Fairly New RE Investor Learning the Ropes

Fairly New RE Investor Learning the Ropes

Kate BoliaPro Member
Member since 2025 · 2 posts · 4 votes

I’m relatively new to RE.  I built a house in Bali, Indonesia that I put on the short term rental market and it’s been going well.  It cash flows approx $2,500/month.  I had absolutely no idea what I was doing when I started.  I just had a feeling it would be a good investment and jumped thru a bunch of hoops to make it happen.  My research has lead me to a plan of holding onto it for approximately 5 years and then selling.  I may re-invest in Bali at that point, it really just depends on how well I’ve done and what’s going on in the Bali market. 

Now I'm looking to roll some money over from my IRA to a self directed Roth and start investing in some RE here in the states. I'm eager to learn, but want to get started right away, so I'm thinking of making a few investments with Spark Rental as a passive investor.

My boyfriend is a contractor and we have discussed doing a couple of flipping deals and/or doing long-term rentals here in the Atlanta area.  I want to learn as much as I can about deals before we pull the trigger on something, so we make the best decision.  I’m looking forward to connecting with some RE investors here in the Atlanta area, as well as the larger community, for knowledge and advice.  In and ideal world, I’d love to find a mentor that I could assist in exchange for learning the ropes! 

Thanks!

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Brett SynickyPro Member
Solo 401k and SDIRA Consultant · Orange, CA · Member since 2013 · 875 posts · 498 votes
1y
Quote from @Kate Bolia:

I’m relatively new to RE.  I built a house in Bali, Indonesia that I put on the short term rental market and it’s been going well.  It cash flows approx $2,500/month.  I had absolutely no idea what I was doing when I started.  I just had a feeling it would be a good investment and jumped thru a bunch of hoops to make it happen.  My research has lead me to a plan of holding onto it for approximately 5 years and then selling.  I may re-invest in Bali at that point, it really just depends on how well I’ve done and what’s going on in the Bali market. 

Now I'm looking to roll some money over from my IRA to a self directed Roth and start investing in some RE here in the states. I'm eager to learn, but want to get started right away, so I'm thinking of making a few investments with Spark Rental as a passive investor.

My boyfriend is a contractor and we have discussed doing a couple of flipping deals and/or doing long-term rentals here in the Atlanta area.  I want to learn as much as I can about deals before we pull the trigger on something, so we make the best decision.  I’m looking forward to connecting with some RE investors here in the Atlanta area, as well as the larger community, for knowledge and advice.  In and ideal world, I’d love to find a mentor that I could assist in exchange for learning the ropes! 

Thanks!


 Well done what a great investment!
When it comes to self directing the two most popular vehicles are self directed IRA and Solo 401K. for real estate it's helpful to use a checkbook IRA for efficiency and some liability protection with the LLC.
Learn more about checkbook IRA here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/member-blogs/2810/blog_posts/2...

If you’re self employed with no full time employees the solo 401K is in many ways the “Ultimate Retirement Plan”
Learn more about solo 401K here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/member-blogs/2810/21298-solo-4...

Be aware of prohibited transactions and disqualified parties. 

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  • Brett SynickyPro Member
    Solo 401k and SDIRA Consultant · Orange, CA · Member since 2013 · 875 posts · 498 votes
    1y
    Quote from @Kate Bolia:

    I’m relatively new to RE.  I built a house in Bali, Indonesia that I put on the short term rental market and it’s been going well.  It cash flows approx $2,500/month.  I had absolutely no idea what I was doing when I started.  I just had a feeling it would be a good investment and jumped thru a bunch of hoops to make it happen.  My research has lead me to a plan of holding onto it for approximately 5 years and then selling.  I may re-invest in Bali at that point, it really just depends on how well I’ve done and what’s going on in the Bali market. 

    Now I'm looking to roll some money over from my IRA to a self directed Roth and start investing in some RE here in the states. I'm eager to learn, but want to get started right away, so I'm thinking of making a few investments with Spark Rental as a passive investor.

