New & motivated to get started in Real Estate Investing
New to Real Estate · NJ · Member since 2025 · 8 posts · 7 votes
Hello everyone, my name is Elizabeth. I am a little late to enter the real estate investing world but motivated to start. I am a nurse by profession, currently living in south Jersey and originally from central New Jersey. Looking to move and purchase my first property within the next year by house hacking in north or central Jersey. I would like to start building my team now, and connect with a real estate agent and other professionals that will have my best interests as priority. I wish I had the courage to take this leap earlier in life, but am excited to begin this journey and learn as much as possible from all of the experts here.
Hello everyone, my name is Elizabeth. I am a little late to enter the real estate investing world but motivated to start. I am a nurse by profession, currently living in south Jersey and originally from central New Jersey. Looking to move and purchase my first property within the next year by house hacking in north or central Jersey. I would like to start building my team now, and connect with a real estate agent and other professionals that will have my best interests as priority. I wish I had the courage to take this leap earlier in life, but am excited to begin this journey and learn as much as possible from all of the experts here.
Hi @Elizabeth Hochhauser, welcome to the BP Forum! If you're now comfortable to start investing in real estate, then you're right on time!
What type of properties most interests you, SFR, 2-4 MF, or 5+ MF? What is your price range/down payment amount? Are you looking for turn-key properties or something along the lines of a "fixer upper"? Are you looking for properties in your local market or somewhere else?
Hi @Jaycee Greene,
Thank you for your reply! I am in the very beginning stages of everything. What I am sure of is, I would like to purchase in north / central Jersey, duplex. I understand it is difficult to find these for under 500 K, but I would feel comfortable not exceeding this. I am aiming to put at least 40 K down. I would love something turn key or as close to it as possible. P
@Elizabeth Hochhauser Are you wanting to house hack in the duplex?
yes !
@Elizabeth Hochhauser I was hoping you'd say that ;-) I apologize that I don't know where exactly northern and central NJ start/end, but how about something like this: 100 State Route 12, Raritan, NJ 08822?
only triplex that I could find in those areas in your budget is this one: 191 Mount Joy Rd, Pohatcong Township, NJ 08865.
Hello everyone, my name is Elizabeth. I am a little late to enter the real estate investing world but motivated to start. I am a nurse by profession, currently living in south Jersey and originally from central New Jersey. Looking to move and purchase my first property within the next year by house hacking in north or central Jersey. I would like to start building my team now, and connect with a real estate agent and other professionals that will have my best interests as priority. I wish I had the courage to take this leap earlier in life, but am excited to begin this journey and learn as much as possible from all of the experts here.
Hi @Elizabeth Hochhauser, welcome to the BP Forum! If you're now comfortable to start investing in real estate, then you're right on time!
What type of properties most interests you, SFR, 2-4 MF, or 5+ MF? What is your price range/down payment amount? Are you looking for turn-key properties or something along the lines of a "fixer upper"? Are you looking for properties in your local market or somewhere else?
Hello everyone, my name is Elizabeth. I am a little late to enter the real estate investing world but motivated to start. I am a nurse by profession, currently living in south Jersey and originally from central New Jersey. Looking to move and purchase my first property within the next year by house hacking in north or central Jersey. I would like to start building my team now, and connect with a real estate agent and other professionals that will have my best interests as priority. I wish I had the courage to take this leap earlier in life, but am excited to begin this journey and learn as much as possible from all of the experts here.
Hi @Elizabeth Hochhauser, welcome to the BP Forum! If you're now comfortable to start investing in real estate, then you're right on time!
What type of properties most interests you, SFR, 2-4 MF, or 5+ MF? What is your price range/down payment amount? Are you looking for turn-key properties or something along the lines of a "fixer upper"? Are you looking for properties in your local market or somewhere else?
