New to the game (I’m 16 yrs old)

[Julian Zuniga]

Hi my name is Julian and I'm a 16 yr old entrepreneur. I run a media brand called "Media Matters" that will hopefully be my tool for networking in the real estate industry. That's because the sole purpose of the business is to promote businesses and or promote properties that are being sold. Through this I hope to learn more about real estate and business. I'm relatively new in real estate but I want to build a firm foundation in my knowledge before I even begin looking at a property to buy. If you have any advice on where to start or what to learn please let me know.

[Lisa Choi]

Hey Julian, welcome to BiggerPockets — and major props to you for getting started at 16! That’s incredibly impressive, and you’re already thinking like a long-term entrepreneur by using media as a networking tool. "Media Matters" sounds like a smart way to create value for others while learning the ins and outs of real estate.

Since you’re focused on building a solid foundation before diving into your first deal, here are a few tips to help guide your learning:

1. Start with strategy basics – Learn the key paths in real estate: buy-and-hold, house hacking, wholesaling, flipping, short-term rentals, etc. This helps you figure out what excites you and matches your strengths.

2. Master the numbers – Get comfortable analyzing deals (rents, expenses, cash flow, ROI). Even if you're not buying yet, practicing this helps build real-world confidence.

3. Read books – A few great ones to start with:

   • The Book on Rental Property Investing by Brandon Turner

   • Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki

   • The Millionaire Real Estate Investor by Gary Keller

4. Talk to investors – Your media brand gives you the perfect excuse to interview local real estate pros. Ask about their first deal, biggest mistake, or what they’d do differently. Those stories are gold.

5. Stay consistent – Focus on progress, not perfection. Set a goal to learn a little each week, even if it's just reading a blog or listening to one podcast.

You’re way ahead of the game, and by combining media with learning, you're building both a skill set and a network — two things that compound massively over time.

Keep it up and best of luck to you!