Beginner Looking to Start Real Estate Investing and Network

Member since 2025 · 3 posts · 4 votes

Hello everyone, I'm 20 years old , I'm new to BiggerPockets and real estate investing and I'm trying to learn as much as I can and connect with people who are active in real estate. I've been reading about creative financing, house hacking, BRRRR, and investing with low money down, and I'm very interested in learning how real deals actually work in real life.

If anyone in the area is willing to share advice, recommend how to get started, or allow me to learn from what they are doing, I would really appreciate it. I’m serious about learning and willing to put in the time and work.

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Arman AhmedPro Member

Real Estate Agent · Columbus Cleveland Dayton, OH · Member since 2024 · 2k+ posts · 956 votes

6mo

Quote from @Souleymane Diallo:

At 20, you’ve got a huge advantage, time on your side, and a willingness to learn. Jersey City is tough for low-money-down deals, so a lot of beginners also explore out-of-state markets like the Midwest, where entry costs are lower, cash flow is stronger, and you can see real returns faster. Pair that with a solid local team, PMs, contractors, and lenders, and you can start learning the ropes on actual deals without risking too much upfront. It’s a great way to get your hands dirty and build experience while keeping your risk manageable.

[email protected]614-418-6081

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Matthew Bernal
Investor · Austin, TX · Member since 2021 · 497 posts · 127 votes
6mo
Starting at 20 gives you a serious advantage but most people don't think about this until their 30s.

Focus on understanding financing early. Knowing how BRRRR and DSCR loans work before you find a deal means you can underwrite backwards from real numbers when the time comes.

Happy to be a resource when you get to that stage. What area are you in?
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- Souleymane Diallo
  OP
  Member since 2025 · 3 posts · 4 votes
  6mo
  Quote from @Matthew Bernal:
  
  Starting at 20 gives you a serious advantage but most people don't think about this until their 30s.
  
  Focus on understanding financing early. Knowing how BRRRR and DSCR loans work before you find a deal means you can underwrite backwards from real numbers when the time comes.
  
  Happy to be a resource when you get to that stage. What area are you in?
  Thank you for you advice. I’m based in Jersey City but looking to start in the Philly market since it seems more beginner-friendly.
  
  Right now I’m just trying to build my understanding and connect with people who are actually doing deals.
  
  Would love to stay in touch and learn from other people .
  
  1 Reply
- Matthew Bernal
  Investor · Austin, TX · Member since 2021 · 497 posts · 127 votes
  6mo
  Quote from @Souleymane Diallo:
  
  Quote from @Matthew Bernal:
  
  Starting at 20 gives you a serious advantage but most people don't think about this until their 30s.
  
  Focus on understanding financing early. Knowing how BRRRR and DSCR loans work before you find a deal means you can underwrite backwards from real numbers when the time comes.
  
  Happy to be a resource when you get to that stage. What area are you in?
  Thank you for you advice. I’m based in Jersey City but looking to start in the Philly market since it seems more beginner-friendly.
  
  Right now I’m just trying to build my understanding and connect with people who are actually doing deals.
  
  Would love to stay in touch and learn from other people .
  
  I would be happy to connect! Thanks
  0 Reply
Alfath AhmedBusiness Member
Real Estate Agent · Columbus, OH · Member since 2022 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
6mo
Quote from @Souleymane Diallo:

Hello everyone, I'm 20 years old , I'm new to BiggerPockets and real estate investing and I'm trying to learn as much as I can and connect with people who are active in real estate. I've been reading about creative financing, house hacking, BRRRR, and investing with low money down, and I'm very interested in learning how real deals actually work in real life.

If anyone in the area is willing to share advice, recommend how to get started, or allow me to learn from what they are doing, I would really appreciate it. I’m serious about learning and willing to put in the time and work.

Start with a house-hack at 20 years old. That's what i did at 22 years old when i bought my first property. It won't be easy since your market is expensive.
In the future, look into the midwest for OOS investing. You want a market that is tech driven, landlord friendly, and affordable. That will mean more jobs, more income, higher property prices, and better opportunity for your rental to perform better.

Any state in the midwest works. Find a major city and only invest there. Connect with a good investor-focused agent who is also an investor themselves. Have him connect you with his team of contractors, lenders, property managers. Go visit the market.

Your agent will send you good investment opportunities off-market and on-market. Ask for rent comps, sales comps, info on mechanicals, and have agent find out how far on the price you guys can go to make it make sense.