Hi @Jaycee Greene,
Thank you for your reply! I am in the very beginning stages of everything. What I am sure of is, I would like to purchase in north / central Jersey, duplex. I understand it is difficult to find these for under 500 K, but I would feel comfortable not exceeding this. I am aiming to put at least 40 K down. I would love something turn key or as close to it as possible. P
Hello everyone, my name is Elizabeth. I am a little late to enter the real estate investing world but motivated to start. I am a nurse by profession, currently living in south Jersey and originally from central New Jersey. Looking to move and purchase my first property within the next year by house hacking in north or central Jersey. I would like to start building my team now, and connect with a real estate agent and other professionals that will have my best interests as priority. I wish I had the courage to take this leap earlier in life, but am excited to begin this journey and learn as much as possible from all of the experts here.
Hi @Elizabeth Hochhauser, welcome to the BP Forum! If you're now comfortable to start investing in real estate, then you're right on time!
What type of properties most interests you, SFR, 2-4 MF, or 5+ MF? What is your price range/down payment amount? Are you looking for turn-key properties or something along the lines of a "fixer upper"? Are you looking for properties in your local market or somewhere else?
Hi @Jaycee Greene,
Thank you for your reply! I am in the very beginning stages of everything. What I am sure of is, I would like to purchase in north / central Jersey, duplex. I understand it is difficult to find these for under 500 K, but I would feel comfortable not exceeding this. I am aiming to put at least 40 K down. I would love something turn key or as close to it as possible. P
@Elizabeth Hochhauser Are you wanting to house hack in the duplex?
Hello everyone, my name is Elizabeth. I am a little late to enter the real estate investing world but motivated to start. I am a nurse by profession, currently living in south Jersey and originally from central New Jersey. Looking to move and purchase my first property within the next year by house hacking in north or central Jersey. I would like to start building my team now, and connect with a real estate agent and other professionals that will have my best interests as priority. I wish I had the courage to take this leap earlier in life, but am excited to begin this journey and learn as much as possible from all of the experts here.
Hi @Elizabeth Hochhauser, welcome to the BP Forum! If you're now comfortable to start investing in real estate, then you're right on time!
What type of properties most interests you, SFR, 2-4 MF, or 5+ MF? What is your price range/down payment amount? Are you looking for turn-key properties or something along the lines of a "fixer upper"? Are you looking for properties in your local market or somewhere else?
Hi @Jaycee Greene,
Thank you for your reply! I am in the very beginning stages of everything. What I am sure of is, I would like to purchase in north / central Jersey, duplex. I understand it is difficult to find these for under 500 K, but I would feel comfortable not exceeding this. I am aiming to put at least 40 K down. I would love something turn key or as close to it as possible. P
@Elizabeth Hochhauser Are you wanting to house hack in the duplex?
yes !
Hello everyone, my name is Elizabeth. I am a little late to enter the real estate investing world but motivated to start. I am a nurse by profession, currently living in south Jersey and originally from central New Jersey. Looking to move and purchase my first property within the next year by house hacking in north or central Jersey. I would like to start building my team now, and connect with a real estate agent and other professionals that will have my best interests as priority. I wish I had the courage to take this leap earlier in life, but am excited to begin this journey and learn as much as possible from all of the experts here.
Hi @Elizabeth Hochhauser, welcome to the BP Forum! If you're now comfortable to start investing in real estate, then you're right on time!
What type of properties most interests you, SFR, 2-4 MF, or 5+ MF? What is your price range/down payment amount? Are you looking for turn-key properties or something along the lines of a "fixer upper"? Are you looking for properties in your local market or somewhere else?
Hi @Jaycee Greene,
Thank you for your reply! I am in the very beginning stages of everything. What I am sure of is, I would like to purchase in north / central Jersey, duplex. I understand it is difficult to find these for under 500 K, but I would feel comfortable not exceeding this. I am aiming to put at least 40 K down. I would love something turn key or as close to it as possible. P
@Elizabeth Hochhauser Are you wanting to house hack in the duplex?
yes !
@Elizabeth Hochhauser I was hoping you'd say that ;-) I apologize that I don't know where exactly northern and central NJ start/end, but how about something like this: 100 State Route 12, Raritan, NJ 08822?
