If You Had to Start Over Today, What Would You Do First?

Question

Curious to hear from more experienced investors here.

If you had to start from scratch today:

• No portfolio
• Limited capital
• Current market conditions

What would you focus on first?

I see a lot of new investors trying to figure this out right now.

Marcus Auerbach · Answer

Find a way to generate cash flow. Probably online, AI based or with a service business.

The best time to get into RE was 15 years ago, REI today it's a little bit like going skiing in April or going swimming in October. Yes you can, but it's not going to be great.

Dominic Mazzarella · Answer

If I were starting over, I’d spend most of my time finding actual deals, not just browsing listings. One overlooked signal is checking local code enforcement data,those trouble spots often point to motivated sellers or landlords who might be ready to move. Building relationships with contractors and local inspectors helps, too, so you know what you’re getting into upfront. Focus less on shiny comps and more on real distress or upside in the property. Experience will teach you what’s worth your time, but your first move should be developing a lead flow that brings you off-market opportunities. That’s how you find deals before others do.

Christopher Tile · Answer

Piggybacking off @Marcus Auerbach.

Make money, then invest in real estate. Of course, you can make money in real estate as a realtor, wholesaler, GP (you need to be extremely experienced). But for someone that is looking to get into real estate, I'd say find a way to generate cash flow/get the capital needed for real estate investing.

If you jump into it too quick with limited capital, you have to really consider the stress any deal will bring. If it goes south (nothing is guaranteed in this world) you won't be in the best spot financially/mentally, and that can take over your life.

While you have limited capital, invest in building your knowledge. Analyze deals daily and meet people in the space that introduce you to new ideas. When the capital catches up, you'll be better off than a large majority of people that rush into deals just for the sake of being in real estate.

Marcus Auerbach · Answer

Starting on a team for the way to go for a new agent, 100%.

But I also should say that the 2 years after I quit corporate and became licensed were the two weakest in my investing career. I went from buying a property every 6-8 weeks to almost zero. Eventually I got going, but I never reached those levels again.

Maybe it is just too distracting taking care of clients; if you take your job seriously as an agent it consumes a lot of mental bandwidth. There is a reason why very few agents invests in RE - I have even taught classes to agents at my brokerage and many like the idea, but nothing ever comes out of it.

If You Had to Start Over Today, What Would You Do First?

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