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Drew SygitBusiness Member
Property Manager · Royal Oak, MI · Member since 2012 · 13k+ posts · 9k+ votes
9mo
Quote from @Juan Guillen:

Looking for any advice and or strategies on where to begin. Thanks! 


 How many "deals" have you analyzed?

You don't have to buy them, just start analyzing so you learn. You can even watch what properties eventually sell for and recheck your math.

HINT: you should work "backwards" from the projected market rent to determine potential offer price.

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  • Jay TolugantiPro Member
    Investor · Clearwater, FL · Member since 2025 · 228 posts · 80 votes
    9mo
    I would start by reading or listening to below books: Strategy: Rich man in Babylon Robert Kiosaki - Rich Dad Poor Dad - Cashflow Quadrant - Guide to investing - Real book of Real Estate Real Estate Journey: Ken McKelroy - ABCs of Real Estate Investing - Advanced book of Real Estate Investing - ABC of Property management
    0Reply
  • Juan Guillen
    OP
    Investor · Indianapolis, IN · Member since 2026 · 4 posts · 4 votes
    9mo

    Thank you! I have listened to Rich Dad Poor Dad three times now. I had a few rental property books by Brandon Turner, and currently I am on my second round listen of If You Can't Wholesale After this- Todd M. Fleming. Understanding more and more, but where I get stuck is not having that face to face value of learning from someone. I am a hands on learner, always have been. But I'll get there. Thank you for your recommendations! 

    1Reply
  • Drew SygitBusiness Member
    Property Manager · Royal Oak, MI · Member since 2012 · 13k+ posts · 9k+ votes
    9mo
    Quote from @Juan Guillen:

    Looking for any advice and or strategies on where to begin. Thanks! 


     How many "deals" have you analyzed?

    You don't have to buy them, just start analyzing so you learn. You can even watch what properties eventually sell for and recheck your math.

    HINT: you should work "backwards" from the projected market rent to determine potential offer price.

    [email protected]248-209-6824
    Logical Property Management4.9465 Reviews
    WebsiteView Page
    2Reply
    • Juan Guillen
      OP
      Investor · Indianapolis, IN · Member since 2026 · 4 posts · 4 votes
      9mo

      @Drew Sygit zero deals analyzed. I've just started with audio books and taking notes. That is the next step. I'm always on Zillow just looking, but I'm not sure what to look for yet. Thank you for the tip! 

      0Reply
  • Terrance HillPro Member
    Realtor · Memphis, TN · Member since 2010 · 425 posts · 117 votes
    9mo

    Welcome, Juan! Indianapolis is a solid market to get started in. Best advice early on: pick one strategy (house hack, BRRRR, or small multifamily), learn how to analyze deals really well, and start building your local network—agents, lenders, and other investors. Don't rush the first deal; focus on buying right. Happy to connect and trade notes as you get going.

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    • Juan Guillen
      OP
      Investor · Indianapolis, IN · Member since 2026 · 4 posts · 4 votes
      9mo

      @Terrance Hill greatly appreciate the feedback! I'm wrapping up "If You Can't Wholesale After This" and would love to get more assistance when analyzing deals. I feel like that is where most of my confusion and concerns will be. Thank you again! 

      0Reply
  • Aaron ZimmermanBusiness Member
    Accountant · Chicago, IL · Member since 2018 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    9mo
    What strategies interest you? To me, house hacking is a great strategy if your situation allows you to. You’re ideally reducing your housing expense and building equity. It’s also one of the lowest risk ways to get into the market in my opinion.
    [email protected]
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  • Min ZhangBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Member since 2022 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    9mo

    Hey Juan, my advice is to narrow down your target markets and talk with your lender about how much you can get pre-approved for. If possible, go for a house hack, or consider a turnkey property for your first deal. Also, make sure you don’t drain your bank account. Always keep reserves for unexpected repairs and expenses after closing. Hope this helps!

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  • Kerry Noble JrPro Member
    Investor · Indianapolis, IN · Member since 2018 · 3k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    9mo

    Welcome!!

    0Reply
  • Izaiah Barba
    Wholesaler · Portsmouth NH · Member since 2019 · 230 posts · 99 votes
    9mo

    Hey Juan! Welcome in. Great to see you getting started.

    Here's where I'd recommend starting:

    Wholesaling is the best entry point if you don't have a ton of capital. You're not buying properties, just connecting sellers with buyers and getting paid for it. That's how I started!

    Pull data from PropStream or Propwire (free option) and start reaching out to motivated sellers - high equity, absentee owners, pre-foreclosure. Text and call them. We use Launch Control for texting and BatchDialer for calling.

    You can also do driving for dollars in Indianapolis. Find distressed properties, skip trace the owners, and reach out directly. Low cost and highly effective.