    My boyfriend is a contractor and we have discussed doing a couple of flipping deals and/or doing long-term rentals here in the Atlanta area.  I want to learn as much as I can about deals before we pull the trigger on something, so we make the best decision.  I’m looking forward to connecting with some RE investors here in the Atlanta area, as well as the larger community, for knowledge and advice.  In and ideal world, I’d love to find a mentor that I could assist in exchange for learning the ropes! 

    Thanks!


     Well done what a great investment!
    When it comes to self directing the two most popular vehicles are self directed IRA and Solo 401K. for real estate it's helpful to use a checkbook IRA for efficiency and some liability protection with the LLC.
    Learn more about checkbook IRA here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/member-blogs/2810/blog_posts/2...

    If you’re self employed with no full time employees the solo 401K is in many ways the “Ultimate Retirement Plan”
    Learn more about solo 401K here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/member-blogs/2810/21298-solo-4...

    Be aware of prohibited transactions and disqualified parties. 

  • Investor · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2013 · 646 posts · 392 votes
    1y

    Hi @Kate Bolia

    Feel free to reach out or DM happy to connect. You can find more information about me on my profile.

    Thanks

  • Real Estate Agent · Atlanta Metro · Member since 2025 · 5 posts · 0 votes
    1y

    HI @Kate Bolia Congratulations on your first deal!!  That's great cash flow! 

  • Roger StPierreBusiness Member
    Lender · Rapid City, SD · Member since 2017 · 30 posts · 20 votes
    1y

    Congrats on a good piece of work. If you do invest with your SD Plan, know that you can use leverage and finance a portion of that purchase. Non Recourse Loans are the type of loan required when leveraging investment property within a self directed Solo 401K or Self Directed IRA.

    First Western Federal Savings Bank
  • Julio GonzalezPro Member
    Specialist · West Palm Beach, FL · Member since 2008 · 4k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    1y

    Looking forward to seeing your progress! The community here is a great place to learn and grow!

    -Julio

  • Real Estate Agent · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2020 · 416 posts · 233 votes
    1y

    Kate - that is awesome to hear about your Bali property!

    Incredibly random.. but my cousin has also built and owns a few STRs in Bali as well. My wife and I stayed at one of them about a month ago and it was an awesome experience! 

    Check out GAREIA - great place to get involved in that Atlanta REI scene. Best advice would be to start getting networked in the Atlanta market and go from there - lot to do here!

  • Accountant · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2025 · 2 posts · 0 votes
    1y

    Hi Kate - an investment in Bali sounds like a dream! 

    I can offer tax strategy or other bookkeeping/accounting advice. Please feel free to DM me!

  • Member since 2025 · 4 posts · 2 votes
    1y

    Hey Kate! I'm new here to looking to make some connections.  I used to have my real estate license and love the industry.  My career took a different path but now I would love to get back in.  I am looking to start out wholesaling and thought this would be a great place to start making connections with investors.  I am in TN right outside Chattanooga, so not to far from ATL.  Let me know if you might be interested in something in this area. 

  • Melissa JusticeBusiness Member
    Rental Property Investor · Phoenix, AZ · Member since 2024 · 518 posts · 1k+ votes
    1y

    Hey @Kate Bolia, 

    Love your story—jumping into your Bali project with conviction and turning it into a cash-flowing asset is impressive, especially for a first-time investor. That kind of bold action, paired with a willingness to learn, is exactly what makes for long-term success in real estate.

    Transitioning into U.S.-based investing with a self-directed Roth is a smart move, and combining that with your boyfriend’s contracting skills opens up a lot of doors—flips, BRRRRs, or long-term holds. Getting plugged into a strong network and working alongside a mentor is huge. It shortens the learning curve and helps you avoid costly mistakes.

    If you’re looking to gain exposure to different markets or build passive income faster, that's exactly what we have helped investors do at Rent to Retirement through BP - assisting in getting started in cash-flowing markets across the U.S., handling the heavy lifting—property sourcing, management, etc—so you can focus on learning and building your portfolio confidently.

    Welcome to the journey! You're already well on your way.

    Wishing you much success,

    Melissa Justice

    Investment Strategist at Rent to Retirement

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