · 968 votes
2d
Quote from @Lindsay Stahm:
Hello everyone! New investors here. My husband and I are looking to start our real estate investment journey. We are currently living in a condo that we have owned for the past 6 years, and now that we have a young child, we are looking for our next house. My husband is a new realtor. We cannot rent out our property; therefore, in order to get our next place,we need to sell. Looking for others who have been in similar situations for advice on how to get started with a child.Anybody looking for a Realtor to partner with? Also looking for a mentor. Our goal, like many others, is to be financially free and for me to quit my W2, replacing the income with real estate investments.
Hey Lindsay! Congrats on starting this journey as a family! Since you need to sell your condo first, I’d focus on building your cash reserves and learning how to analyze rental deals before making the next move. You don’t have to limit yourselves to your local market either. Midwest markets can offer more affordable entry points, even for out-of-state investing. Happy to share some insights and opportunities if you’re open to exploring Ohio!
[email protected]614-418-6081
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Marc MoraPro Member
Investor · Member since 2026 · 41 posts · 4 votes
2d
Hi @Lindsay Stahm! What is your end goal, specifically? I get what you’re going through. I can connect and help.
0 Reply
Hanna Muhammed
Member since 2026 · 2 posts · 0 votes
1d
Hey Everyone, This is Hanna, me and my fiancee have a cold calling agency, and if u need cold callers or Acquisitions, we have both, and we would be very excited to work with you!
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Keri Reidhead
Realtor · Show Low, AZ · Member since 2026 · 2 posts · 2 votes
1d
Since you're aware that you have to sell the condo, I wouldn't worry about finding your next investment home right away.
Find a home you like for your family and see what options that home may give you down the road. It could be a home where you may eventually be able to create some rental income, whether that's renting part of the home or adding another space if the property and local rules allow it. Or it could simply be a house you'll want to keep as a rental later.
Having your husband be a Realtor will also benefit you while you're learning. You can see many homes that are selling, look at the comps and attend inspections to learn more about why some properties sell well and others don't.
If your husband wants to help investors, I would try to find investors who know what they're looking for. That way he can learn what matters to them and how to better help them find the right properties.
I would also look for someone who is investing in the same way you eventually want to. There are lots of great mentors you can learn from, but you may end up learning more from several people with different experience than relying on just one person.
With a baby and another move already happening, I wouldn't feel like you have to rush into an investment too. You can use this next move as a way to start learning and put yourselves in a better position for the first one.
1 Reply
Cierra Aranya
Worthington, OH · Member since 2026 · 9 posts · 1 vote
1d
Congrats on taking the first step! Since you need to sell the condo to buy, the first thing to sort out is timing: sell first, buy first, or try to do both together. Each one changes how much cash you'll have and how much stress you'll carry. Ask a lender early whether you'd qualify for the new home while you still own the condo. Also ask about tools like contingent offers or using equity before the sale. That way you know your real options before you start shopping. One path worth looking at for your goals is buying a two- to four-unit property you live in. Owner-occupied financing is usually easier to get than investor financing, the other units help cover the payment, and it gets you started as a landlord while giving your family a home. With a little one, I'd also keep a solid cash cushion after closing rather than stretching for the biggest purchase possible. Good luck, and Ohio is a great market to learn in!
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Marc MoraPro Member
Investor · Member since 2026 · 41 posts · 4 votes
16h
@Lindsay Stahm, it would be great to connect with you and your husband. Selling the condo with a little one at home is a lot to line up at once. How much time you two really have each week will probably shape the rest of it. Glad to help however I can, including connecting you with the right people.
Just sent you a DM.
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