Hi new here! Looking to learn more on real estate investing 👋😄

Member since 2025 · 5 posts · 6 votes

Hi, I'm new here. Looking to learn more on real estate investing. If anyone has great tips on how to find good deals, what to pay attention to during purchase etc., would love to hear from you!

4 Reply

80 views

Most Popular Reply

Drago Stanimirovic

New to Real Estate · Miami, FL · Member since 2024 · 1k+ posts · 478 votes

Welcome, Phoenix! Great to have you here. Start by learning how to analyze deals, focus on cash flow, local rent trends, and vacancy rates. A solid deal usually comes from knowing your market better than most, so track listings, talk to agents, and study recently sold comps. During purchase, pay close attention to inspection reports, repair estimates, and your financing terms. The more deals you evaluate, the sharper your eye will get.

Drago

1 Reply

See this reply in the discussion

10 Replies

Jump to latestLatest

Sort by

Drago Stanimirovic
New to Real Estate · Miami, FL · Member since 2024 · 1k+ posts · 478 votes
1y
Welcome, Phoenix! Great to have you here. Start by learning how to analyze deals, focus on cash flow, local rent trends, and vacancy rates. A solid deal usually comes from knowing your market better than most, so track listings, talk to agents, and study recently sold comps. During purchase, pay close attention to inspection reports, repair estimates, and your financing terms. The more deals you evaluate, the sharper your eye will get.

Drago
1 Reply
- Phoenix Mao
  OP
  Member since 2025 · 5 posts · 6 votes
  1y
  Quote from @Drago Stanimirovic:
  
  Welcome, Phoenix! Great to have you here. Start by learning how to analyze deals, focus on cash flow, local rent trends, and vacancy rates. A solid deal usually comes from knowing your market better than most, so track listings, talk to agents, and study recently sold comps. During purchase, pay close attention to inspection reports, repair estimates, and your financing terms. The more deals you evaluate, the sharper your eye will get.
  
  Drago
  
  Thanks for the tips, Drago! Appreciate you! 😊
  1 Reply
Melissa JusticeBusiness Member
Rental Property Investor · Phoenix, AZ · Member since 2024 · 519 posts · 1k+ votes
1y
@Phoenix Mao,
Welcome! Great to have you here - getting started is often the hardest (and most exciting) part.

Here are some beginner-friendly tips to help you find good deals and know what to watch for during a purchase:

How to Find Good Deals --
Work with investor-friendly agents or a turnkey provider company in cash-flowing markets (many off-market deals come from relationships).
Target secondary and tertiary markets like Akron & Canton, OH, Ocala, FL, or San Antonio, TX - lower prices, solid rents.

Use deal-finding tools like:
Realtor.com with filters for multi-family or SFR
Propstream or BatchLeads for distressed or pre-foreclosure lists
Join local Facebook groups & BiggerPockets forums for wholesalers and pocket listings
Make lots of offers – the more you analyze and submit, the faster you learn what a “deal” looks like.

What to Pay Attention to During a Purchase
Buy based on numbers, not emotion:
Aim for cash-on-cash return of minimum 2%-3% in most cases

Inspect EVERYTHING:
Foundation, roof, plumbing, electrical, HVAC - unexpected repairs kill cash flow.

Know the neighborhood:
Check crime data, school ratings, and rent comps.
Is it landlord-friendly (check state/local laws)?
Line up a strong team:
Property manager, lender, etc

If you want a few sample markets or deal breakdowns to study, I’m happy to share them. Keep going - the first step is learning and asking questions just like this. You're on the right path!
Best of luck!
[email protected]313-221-8718
0 Reply
- Phoenix Mao
  OP
  Member since 2025 · 5 posts · 6 votes
  1y
  Quote from @Melissa Justice:
  
  @Phoenix Mao,
  Welcome! Great to have you here - getting started is often the hardest (and most exciting) part.
  
  Here are some beginner-friendly tips to help you find good deals and know what to watch for during a purchase:
  
  How to Find Good Deals --
  Work with investor-friendly agents or a turnkey provider company in cash-flowing markets (many off-market deals come from relationships).
  Target secondary and tertiary markets like Akron & Canton, OH, Ocala, FL, or San Antonio, TX - lower prices, solid rents.
  
