New investor wanting to grow portfolio
Member since 2025 · 4 posts · 9 votes
New investor wanting to grow portfolio
Most Popular Reply
Drew SygitBusiness Member
Property Manager · Royal Oak, MI · Member since 2012 · 12k+ posts · 9k+ votes@Chris Luckscheiter you're going to have to put time into networking as it will directly impact your exposure to potential deals.
Also, you should learn to network with your own personal network!
Read below:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Why does everyone want to chase strangers – and ignore their own personal network?
Which do you think will be more competitive, buying from wholesalers or your own referrals?
Per this NY Times article, the average American knows around 600 people.
https://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/19/science/the-average-american-knows-how-many-people.html#:~:text=The%20average%20American%20knows%20about,do%20you%20know%20named%20Kevin%3F
Per the US Census Bureau, the average American moves 11.7 time in their life, which based upon an approximate lifespan of 84 years, works out to be about every 7 years.
https://www.census.gov/topics/population/migration/guidance/calculating-migration-expectancy.html#:~:text=Using%202007%20ACS%20data%2C%20it,one%20move%20per%20single%20year
So, if the average American knows 600 people and they each move about every 7 years, that means that the average American knows around 85 people that move in any given year.
How many of those moves do you want to be involved in?
To maximize the number of transactions you’re involved in you will need to:
- Be Top of Mind when they think about moving - which requires consistent reminders.
- Be seen as an Expert – which requires a consistent message and Evidence of Success stories
- Gain their Trust – which requires communicating with integrity
So, start out by CONSISTENTLY posting what you are doing on whatever social media channels you currently use. Not on any? You better fix that! You may also want to figure out which channels your family & friends use the most and get on those if you’re not on them currently.
What should you post?
How excited you are about what you’re doing in real estate investing! Share stories about your successes AND challenges. Then, ask them for their help!
IMPORTANT: do NOT ask people for THEIR business, ask for referrals! Why? Because they will get defensive if they feel you are pressuring them. Remember, they can always refer themselves😊
Use one of the ideas below to trigger who they know that they could connect you with:
- Just inherited a home
- Had a loved one pass away
- Is behind on their mortgage or tax payments
- Has a relative that can’t take care of their house anymore
- Has a house they’re having trouble selling
- Is facing bankruptcy
- Knows a probate attorney
- Knows a bankruptcy attorney
- etc
Putting this in OVERDRIVE
Create a spreadsheet (Excel or Google Sheet) listing everyone you can think of that would recognize your name or face.
Why a spreadsheet? Because later, you can easily upload to a CRM like Constant Contact to create an email list!
Create columns for Name, email, cell and even Street Address, City, State, Zip and then contact info: Last Contact, Relationship, Status.
Then start calling these people. Divide the number of people on your list by 20 - and that’s how many you want to try to target daily.
Whether you get ahold of them or leave a vm, use 1-3 of the above triggers for referrals.
Why only 1-3 off the list per contact? Because on average, we can only remember three things at a time. If you try to go over the whole list, you’ll lose the attention of the average person and they won’t remember anything!
It should only take you about a month or two to contact everyone on your list and then the tough part – you start all over again.
Be sure to also ask what social media channels they are on and connect with them there.
Why the repetition? Because it takes repetition for people to remember things and you have to be top-of-mind when they encounter a potential client for you!
Have you ever been to McDonalds? Of course you have! So, why is McDonalds still spending billions on advertising?
One more tip – people remember stories that trigger their emotions. So, tell a story of how you (or a fellow wholesaler) helped a seller out with their challenge(s). Change your story each month as different stories will resonate with different people AND use each story to emphasize one of your “who do you know…” questions.
One last thing – we recommended you create a Status column on your spreadsheet, now we’ll explain why. If you find someone that seems to know a lot of people needing your services, wouldn’t it make sense to focus more resources on them? Conversely, you will run into people on your list that just seem to be a waste of time, so you’ll want to avoid them. So, create status codes for both of these and a few in-between codes to help you work smarter, not harder.
Logical Property Management4.9451 Reviews
18 Replies
- 1yNicholas L.Pro MemberFlipper/Rehabber · Pittsburgh · Member since 2018 · 6k+ posts · 5k+ votes
hello - are you networking in person with local investors? that is what i would do.
good luck
- Member since 2025 · 4 posts · 9 votes1y
Quote from @Nicholas L.:
hello - are you networking in person with local investors? that is what i would do.
good luck
Thanks for the reply. Yes, I am. I attend when able to local events. I do still have a full time job so trying to attend as much as I can. I also, am on local investors boards.