Hello everyone, my name is Elizabeth. I am a little late to enter the real estate investing world but motivated to start. I am a nurse by profession, currently living in south Jersey and originally from central New Jersey. Looking to move and purchase my first property within the next year by house hacking in north or central Jersey. I would like to start building my team now, and connect with a real estate agent and other professionals that will have my best interests as priority. I wish I had the courage to take this leap earlier in life, but am excited to begin this journey and learn as much as possible from all of the experts here.
Hi @Elizabeth Hochhauser, welcome to the BP Forum! If you're now comfortable to start investing in real estate, then you're right on time!
What type of properties most interests you, SFR, 2-4 MF, or 5+ MF? What is your price range/down payment amount? Are you looking for turn-key properties or something along the lines of a "fixer upper"? Are you looking for properties in your local market or somewhere else?
Hi @Jaycee Greene,
Thank you for your reply! I am in the very beginning stages of everything. What I am sure of is, I would like to purchase in north / central Jersey, duplex. I understand it is difficult to find these for under 500 K, but I would feel comfortable not exceeding this. I am aiming to put at least 40 K down. I would love something turn key or as close to it as possible. P
@Elizabeth Hochhauser Are you wanting to house hack in the duplex?
yes !
@Elizabeth Hochhauser I was hoping you'd say that ;-) I apologize that I don't know where exactly northern and central NJ start/end, but how about something like this: 100 State Route 12, Raritan, NJ 08822?
Hello everyone, my name is Elizabeth. I am a little late to enter the real estate investing world but motivated to start. I am a nurse by profession, currently living in south Jersey and originally from central New Jersey. Looking to move and purchase my first property within the next year by house hacking in north or central Jersey. I would like to start building my team now, and connect with a real estate agent and other professionals that will have my best interests as priority. I wish I had the courage to take this leap earlier in life, but am excited to begin this journey and learn as much as possible from all of the experts here.
Hi @Elizabeth Hochhauser, welcome to the BP Forum! If you're now comfortable to start investing in real estate, then you're right on time!
What type of properties most interests you, SFR, 2-4 MF, or 5+ MF? What is your price range/down payment amount? Are you looking for turn-key properties or something along the lines of a "fixer upper"? Are you looking for properties in your local market or somewhere else?
Hi @Jaycee Greene,
Thank you for your reply! I am in the very beginning stages of everything. What I am sure of is, I would like to purchase in north / central Jersey, duplex. I understand it is difficult to find these for under 500 K, but I would feel comfortable not exceeding this. I am aiming to put at least 40 K down. I would love something turn key or as close to it as possible. P
@Elizabeth Hochhauser Are you wanting to house hack in the duplex?
yes !
@Elizabeth Hochhauser I was hoping you'd say that ;-) I apologize that I don't know where exactly northern and central NJ start/end, but how about something like this: 100 State Route 12, Raritan, NJ 08822?
only triplex that I could find in those areas in your budget is this one: 191 Mount Joy Rd, Pohatcong Township, NJ 08865.
Elizabeth, great move. Lock your house hack buy box now and build your core four early: an investor‑savvy agent, lender, PM, and contractor. In North/Central Jersey, verify rents with a PM before offering, stress‑test taxes, insurance, and HOA rules, and keep two exits in play: long‑term rent or sell if numbers shift. This week: write your buy box, analyze five listings in two target towns, and interview three agents to find one who sends videos, comps, and lender/PM intros. Small, consistent reps win.
Elizabeth, great move. Lock your house hack buy box now and build your core four early: an investor‑savvy agent, lender, PM, and contractor. In North/Central Jersey, verify rents with a PM before offering, stress‑test taxes, insurance, and HOA rules, and keep two exits in play: long‑term rent or sell if numbers shift. This week: write your buy box, analyze five listings in two target towns, and interview three agents to find one who sends videos, comps, and lender/PM intros. Small, consistent reps win.
