22-year-old looking to break into real estate development — what steps should I be ta
Hey BP community,
I’m 22, based in NYC, and I’ve been seriously thinking about real estate development as a long-term path. I have some exposure to real estate concepts (wholesaling, deal analysis, market research) and I’m motivated, but I’m not sure what the most practical first moves are for someone at my stage.
A few things about my situation:
• Still in school (finishing my degree in a couple years)
• No huge capital to deploy yet, but I’m working and saving
• NYC/tri-state area is my market, but open to learning anywhere
My questions for those who’ve been in the trenches:
1. What should I actually be doing right now — reading, networking, working for a developer, something else?
2. Is it worth starting small (like a small multifamily rehab) before going full development, or do you build the skills differently?
3. Who should I be trying to connect with? Architects? Contractors? Lenders? In what order does it actually matter?
4. Any certifications, courses, or books that genuinely moved the needle for you vs. the stuff that’s just noise?
5. What do you wish you had done at 22 that you didn’t?
Not looking for a “just get started” pep talk — I want the real tactical breakdown from people who’ve actually done it. What are the 2-3 moves that matter most early on?
Appreciate any insight. Happy to share more about my background if it helps.