- Member since 2025 · 194 posts · 140 votes1y
Welcome to the group.
As you begin expanding your real estate portfolio, one of the smartest moves you can make is developing a solid, forward-thinking asset protection plan.
While real estate investing can be highly rewarding, it also comes with certain risks, such as lawsuits, liability claims, and unexpected creditor issues. Without proper safeguards, your assets could be left exposed. By putting the right legal and financial structures in place, you can help protect your personal wealth, minimize litigation risks, and limit creditor access. These protections often give you greater leverage in legal or financial negotiations, too.
To manage these challenges effectively, it’s crucial to build a reliable team of professionals. This typically includes a tax advisor with real estate expertise and an asset protection attorney who understands your specific goals and risk tolerance. The right guidance can help you structure your investments efficiently, saving time, stress, and money as your portfolio grows.
Smart investing isn’t just about acquiring the right properties, it’s also about safeguarding what you’ve built.
Good luck.
Disclaimer: This message is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, financial, or investment advice. No attorney-client, fiduciary, or advisory relationship is created by this communication. Always consult with qualified professionals familiar with your specific situation before making any decision
- 1yMackaylee BeachPro MemberReal Estate Agent · Kansas City, MO · Member since 2020 · 1k+ posts · 492 votes
This platform is undoubtedly an excellent opportunity for networking and forging new connections.
What aspects have you enjoyed the most in your real estate journey?
I'd be happy to connect if you are considering out of state investing, Kansas City is rapidly growing and the opportunities are endless!
- 1yMin ZhangBusiness MemberReal Estate Agent · Member since 2022 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
That’s awesome that you’ve already got a year under your belt, Chris! it’s usually the first year that feels the steepest. What helped me was focusing on building a small circle of trustworthy people first rather than trying to connect with everyone at once. It sounds like you’re already on the right track by looking to grow relationships with wholesalers, lenders, and other investors. Just curious, are you leaning more toward building a rental base first or are you aiming to flip sooner to build up capital? Happy to keep the conversation going!
- Member since 2025 · 4 posts · 9 votes1y
Quote from @Min Zhang:
That’s awesome that you’ve already got a year under your belt, Chris! it’s usually the first year that feels the steepest. What helped me was focusing on building a small circle of trustworthy people first rather than trying to connect with everyone at once. It sounds like you’re already on the right track by looking to grow relationships with wholesalers, lenders, and other investors. Just curious, are you leaning more toward building a rental base first or are you aiming to flip sooner to build up capital? Happy to keep the conversation going!
Thanks for your reply. I would like to build up capital first. I have a trustworthy GC so that part of the equation is checked. After I get capital, I’d like to build out my rental portfolio. The issue is I am a small so I feel the “deals” go to the “bigger” more established investors who have already scaled their business. I've given myself 4 years to scale out. I currently work a full time job so moving a little slower as time is an issue.
- Member since 2025 · 36 posts · 6 votes1y
Hey @Chris Luckscheiter,
If you are interested in expanding your portfolio into Philadelphia and the surrounding suburbs, let me know. I would love to connect and get you access to more inventory for you to start taking a look at!
Best, Sean
- 1yArman AhmedPro MemberReal Estate Agent · Columbus Cleveland Dayton, OH · Member since 2024 · 2k+ posts · 906 votes
Welcome, Chris! You’re right—the hardest part starting out is getting consistent deal flow. A lot of investors find success by building relationships with local wholesalers, agents, and even small landlords who are ready to offload properties. Networking (like you’re doing here) is one of the best ways to get ahead. Are you leaning more toward rentals for long-term cash flow or flips for quicker capital? That’ll help you decide which types of deals and connections to prioritize.
- Real Estate Consultant · Ann Arbor, MI · Member since 2022 · 461 posts · 250 votes1y
Hi Chris from Columbus, Ohio!
You are one year into your real estate investing journey and looking to connect with other professionals to grow your portfolio of income properties and fix and flip projects.
Congratulations on deciding to focus on real estate as a valuable asset class to have in your portfolio and benefit from the government giving you tax incentives to provide housing.
If you are looking to diversify your portfolio into Michigan, we can be of assistance and a resource. We have relationships across the state with top property managers for long-term and short-term rentals as well as off-market residential and commercial properties and investor friendly contractors to help you with those fix and flip projects. We also help people buy and sell boring, recession resistant businesses like laundromats.