Hi @Elealeh Fulmaran, thank you very much for your reply. I appreciate your insight and being tasked with some homework to provide me with direction!
House hacking is the right move and one of the easiest ways to get started. I would meet with an investory friendly agent, meet with a lender so you can lock down the zipcodes and areas you would be focusing on. From there, I would try to schedule as many showings as possible and get offers out as long as the numbers pencil out. Best of luck in your journey.
House hacking is the right move and one of the easiest ways to get started. I would meet with an investory friendly agent, meet with a lender so you can lock down the zipcodes and areas you would be focusing on. From there, I would try to schedule as many showings as possible and get offers out as long as the numbers pencil out. Best of luck in your journey.
Hi @Nadeem Alamgir, thank you for your reply and the advice is much appreciated ! I am currently beginning with researching investor friendly agents in my area !
House hacking is the right move and one of the easiest ways to get started. I would meet with an investory friendly agent, meet with a lender so you can lock down the zipcodes and areas you would be focusing on. From there, I would try to schedule as many showings as possible and get offers out as long as the numbers pencil out. Best of luck in your journey.
Hi @Nadeem Alamgir, thank you for your reply and the advice is much appreciated ! I am currently beginning with researching investor friendly agents in my area !
That's awesome! Best of luck in your journey.
As a serial house hacker, my advice for your first house hack is to simplify things. People try to overcomplicated / overanalyze / oversell the complexities of house hacking but it's pretty straightforward. You live in one unit, rent the others. Rent goes up, appreciation works in your favor, and you're living somewhere with a long term black friday discount.
As a serial house hacker, my advice for your first house hack is to simplify things. People try to overcomplicated / overanalyze / oversell the complexities of house hacking but it's pretty straightforward. You live in one unit, rent the others. Rent goes up, appreciation works in your favor, and you're living somewhere with a long term black friday discount.
Hi @Jake Handler thank you for your reply and the advice, much appreciated!
Welcome, Elizabeth! It’s never too late to start in real estate, and coming in with a clear plan like house hacking puts you on solid ground. Your background in nursing shows discipline and resilience, both huge assets in this space.
Starting to build your team now is a smart move. Focus on finding an investor-friendly agent who understands the numbers, and connect with lenders who can walk you through financing options tailored to house hacking.
Excited for your journey, don’t hesitate to reach out if you ever want to run through ideas.
Welcome, Elizabeth! It’s never too late to start in real estate, and coming in with a clear plan like house hacking puts you on solid ground. Your background in nursing shows discipline and resilience, both huge assets in this space.
Starting to build your team now is a smart move. Focus on finding an investor-friendly agent who understands the numbers, and connect with lenders who can walk you through financing options tailored to house hacking.
Excited for your journey, don’t hesitate to reach out if you ever want to run through ideas.
Hi Drago,
Thank you so much — that really means a lot! I’m definitely leaning into house hacking as my entry point, and it’s encouraging to hear that my nursing background can translate well into real estate.
I’m already starting to network and look for the right agent and lender, so your advice comes at the perfect time. Appreciate the guidance!
Any time, happy to help! Feel free to reach out if you need anything.
Hello Elizabeth,
Welcome to BiggerPockets! It’s great to see your motivation to get started. One thing I’ve noticed that helps new investors is building a solid team early — agents, lenders, and other professionals who understand your goals. Even starting small and learning from each step can really pay off when you’re ready to purchase your first property.
Wishing you the best on your house hacking journey — sounds like an exciting year ahead!
Hi there, @Elizabeth Hochhauser. Welcome!
Better late than never, hey?
Motivation is good, now to capture that and translate into action 😊
Sounds like you are well on your way to implementing the House Hacking strategy!
Working as a nurse, I assume you have a shift schedule of three-12s? How involved in real estate do you want to be?
Not knowing your life outside of work, that schedule allows you to dedicate yourself to real estate adventures, whether you desire to be very involved or a bit more hands off.
Good luck!