[email protected]614-802-5698
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Arman AhmedPro Member
Real Estate Agent · Columbus Cleveland Dayton, OH · Member since 2024 · 2k+ posts · 956 votes
6mo
Quote from @Souleymane Diallo:

Hello everyone, I'm 20 years old , I'm new to BiggerPockets and real estate investing and I'm trying to learn as much as I can and connect with people who are active in real estate. I've been reading about creative financing, house hacking, BRRRR, and investing with low money down, and I'm very interested in learning how real deals actually work in real life.

If anyone in the area is willing to share advice, recommend how to get started, or allow me to learn from what they are doing, I would really appreciate it. I’m serious about learning and willing to put in the time and work.

At 20, you’ve got a huge advantage, time on your side, and a willingness to learn. Jersey City is tough for low-money-down deals, so a lot of beginners also explore out-of-state markets like the Midwest, where entry costs are lower, cash flow is stronger, and you can see real returns faster. Pair that with a solid local team, PMs, contractors, and lenders, and you can start learning the ropes on actual deals without risking too much upfront. It’s a great way to get your hands dirty and build experience while keeping your risk manageable.
[email protected]614-418-6081
1 Reply
Souleymane Diallo
OP
Member since 2025 · 3 posts · 4 votes
6mo
Appreciate you sharing that, that was really helpful.

I’m based in Jersey City so I definitely feel what you’re saying about the prices. I’ve been looking into Philly as a starting point just to get some experience and better numbers.
Would definitely be interested in staying in touch and learning more from your experience.

Still learning the ropes, but your advice gave me a clearer direction.

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William Rizer
Member since 2023 · 79 posts · 27 votes
6mo
Hey Souleymane! I also agree that house hacking is a great way to start! Right now there are a lot of lenders offering incentives that would completely cover your down payment. With the current state of the market, sellers concessions are very common, which could cover your closing costs. Great time to get in if you're looking to do so with little to no money down! For me, obtaining accurate information on financing, lending products, and buyer eligibility criteria was the hardest part for me to get into investing. Not understanding the financing, but just obtaining accurate information. I had a few MLOs/ Realtors give me poor advice during Covid and caused a lot of headaches and almost lost a couple deals. Thats when I decided to get licensed myself. Get with a good MLO or seasoned investor to help you figure out which strategy would work best for you. I'm also somewhat in the area, Bristol, Pa. I'm in North Jersey from time to time and in Voorhees/Cherry Hill as well as the Jersey Shore. Reach out to me if you ever want to pick my brain!
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Wale LawalBusiness Member
Real Estate Broker · Houston | Dallas | Austin, TX · Member since 2018 · 5k+ posts · 2k+ votes
6mo
@Souleymane Diallo
I think you are on the right path now, I would pick one strategy simple buy and hold or house hacking and learn as much as you can about it in depth instead of trying to know everything on the front end. I would also start analyzing real deals network using bigger pockets or local rei clubs to figure out how deals are done in the real world instead of theorizing about all the possibilities. The fastest way to learn is to immerse yourself in the world of people doing deals and take action on your first deal.
Good luck!
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Mohammed Rahman
Real Estate Broker · New York, NY · Member since 2020 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
6mo
A practical way to get started, once you’ve got the fundamentals down, is to start exploring how deals actually work. Talk with investor-friendly lenders to learn about your financing options and what’s realistic for your situation. Practice analyzing potential deals to understand cash flow, expenses, and returns. Go tour properties in your area to see what’s on the market and get a feel for different neighborhoods. Combining this hands-on experience with the knowledge you’ve already built will help you connect theory to real-world investing and get you ready to take your first steps when the opportunity arises.
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Beau Menegay
Uniontown, OH · Member since 2015 · 36 posts · 7 votes
6mo
Hey man, props to you for getting started this early — you’re already ahead of most people just by taking action and asking questions.

You're on the right track looking into BRRRR, house hacking, and creative finance, but one thing I wish I learned sooner is this:

understanding deals > knowing strategies.

A lot of beginners get stuck in “learning mode” but never actually analyze real properties. The fastest way to level up is:
- Start running numbers on actual deals (even if you’re not buying yet)
- Learn what a good deal vs a bad deal looks like
- Understand how rehab, holding costs, and margins actually affect profit
If you can get good at analyzing deals, everything else (funding, partners, etc.) becomes way easier.

What I personally started doing was running multiple deals side-by-side to compare ROI, profit, and risk — that's when things really started to click.

