How to begin Investing

Question

Im a completely new to real estate and would like to know if someone could help me and guide me through getting my first deal

R. Elle Berry · Answer

Hello Korey! I hope my response below helps you.

• Learn the basics of real estate investing; how to analyze deals, what cash flow means, and the different strategies (rentals, flips, wholesaling, etc.). Books, podcasts, and local meetups can be really helpful.
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• Take a look at your budget and credit. Even if you’re planning to use creative financing or partnerships, understanding your own financial starting point is important.
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• Connect with other investors, agents, or local real estate groups. Many investors are open to sharing experiences, and it’s a great way to learn what works in your market.
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• Your first deal doesn’t have to be huge. Sometimes a single family rental or even a small multifamily is a great way to learn while minimizing risk.
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• Get comfortable analyzing properties. The numbers will tell you if it’s a good deal or not, don’t just go by how the house looks. And execute!

Arman Ahmed · Answer

@Korey Tugard

Hey Korey, welcome! The best first step is figuring out your goal—cash flow vs. appreciation—and your budget. From there, start analyzing small, manageable deals, connect with experienced investors or agents, and learn to run the numbers on potential properties. Even as a newbie, having a mentor or someone local to guide you can make a huge difference.

Matthew Thornton · Answer

Location your looking to Invest in?

Zachariah Hays · Answer

Hey Korey. Saw a couple of your posts on here. Sounds like you are ready to get going, just trying to find the right direction. Alot of the answers kind of depends on your goals and current income situation (as much as I hate to say that). The good news is, whatever your current situation is, there is a strategy. More than happy to talk through things via DM or in person as I am local to Cleveland myself. Best of luck!

Kerlous Tadres · Answer

The best first step is to build a solid team before you chase a deal. I’d recommend finding an investor-friendly agent in your target market, a good lender who understands investment loans, and a contractor you can trust for repair estimates. Start by getting pre-approved so you know your budget. While you’re doing that, learn how to quickly analyze a deal, figure out rent potential, expenses, and cash flow. Even running numbers on listings every day helps you get comfortable. Once you’re ready, focus on one simple strategy for your first deal, like house-hacking a duplex or buying a small single-family rental. It keeps things manageable and gives you real-world experience fast.

Joseph Tadres · Answer

I’d recommend starting small, like a SFH or duplex, and focus on building a solid “core four” (agent, lender, contractor, PM). Run the numbers, make sure it cash flows, then take action, your first deal doesn’t need to be perfect, just a learning step.

James Wise · Answer

Location will be the most important thing. Give The Ultimate Guide to Grading Cleveland Neighborhoods a read before you get started. This way you'll understand where to look when you're ready to start looking.

Izaiah Barba · Answer

Hey Korey, what helped me most was connecting with other local investors and joining groups where people shared real deal breakdowns. If you’re in Cleveland, you’ve got a good market to work with. Let me know what direction you're thinking (wholesale, flips, or rentals) and I see if I can point you to the right tools or people.

Al Watts · Answer

A lot of comments that are trying to help folks on these forums get deleted. I’m not sure how else to tell folks how to get started in real estate.

Terrance Hill · Answer

Welcome! The best way to start is to learn, plan, and take action. Start by deciding which strategy fits your goals—house hacking, buy-and-hold rentals, or small fix-and-flips are great first steps. Build a basic team (investor-friendly agent, lender, contractor, and property manager if needed), run the numbers on a few potential deals, and pick one manageable property to start with. Education is important, but you’ll learn the most by doing your first deal.

How to begin Investing

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