Investor · Los Angeles · Member since 2020 · 34 posts · 8 votes
Hey BiggerPockets community!
I’m currently based in Los Angeles and planning to move within the next year to either Charlotte, Tennessee, or Texas. As part of preparing for that transition, I’ve been researching ways to start investing in real estate now to build momentum before the move.
I recently came across a video about Real Wealth Network on YouTube. It sounds like they help newer investors, out-of-state buyers, and busy professionals (like me) find turnkey properties with property management already in place.
I’m wondering — has anyone here actually invested their own money with Real Wealth Network? What was your experience like? Would you recommend them for someone just getting their feet wet?
Also, I currently have about $20K to invest. Would love to hear your advice on the smartest way to deploy that into real estate, especially as a first investment while still living in California.
Thanks so much in advance for any insights or advice you can share!
20K is not enough so I would continue saving. You need enough for the down payment, closing costs and reserves. Turnkey providers are hit and miss. I would try to do a house hack first. You can use owner occupied loans to get into the door.
agreed here. 20k is not enough. There are fancy ways you will hear no money down but be very careful about those methods. I heard someone try to convince me that they can buy an appt building with 0 money down by using cash from a credit card. Poor person who fell for that and their home didnt appreicate enough to cash out refi and pay off the debt...
There are many turnkey providers out there, so take the time to review offers from multiple sources. Once you have a few options, run your own numbers—don’t just rely on the Proforma they provide. There are several key metrics you need to analyze when evaluating a property.
Personally, my main criteria are positive cash flow and a strong CoC. I use a simple calculator that pulls all the essential metrics together in just 2–3 minutes. If the numbers look good, then I dig deeper.
20K is not enough so I would continue saving. You need enough for the down payment, closing costs and reserves. Turnkey providers are hit and miss. I would try to do a house hack first. You can use owner occupied loans to get into the door.
20K is not enough so I would continue saving. You need enough for the down payment, closing costs and reserves. Turnkey providers are hit and miss. I would try to do a house hack first. You can use owner occupied loans to get into the door.
agreed here. 20k is not enough. There are fancy ways you will hear no money down but be very careful about those methods. I heard someone try to convince me that they can buy an appt building with 0 money down by using cash from a credit card. Poor person who fell for that and their home didnt appreicate enough to cash out refi and pay off the debt...
welcome to the BP community. Hopefully you find that this is a great place to learn and get advice.
I talk with investors all the time who are looking to invest OOS, because it doesn't make sense for them to invest in their home market. For a new investor like yourself, I would strongly advise to look for a turnkey option. Not all turnkey companies are the same though. It is good to do some investigation into the differences in how the turkey is approached.
The market is also a major concern. The three that you are considering to would all work if bought in the right way. These are all markets that are growing in population and employment. This makes the deal, and how it's put together the most important thing. You are in a good spot right now to look at a number of deals and see which one works best for your investing goals.
Feel free to connect, if I could help more to clarify your options.
You're asking the right questions. Real Wealth Network is legit, but remember — they’re a marketing platform, not the operator. You still need to vet each property and team individually. Some deals are solid, some are just OK.
With $20K, you’ll be limited on buying straight up. You might want to:
Partner on a small deal
House hack before you move
Or build cash flow first through private lending or fractional investing
If you’re heading to Tennessee or Texas, you're moving toward strong long-term markets — just be selective.
Bottom line: 20K is a great start. Don't rush into a turnkey just to feel "in the game." Smart, steady moves will set you up way better than chasing fast action.
You're asking all the right questions. Real Wealth Network is one option, but if you're serious about getting started before your move, I'd also suggest looking into markets like Memphis, especially with your $20K budget. Memphis has affordable, fully renovated properties around $100K–$140K, strong rental demand thanks to major employers like FedEx and St. Jude, and solid property management already in place. Which makes it perfect for out-of-state investors who need a true turnkey setup. With 20% down, you could easily get into a cash-flowing property without stretching yourself thin. Plus, working directly with a full in-house team (acquisitions, rehab, management) gives you more transparency than some national networks. If you want, I can walk you through how other first-time investors are getting started here safely and building momentum before their big moves. You’re on the right track! Keep that momentum going!
With $20K to invest and plans to move within a year, you're in a great spot to start small and smart. Turnkey providers like Real Wealth Network can be helpful for out-of-state investing, especially if you're busy—but always vet the property, market, and team thoroughly. In Texas, markets like San Antonio, Houston, and parts of DFW still offer solid cash-flow potential and investor-friendly laws. You might consider a partner-friendly market and possibly use that $20K toward a down payment on a small single-family rental with local property management in place. DM me and I’ll point you in the right direction based on your goals and timeline.
Thanks so much for the insight! I really appreciate the reminder to run my own numbers and focus on cash flow and CoC. I may take you up on the DM soon once I dive a little deeper. Appreciate you!
Thanks so much for the warm welcome and thoughtful advice! I really appreciate you breaking it down — especially the point about not all turnkey providers being the same. I’ll definitely take time to compare deals and make sure the market and structure align with my long-term goals. I may reach out soon to connect further. Thanks again!
I really appreciate this perspective — especially the reminder that Real Wealth is a marketing platform, not the operator. That definitely helps reframe how I approach them. I’m taking your advice to heart about being selective and not rushing in just to get started. Slow and smart wins. Thanks again!
Thanks so much — this is super helpful! Memphis sounds like a strong fit, especially with the in-house team model and lower entry point. I’d definitely be open to learning how other new investors are getting started there safely. I really appreciate you sharing this — it’s giving me a lot to think about as I plan my next steps!
20K isn't enough, period. just keep saving so that you can house hack when you move to your new destination. if you house hack twice you'll be ahead of 90% of people.
I've purchased a few properties through Real Wealth and overall, it's been good. They do provide a lot of guidance and resources to help you get started. However, at the end of the day, as everyone else has stated, you still have to do your own due diligence. Let me know if there's anything I can answer about working with them.
I’ve looked into Real Wealth Network too — they do cater to out-of-state, hands-off investors and offer decent education. But keep in mind, they're a referral network, so your experience will really depend on the local teams they connect you with (agents, property managers, etc.). Some folks have had solid results, others felt the deals were overpriced or too cookie-cutter.
With $20K, you’ve got a few solid options:
Partner on a deal (maybe bring the capital while someone else brings the experience or financing).
Look into BRRRR-friendly markets (Midwest or South) where $20K can go toward a down payment + light rehab.
Or try house hacking if you’re open to living in the property.
If turnkey feels right for your lifestyle, just vet the team hard — ask for past performance, tenant retention, vacancy rates, etc. And definitely get a second opinion before wiring money.
His question is if anyone has actually used them to purchase a property. If so, please share your experience as I am looking for information on them also.