If you want, I can share a simple way to analyze deals quickly without overcomplicating it. Just shoot me a message 👍
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JooYung Choi
Realtor · NJ · Member since 2023 · 215 posts · 99 votes
6mo
Love a young hustler! Take advantage of an FHA loan and buy a multi family ASAP! Of course, you should be learning, networking, working up deals for practice in the mean time. Your goal should be to save as much money as possible to get into your first MFH! Best of luck to you
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Dominic RosatoBusiness Member
Real Estate Agent · Jersey City, NJ · Member since 2022 · 82 posts · 61 votes
6mo
Hi Souleymane - Despite the high prices in Jersey City, I think our area is primed to continue growing and IF you can get in on it, you'll reap the rewards 5/10/15 years down the line. The amount of investment and development going on here is crazy, and prices/rents continue to go up even as the supply goes up, indicating we are STILL under supplied.
I would look at a 5% down house hack if I were you. If the numbers don't work for you in JC, I'd check out Bayonne or Union City (but beware of rent control there).
Feel free to reach out if you ever want to talk strategy. I am an investor-friendly realtor here in JC and I live in the Heights myself.
[email protected]973-224-8969
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Jimmy LieuBusiness Member
Real Estate Agent · Columbus, OH · Member since 2019 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
6mo
Quote from @Souleymane Diallo:

Hello everyone, I'm 20 years old , I'm new to BiggerPockets and real estate investing and I'm trying to learn as much as I can and connect with people who are active in real estate. I've been reading about creative financing, house hacking, BRRRR, and investing with low money down, and I'm very interested in learning how real deals actually work in real life.

If anyone in the area is willing to share advice, recommend how to get started, or allow me to learn from what they are doing, I would really appreciate it. I’m serious about learning and willing to put in the time and work.

Hey Souleymane, welcome to BP, good to see you getting started early and actually taking time to learn the different strategies instead of just jumping in blind. At 20, the biggest advantage you have is time, so don’t stress about trying to master everything at once, just focus on understanding the basics really well like how deals are analyzed, what makes a property actually cash flow, and how financing really works in practice because that’s where most beginners get tripped up. A lot of the strategies you mentioned like BRRRR, house hacking, and creative financing all work, but in real life they only work if you’re comfortable talking to sellers, lenders, contractors, and agents and learning how to put a team together even on small deals. The best way to learn is honestly to start looking at real listings, running the numbers daily, and asking questions on deals you don’t understand so it slowly starts clicking, and along the way you’ll naturally connect with people who are actually active because you’re engaging in real conversations, not just theory. Keep that seriousness and willingness to put in the work and you’ll be ahead of most people who start out.

[email protected]614-300-7535
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Lindsay DavisBusiness Member
Real Estate Broker · Birmingham, AL · Member since 2019 · 327 posts · 203 votes
5mo
@Souleymane Diallo,

You’re starting early, which is a huge advantage.

I second @Alfath Ahmed's comment: house hacking’s a great way to get started, and won’t create too much extra work or feel like a second job since you live on-site.

Plus, minimizing your housing expenses, especially in Jersey City, can help you save faster.

If you’re open to the idea, relocating just a little further out, maybe 20 to 30 minutes or so, can lower the barrier to entry even further.

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Jake Handler
Real Estate Agent · Morristown, NJ · Member since 2020 · 207 posts · 128 votes
4mo
you can do many strategies later in life, but as a 20 year old you are in your prime house hacking window. don't overcomplicate it. just buy a property, move into it, and rent out as much space as possible. repeat.
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Garrett CrosbyPro Member
Real Estate Agent · Los Angeles, United States · Member since 2021 · 392 posts · 162 votes
4mo
Starting at 20 is a real advantage — most people your age aren't even thinking about this yet. Here's the most practical advice I can give you based on what I've seen work:
Before you worry about which strategy to use, focus on understanding how real estate is financed. The person who understands money — how loans work, how lenders underwrite, what reserves mean to a bank — has a massive edge over the person who only knows deal strategy. Read up on how FHA, conventional, and DSCR loans work. Talk to a lender before you're even ready to buy.
On the NJ/Philly question — either market can work but they're different challenges. The house hack is your best first move in either market. You get owner-occupied financing (lower rates, lower down), you stop paying someone else's rent, and you learn landlording with a tenant you can actually talk to if something goes wrong. Do 20-30 fake deal analyses on actual listings before you're ready to pull the trigger. That's the fastest education you can get. Feel free to DM anytime.
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