  Use deal-finding tools like:
  Realtor.com with filters for multi-family or SFR
  Propstream or BatchLeads for distressed or pre-foreclosure lists
  Join local Facebook groups & BiggerPockets forums for wholesalers and pocket listings
  Make lots of offers – the more you analyze and submit, the faster you learn what a “deal” looks like.
  
  What to Pay Attention to During a Purchase
  Buy based on numbers, not emotion:
  Aim for cash-on-cash return of minimum 2%-3% in most cases
  
  Inspect EVERYTHING:
  Foundation, roof, plumbing, electrical, HVAC - unexpected repairs kill cash flow.
  
  Know the neighborhood:
  Check crime data, school ratings, and rent comps.
  Is it landlord-friendly (check state/local laws)?
  Line up a strong team:
  Property manager, lender, etc
  
  If you want a few sample markets or deal breakdowns to study, I’m happy to share them. Keep going - the first step is learning and asking questions just like this. You're on the right path!
  Best of luck!
  
  Thanks, Melissa! You are so helpful!! ❤️🎯
  1 Reply
Sean GrahamBusiness Member
Investor , CPA · Detroit, MI · Member since 2016 · 587 posts · 249 votes
1y
Welcome Phoenix! Bigest tip for finding good deals is to analyze a lot of them so you build a baseline for what's "normal" in your market. That way, when something stands out (better cash flow, higher ROI, motivated seller), you'll spot it right away. During purchase, pay close attention to the big-ticket itemslike roof, foundation, plumbing, electrical since those can eat into your profits fast.
Maven Cost Segregation Tax Advisors553 Reviews
Website View Page
0 Reply
Terrance HillPro Member
Realtor · Memphis, TN · Member since 2010 · 425 posts · 117 votes
1y
Hey Phoenix! Welcome to BiggerPockets. The best tip I can share for finding deals is to start building relationships — local agents, wholesalers, and other investors can point you toward opportunities you won't find online. When analyzing purchases, focus on numbers first: cash flow, repairs needed, ARV, and local market trends.

Curious — are you looking more at rentals, flips, or just exploring all options right now? Would love to connect and swap ideas as you get started!
0 Reply
Micah White
Real Estate Coach · Chicago, IL · Member since 2020 · 171 posts · 64 votes
1y
Welcome! You’re asking all the right questions — deal-finding and knowing what to focus on during a purchase really make a difference for new investors.

One thing I’ve noticed with beginners is that having a system for quickly evaluating deals and knowing where to spend your time is what separates those who move fast from those who get stuck. I’ve worked with a few new investors helping them figure out that system, and it’s amazing how much confidence it gives when analyzing properties.

Happy to share more tips or my approach if you want — it’s always easier when someone has gone through it before.
0 Reply
Kerlous TadresBusiness Member
Realtor · Columbus, OH · Member since 2023 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
1y
From my experience, the best deals usually start with solid local knowledge and a good team. I’d recommend building relationships with investor-friendly agents, property managers, and contractors, they often know about opportunities before they hit the market. When you’re buying, focus on a few key numbers: what the property can realistically rent for, what repairs or updates will cost, and what financing terms you can lock in. Run the math so you’re clear on cash flow after expenses, not just the purchase price.

I’d also suggest checking rental demand in the neighborhood talk to local property managers, look at vacancy rates, and drive the area at different times of day. A property in a strong rental pocket with room for small value-adds (like adding laundry or updating kitchens) can outperform something cheaper in a weak area.

[email protected]614-490-1163
Kerlous Tadres | Reafco Real Estate542 Reviews
Website View Page
0 Reply
William ThompsonBusiness Member
Accountant · Williamstown, NJ · Member since 2025 · 341 posts · 182 votes
1y
Quote from @Phoenix Mao:

Hi, I'm new here. Looking to learn more on real estate investing. If anyone has great tips on how to find good deals, what to pay attention to during purchase etc., would love to hear from you!

Welcome! Biggest tip I can give: always run the numbers beyond just the purchase price. Cash flow after financing, reserves, and taxes is what really matters. A deal that looks good on paper can turn into a headache if you don’t factor those in. Start simple, stay consistent, and the good deals will stand out faster than you think.
[email protected]609-820-0891
RE Accounting and Tax Professionals LLC521 Reviews
Website View Page
0 Reply
Phoenix Mao
OP
Member since 2025 · 5 posts · 6 votes
1y
Appreciate your tips, William! 🙏
0 Reply

Join the conversationCreate a free account to reply, vote on answers and follow this thread.