    Build relationships with 5-10 cash buyers in your market so when you lock up a deal, you know exactly who to bring it to.

    0Reply
  • Ebonie Beaco
    Lender · Chicago, IL · Member since 2025 · 204 posts · 101 votes
    9mo

    Welcome to real estate investing — and you’re smart to ask this question before jumping in. After more than 25 years as a mortgage loan officer and real estate investor, I can tell you the investors who succeed long-term are the ones who start with education and a clear plan, not just excitement.

    The first place to begin is understanding your financial position and how financing works. Know your credit profile, your available funds, and what your true buying power looks like. Too many new investors look at properties before they understand what they can realistically qualify for or comfortably afford.

    From there, focus on learning how to analyze deals. You should be able to look at a property and understand cash flow, expenses, reserves, and realistic returns. Numbers matter more than emotions in this business.

    I also always recommend:

    • Getting clear on your strategy (buy and hold, house hacking, fix and flip, short-term rentals, etc.)

    • Studying your local market and rental demand

    • Building a solid team — lender, agent, insurance, and contractor

    • Keeping reserves so one surprise repair doesn’t derail your plans

    For many first-time investors, house hacking or starting with a small multi-unit is a practical way to enter the market while minimizing risk and lowering living expenses.

    Real estate is a long-term wealth-building tool when approached correctly. Treat it like a business, stay patient, and make decisions based on data, not hype.

    If you’re comfortable sharing, are you starting with capital saved, or are you still in the planning and savings phase? That can help guide your next steps.

    1Reply
  • Benjamin AakerPro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Brandon, SD · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    9mo
    Welcome Juan,
    Start learning about the various types of real estate and choose your niche. Reading and listening to podcasts is a great place to start. Start saving money now. 
    0Reply
  • Pierre Guirguis
    Lender · Marlboro, NJ · Member since 2025 · 243 posts · 150 votes
    9mo

    Welcome in. The biggest mistake I see early is trying to pick a strategy before understanding the numbers.

    I’d start by doing three things:

    • Pick one market you actually understand and learn rents, taxes, and insurance cold
    • Underwrite a lot of deals, even ones you won’t buy, until the math feels obvious
    • Be conservative on assumptions so your first deal teaches you confidence, not stress

    Strategy comes later. Getting comfortable with deal math and execution risk is what makes everything else easier.

    0Reply
  • Brian ValdiviaBusiness Member
    Investor · Kingsville, MD · Member since 2017 · 102 posts · 20 votes
    9mo
    Quote from @Juan Guillen:

    Looking for any advice and or strategies on where to begin. Thanks! 


     Hey Juan!  

    I am hosting a free networking event at Upland brewing on Wednesday the 11th.  Would love to meet you there.  I personally own just over 202 rentals, and would be happy to talk shop and see if there is anything I can do to help you get off the sidelines and get rolling!

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  • Jennifer StevensonPro Member
    Realtor · Millsboro, DE · Member since 2018 · 30 posts · 14 votes
    9mo

    Welcome, 

    You mentioned being a hands-on learner.  While I can't help with an in-person mentor what I can suggest is actually touring properties and analyzing them.  Prior to buying my first rental I found it really helpful that I had already looked at a number of properties.  It allowed me to quickly recognize a potential deal and act accordingly. 

    If you opt to look at properties that are on the MLS be up front with your agent about what your goals are. Having an agent that's investor friendly or ideally, an investor themselves will lead to better results and save both of you a lot of frustration.

       

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  • Bo SmithPro Member
    Hinton, WV · Member since 2026 · 1k+ posts · 378 votes
    9mo

    Welcome to the game! One thing I wish someone told me early: focus on building your buyer's list BEFORE you find deals. Way easier to close when you already know who wants what you're finding. Are you planning to wholesale, flip, or hold for rentals?

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  • Jeff Roth
    Real Estate Consultant · Ann Arbor, MI · Member since 2022 · 477 posts · 266 votes
    9mo

    Hi Juan from Indianapolis, In-

    Great question! You are just starting out and looking for advice and strategies on where to begin.

    Step 1-Give yourself 6 months to 1 year to study your options, the terminology, and fundamentals. Move into action by the end of the year.

    Step 2-Pick your strategy and build your local team. You may decide to house hack and buy a small multifamily and live in one of the units and finance it with low money down as a primary residence renting out the other units. Then, after a year or so, refinance some money out, and buy the next one the same way. Methodically stacking. Key members of your local team are an investor friendly Realtor, investor friendly lender, property inspectors, experienced local property managers, local contractors, insurance, and asset protection attorney.

    Step 3-Build your portfolio and focus on optimizing operations and minimizing taxes.

    We help investors do just that in Michigan.

    To Your Success!

    0Reply
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