To Your Success!
- Real Estate Agent · Columbus | Toledo · Member since 2019 · 607 posts · 768 votes1y
Quote from @Chris Luckscheiter:
I am 1 year into this real estate journey and am looking to connect with like minded investors, wholesalers, and lenders who can assist me in growing my portfolio of rentals and flipping houses. Since I am a small fish in this big pond of investing, it is a challenge to get access to deals. By joining this community, my hope is that I will be able to gain access to some deals that will allow me to achieve my real estate goals.
You're on the right track just by putting yourself out there. One of the best ways to level up fast is by showing up—go to local REI meetups, join FB groups, attend networking events, and actually talk to people. Deals flow through relationships, and people work with people they like. Once you build trust, you'll start seeing the same opportunities the bigger players are getting.
I’d also recommend building a simple system for quickly analyzing deals and raising capital at the same time. That way, when something pops up, you’re not scrambling—you already know your numbers and who you can call (family, friends, other investors) to fund it.
If you're in Columbus, definitely check out the Columbus REIA group. It's been a great resource for connecting with active investors and getting plugged into the local scene. Keep showing up and adding value—your deal flow will follow.
- 1yDrew SygitBusiness MemberProperty Manager · Royal Oak, MI · Member since 2012 · 12k+ posts · 9k+ votes
@Chris Luckscheiter you're going to have to put time into networking as it will directly impact your exposure to potential deals.
Also, you should learn to network with your own personal network!
Read below:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Why does everyone want to chase strangers – and ignore their own personal network?
Which do you think will be more competitive, buying from wholesalers or your own referrals?
Per this NY Times article, the average American knows around 600 people.
https://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/19/science/the-average-american-knows-how-many-people.html#:~:text=The%20average%20American%20knows%20about,do%20you%20know%20named%20Kevin%3FPer the US Census Bureau, the average American moves 11.7 time in their life, which based upon an approximate lifespan of 84 years, works out to be about every 7 years.
https://www.census.gov/topics/population/migration/guidance/calculating-migration-expectancy.html#:~:text=Using%202007%20ACS%20data%2C%20it,one%20move%20per%20single%20yearSo, if the average American knows 600 people and they each move about every 7 years, that means that the average American knows around 85 people that move in any given year.
How many of those moves do you want to be involved in?
To maximize the number of transactions you’re involved in you will need to:
- Be Top of Mind when they think about moving - which requires consistent reminders.
- Be seen as an Expert – which requires a consistent message and Evidence of Success stories
- Gain their Trust – which requires communicating with integrity
So, start out by CONSISTENTLY posting what you are doing on whatever social media channels you currently use. Not on any? You better fix that! You may also want to figure out which channels your family & friends use the most and get on those if you’re not on them currently.
What should you post?
How excited you are about what you’re doing in real estate investing! Share stories about your successes AND challenges. Then, ask them for their help!
IMPORTANT: do NOT ask people for THEIR business, ask for referrals! Why? Because they will get defensive if they feel you are pressuring them. Remember, they can always refer themselves😊
Use one of the ideas below to trigger who they know that they could connect you with:
- Just inherited a home
- Had a loved one pass away
- Is behind on their mortgage or tax payments
- Has a relative that can’t take care of their house anymore
- Has a house they’re having trouble selling
- Is facing bankruptcy
- Knows a probate attorney
- Knows a bankruptcy attorney
- etc
Putting this in OVERDRIVE
Create a spreadsheet (Excel or Google Sheet) listing everyone you can think of that would recognize your name or face.
Why a spreadsheet? Because later, you can easily upload to a CRM like Constant Contact to create an email list!
Create columns for Name, email, cell and even Street Address, City, State, Zip and then contact info: Last Contact, Relationship, Status.
Then start calling these people. Divide the number of people on your list by 20 - and that’s how many you want to try to target daily.
Whether you get ahold of them or leave a vm, use 1-3 of the above triggers for referrals.
Why only 1-3 off the list per contact? Because on average, we can only remember three things at a time. If you try to go over the whole list, you’ll lose the attention of the average person and they won’t remember anything!
It should only take you about a month or two to contact everyone on your list and then the tough part – you start all over again.
Be sure to also ask what social media channels they are on and connect with them there.
