Beginner Investor with questions

[Tara Witherbee]

Hello!

I am a beginner investor (I just started investing with Realbricks.com about a month ago), and I am interested in learning and gaining as much information and knowledge as possible about investing. I am looking into rental for passive income, but I may be interested in commercial, too. Currently, I am on the fence on whether to invest with Groundfloor online. Has anyone had any experience with this company? I am unsure about the interest that accumulates when investing even if I start out small. I am aware of the risk, however. 

does anyone know of any investing events that are here in Las Vegas that I can look into? Thank you for any feedback or advice, I would greatly appreciate it! Have a Beautiful Day!

Sincerely,

Tara

[Melissa Justice]

@Tara Witherbee,

Hey, welcome to the BiggerPockets community and congrats on already taking action with platforms like Realbricks! That’s a great way to start getting exposure to real estate.

As for Groundfloor, it's a legit platform focused on short-term real estate debt investing (mostly fix-and-flip loans). Many investors like it for the passive nature and relatively high yields, but you're right to be cautious - the risk is real, especially since you’re investing in individual loans. Starting small, like you mentioned, is smart until you get more comfortable with how it works.

Investing Events in Las Vegas
Yes! You’re in luck - BiggerPockets Conference (BP Con) is coming to Las Vegas this October!
It’s one of the biggest real estate investing conferences in the country - perfect for beginners and seasoned investors alike. I'll be there :-) 

You'll get to:
Learn from top investors in rental, commercial, and multifamily strategies
Attend workshops on scaling portfolios, creative financing, and tax-saving tactics
Network with thousands of real estate pros, lenders, and mentors
Leave with actual action steps to grow your wealth
It’s a powerful environment if you’re looking to get serious about building passive income.

Passive Income Tip: Look into Turnkey Rentals in the Midwest & Southeast
Since you mentioned you're exploring rentals for passive income, definitely look into turnkey single-family properties in Midwest and Southeast markets. These areas still offer:

Affordable entry points (often under $150K)
Strong rent-to-price ratios
Landlord-friendly laws
Reliable property management teams

Cities like Indianapolis, Birmingham, Cleveland, and Memphis are investor favorites for a reason. You can purchase properties that are already rehabbed, tenant-occupied, and cash-flowing, making them perfect for out-of-state investors who want truly hands-off income.

Keep asking questions, keep learning, and definitely consider coming to BP Con if you want to meet others who’ve done exactly what you're trying to do. Always here to help if you want to discuss specific markets or run deals side by side.

Best of luck,

Melissa