Starting out again

Starting out again

Member since 2025 路 7 posts 路 4 votes

Hi everybody! My name is James and I am 22 years old and looking to get into my first real estate investment via house hacking! I tried getting into this two years ago, however I was less educated on the subject and didn't have much saved up for a downpayment so in turn, I was frustrated that I could only afford a run down shack in the middle of nowhere, so after pushing that goal aside for a little I stumbled upon real estate riches from rich dad poor dad and my interest was peaked again! I now have 35k saved up, and a 750 credit score! I am still living with my parents and am blesssed that they are charging me a very gracious 500 a month for rent that includes food! But I am looking to get into either a duplex or multi family home in a appreciating city/ town where I live, I just wanted to introduce myself and ask how you all found properties? I am looking for an investor friendly real estate agent so I can look at some deals! And any advice would be greatly appreciated!! Thank you all!

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Bryce JamisonPro Member
Rental Property Investor 路 Mebane, NC 路 Member since 2015 路 494 posts 路 439 votes
1y

Check out the concept of a sales / deal funnel. It's basically the concept of taking a large pool of candidates and slowly shrinking them down to a few high qualified and likely deals.

I'm pretty low tech. I use the Zillow filters to select only properties in my buy box, then use the BP Rental Property Calculator to run numbers on the ones I'm interested in. BP also has a new Better Deals tool you could use. I haven't used it much yet, but it seems like it could help as a starting point. If you use it be sure to validate their assumptions like rent and insurance. 

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  • Bryce JamisonPro Member
    Rental Property Investor 路 Mebane, NC 路 Member since 2015 路 494 posts 路 439 votes
    1y

    Check out the concept of a sales / deal funnel. It's basically the concept of taking a large pool of candidates and slowly shrinking them down to a few high qualified and likely deals.

    I'm pretty low tech. I use the Zillow filters to select only properties in my buy box, then use the BP Rental Property Calculator to run numbers on the ones I'm interested in. BP also has a new Better Deals tool you could use. I haven't used it much yet, but it seems like it could help as a starting point. If you use it be sure to validate their assumptions like rent and insurance. 

    • Member since 2025 路 7 posts 路 4 votes
      1y

      @Bryce Jamison thank you Bryce! I will check out the Rental property calculator! And I like the idea of the sales/deal funnel! I am excited to start looking at some properties, and good to know Zillow is a good resource for looking! Thank you!

  • Real Estate Agent 路 Kansas City 路 Member since 2018 路 5k+ posts 路 3k+ votes
    1y

    Way to go on saving and keeping your head down. Focus on finding a solid agent and speaking with lenders. From there review properties

    • Member since 2025 路 7 posts 路 4 votes
      1y

      @Caleb Brown gotchu Caleb! I used the BP agent finder and waiting on a call back! I am very excited and thank you for the encouraging words!

  • Real Estate Agent 路 Member since 2023 路 831 posts 路 577 votes
    1y

    Hey James, congrats on stacking up $35k and building your credit score up to 750! House hacking sounds like the perfect move for your current situation. With the FHA loan option at 3.5% down, you can buy a duplex or small multi-unit property while keeping a good chunk of that $35k for reserves or your next deal. That flexibility makes a big difference once you're in the game.

    To find properties, the key is to research a solid, investor-friendly agent who understands house hacks and can help you find the right deal that fits you best. Best of luck!

    • Member since 2025 路 7 posts 路 4 votes
      1y

      @Nadeem Alamgir thank you Nadeem! I used the bigger pockets find an agent tool and am now waiting for a response! Do you recommend asking google for a good agent as a good move as well? Thank you for the response!

  • Dan SheeksPro Member
    Rental Property Investor 路 Denver, CO 路 Member since 2016 路 621 posts 路 362 votes
    1y

    Hey @James Kulka! Congrats on getting back in the game at such a young age! I'm glad to hear that you are pursuing a house hack as I think that is the BEST way for a young person to get started.

    I have a book (published by BiggerPockets) that you might find helpful. It鈥檚 called 饾悈饾悽饾惈饾惉饾惌 饾惌饾惃 饾悮 饾悓饾悽饾惀饾惀饾悽饾惃饾惂.

    https://store.biggerpockets.com/products/first-to-a-million

    I also run a networking group for young aspiring/beginner investors (between 15 and 26 years old), and one of the things we do is have a few Zoom meetings every month. If you'd like to join one sometime (no cost!), just let me know. We have many members who are house hacking at a young age.

    • Member since 2025 路 7 posts 路 4 votes
      1y

      @Dan Sheeks that is very interesting Dan! And your book is very fair price and well reviewed! I'd like to give it a read and the zoom calls are definitely interesting! Thank you for the information and response!

  • Aaron ZimmermanBusiness Member
    Accountant 路 Chicago, IL 路 Member since 2018 路 2k+ posts 路 1k+ votes
    1y

    I found all my properties on the MLS. Every investment property I've purchased has closed in December. I'd recommend looking now but more realistically try and find deals in the September - January time frame. Less competition and perhaps more inventory

    • Member since 2025 路 7 posts 路 4 votes
      1y

      @Aaron Zimmerman got you Aaron! I have no firm deadline so I can wait until closer to September! But I will also keep looking now just in case a nice deal slips through the cracks! Thank you for your response!

  • Dan SheeksPro Member
    Rental Property Investor 路 Denver, CO 路 Member since 2016 路 621 posts 路 362 votes
    1y

    @James Kulka I shoot you a DM with more info about our Zooms.

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