Why the repetition? Because it takes repetition for people to remember things and you have to be top-of-mind when they encounter a potential client for you!
Have you ever been to McDonalds? Of course you have! So, why is McDonalds still spending billions on advertising?
One more tip – people remember stories that trigger their emotions. So, tell a story of how you (or a fellow wholesaler) helped a seller out with their challenge(s). Change your story each month as different stories will resonate with different people AND use each story to emphasize one of your “who do you know…” questions.
One last thing – we recommended you create a Status column on your spreadsheet, now we’ll explain why. If you find someone that seems to know a lot of people needing your services, wouldn’t it make sense to focus more resources on them? Conversely, you will run into people on your list that just seem to be a waste of time, so you’ll want to avoid them. So, create status codes for both of these and a few in-between codes to help you work smarter, not harder.
Logical Property Management4.9451 Reviews - 1yRemington LymanBusiness MemberReal Estate Agent · Columbus, OH · Member since 2017 · 6k+ posts · 7k+ votes
Quote from @Chris Luckscheiter:
I am 1 year into this real estate journey and am looking to connect with like minded investors, wholesalers, and lenders who can assist me in growing my portfolio of rentals and flipping houses. Since I am a small fish in this big pond of investing, it is a challenge to get access to deals. By joining this community, my hope is that I will be able to gain access to some deals that will allow me to achieve my real estate goals.
Welcome to BP! Are you local?
- 1ySamuel DioufBusiness MemberReal Estate Agent · Columbus & Cleveland, OH · Member since 2023 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
Welcome to BP, Chris!
Columbus, OH is a great market to invest in!
I'd be happy to send you a graded map of the area and a share list of useful contacts.
Reafco - Samuel Diouf528 Reviews - 1yAlfath AhmedBusiness MemberReal Estate Agent · Columbus, OH · Member since 2022 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
Quote from @Chris Luckscheiter:
I am 1 year into this real estate journey and am looking to connect with like minded investors, wholesalers, and lenders who can assist me in growing my portfolio of rentals and flipping houses. Since I am a small fish in this big pond of investing, it is a challenge to get access to deals. By joining this community, my hope is that I will be able to gain access to some deals that will allow me to achieve my real estate goals.
Awesome man. Lot of big players in columbus. Find a good investor agent that can guide you with the resources, deal flow, and connections that can make your investing easy.
ReafCo | Ahmed Group 55 Reviews - Residential Real Estate Investor · Kansas City, MO · Member since 2014 · 10k+ posts · 5k+ votes1y
Welcome aboard Chris!
- 1yJimmy LieuBusiness MemberReal Estate Agent · Columbus, OH · Member since 2019 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
Quote from @Chris Luckscheiter:
I am 1 year into this real estate journey and am looking to connect with like minded investors, wholesalers, and lenders who can assist me in growing my portfolio of rentals and flipping houses. Since I am a small fish in this big pond of investing, it is a challenge to get access to deals. By joining this community, my hope is that I will be able to gain access to some deals that will allow me to achieve my real estate goals.
You're definitely on the right platform, Chris! Love that you’re jumping in and looking to connect with others—it’s honestly one of the fastest ways to start seeing deal flow and building momentum. Access to deals is always the toughest part starting out, but being active here and networking with wholesalers, lenders, and agents will definitely help. Something to think about as you’re looking is targeting markets where the numbers still make sense and you can build a team to help you scale. Columbus, Ohio has been a really strong market for both rentals and flips—I moved here from Portland back in 2020 to invest and now own 10+ rentals. The macro picture here is on fire: population growth, job growth, and huge developments like the $26B Intel plant plus Amazon, Google, Facebook, Honda, Microsoft, LG, Nationwide, and more moving in. The price points are still affordable with deals in the $120–180K range that can hit the 1% rule and cash flow from day one, and it’s very landlord-friendly. Whether you’re going the rental or flip route, Columbus has been a great spot for out-of-state investors who want cash flow plus appreciation upside. Happy to connect and answer any questions you have!
Jimmy Lieu, Red 1 Realty4.9120 Reviews - 1yJoseph TadresPro MemberReal Estate Agent · Columbus, OH · Member since 2025 · 184 posts · 179 votes
I’d recommend making your buy box super clear and building strong relationships with wholesalers and agents who work with investors. From my experience, once you show you can actually close on a deal, even a smaller one, people start bringing you more opportunities. Keep networking and staying consistent, and the deals will come.
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