New to real estate investing and property management / Nice to meet everyone!

[Gwen Gibson]

Hey everyone!

I’m a beginner in real estate investing and property management looking for any advice or words of wisdom from the community! I have a *very* small portfolio that I’m planning to grow over the next few years. Beginners or experts—I’m happy to connect with everybody!

[Melissa Justice]

@Gwen Gibson,

Welcome to the community! Starting small is how most of us begin, and it’s a great way to learn the ropes while minimizing risk. The fact that you’re already in the game puts you ahead of the majority who are still sitting on the sidelines. Whether you're managing your own units or working with a team, every deal is a learning opportunity that brings you closer to your long-term goals.

A few quick tips as you grow:
*Focus on cash flow over speculation in the early stages-steady income is what builds stability.
*Build a great team (property source provider or agent, lender, PM) early on-even if it’s just one market for now.
*Track your numbers religiously-good data will guide your next move better than gut feelings alone.
* Learn from others’ mistakes. Forums like this are goldmines for real-world lessons-ask questions, share your wins and losses, and you’ll grow faster than you expect.

Happy to connect and chat anytime whether it's about specific markets, running deal scenarios side by side, etc.

Best of luck,

Melissa