New To RE Investing - Looking to learn anything I can!

[Malcolm Doster, Jr.]

Hi all,

I hope this message finds you well. My name is Malcolm, I'm a recent college grad turned full time engineer. At 22 years old, I'm uniquely positioned as a high income earner with very few monthly expenses. I'm a long time investor into low-cost index funds and ETFs, actively looking to get a head start on wealth building. I'm entirely new to the real estate investing space, and honestly a bit overwhelmed from the amount of information out there. However, I'm ambitious and laser focused on building my future with a strong work ethic. I'm always open ears and eager to learn from more experienced investors who'd be willing to share any insights or impart any wisdom from their past experiences.

Best regards,

Malcolm 
 

[Bernice Retzloff]

Hey @Malcolm Doster, Jr.! You’re in a fantastic position. At 22 with a strong income, low expenses, and already investing in index funds, you’ve built the right foundation. Don’t abandon that! Keep maxing your retirement accounts and letting compounding do its thing. Real estate should be an addition to your strategy, not a replacement.

To avoid overwhelm, keep your first move simple. You don't need to master every strategy right now. Focus on understanding how to analyze a rental properly. Cash flow, CapEx, vacancy, management, and conservative underwriting. If you can confidently evaluate a deal, you're already ahead of most beginners.

If you’re open to out-of-state investing, Memphis is a market worth considering. It offers strong rent-to-price ratios, landlord-friendly laws, and steady rental demand. Many newer investors start there because the entry prices are still relatively approachable compared to coastal markets, while cash flow is realistic if you buy right.

I’m a real estate agent based in Memphis and work closely with out-of-state investors building long-term rental portfolios here. If you ever want to see what deals look like in this market or walk through real numbers, I’d be happy to share insights and help however I can.

You’ve got time, discipline, and income on your side. That’s a powerful combination. The key now is taking a thoughtful first step rather than trying to perfect everything upfront.