New to Real Estate Investing

Fort Lauderdale, Florida
New Member Introductions
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New to Real Estate Investing

Christelle Celestin
Hinton, WV · Member since 2026 · 2 posts · 8 votes

Hi everyone,

My name is Christelle, and I’m new to real estate investing. I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself, connect with others in the community, and hopefully build relationships with mentors and fellow RE investors.

The markets I’m most interested in are Florida, Massachusetts, and Georgia. I recently completed the Mortgage Loan Originator (MLO) course and plan to take the exam in July. My goal is to purchase my first rental property in Florida around March 2027.

Right now, I’m still figuring out where to start, so any pointers or advice would be greatly appreciated. My plan is to learn as much as possible through this platform, mentorship, internships, and volunteering opportunities.

I’m based in the Fort Lauderdale area, so if you’re open to mentoring, know of any internship/volunteering opportunities, or just want to connect, please feel free to reach out. If anyone is interested in meeting up, coffee or tea is on me!

Looking forward to getting to know everyone better.

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Allie McAlister
Memphis, TN · Member since 2024 · 180 posts · 223 votes
5mo

Hi @Christelle Celestin

Welcome to Bigger Pockets! You are in the right place to connect with other investors, new and experienced, and to get advice from professionals that can help you get started! 

I've heard about the STR market being good in Florida, but if you are looking for long term rentals, Iw oddly definitely take a look into Memphis as a market. My team lead Dean Harris, and Broker Douglas Skipworth do a yearly zip code breakdown podcast episode that would be a good place to start if you want an insight into the different areas.

I'm always happy to jump on a quick call to give you more info. 

Best of luck!

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  • Arman AhmedPro Member
    Real Estate Agent · Columbus Cleveland Dayton, OH · Member since 2024 · 2k+ posts · 966 votes
    5mo
    Quote from @Christelle Celestin:

    Hi everyone,

    My name is Christelle, and I’m new to real estate investing. I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself, connect with others in the community, and hopefully build relationships with mentors and fellow RE investors.

    The markets I’m most interested in are Florida, Massachusetts, and Georgia. I recently completed the Mortgage Loan Originator (MLO) course and plan to take the exam in July. My goal is to purchase my first rental property in Florida around March 2027.

    Right now, I’m still figuring out where to start, so any pointers or advice would be greatly appreciated. My plan is to learn as much as possible through this platform, mentorship, internships, and volunteering opportunities.

    I’m based in the Fort Lauderdale area, so if you’re open to mentoring, know of any internship/volunteering opportunities, or just want to connect, please feel free to reach out. If anyone is interested in meeting up, coffee or tea is on me!

    Looking forward to getting to know everyone better.


    You’re actually starting in a strong position since getting your MLO license will give you a real edge when it comes to underwriting and understanding deals early.

    As you build toward your first rental, the biggest thing is less about the "perfect" market and more about getting reps in deal analysis and surrounding yourself with people actually doing the work (agents, lenders, PMs, contractors). Florida, Georgia, and MA can all work, but a lot of new investors also compare those coastal markets with the Midwest market, where entry prices are lower, and cash flow is usually easier to find on small multifamily and SFH rentals.

    If your goal is a 2027 purchase, you’ve got plenty of time to build a system, learn how to underwrite properly, and start reviewing real deals now so you’re ready when the right one shows up.

    [email protected]614-418-6081
    1Reply
  • Christelle Celestin
    OP
    Hinton, WV · Member since 2026 · 2 posts · 8 votes
    5mo

    Thank you Arman for your insight. Honestly, I wasn't even thinking about other markets since those three states are where I have trusted family members. Now I have more to consider, very helpful.

    0Reply
  • Allie McAlister
    Memphis, TN · Member since 2024 · 180 posts · 223 votes
    5mo

    Hi @Christelle Celestin

    Welcome to Bigger Pockets! You are in the right place to connect with other investors, new and experienced, and to get advice from professionals that can help you get started! 

    I've heard about the STR market being good in Florida, but if you are looking for long term rentals, Iw oddly definitely take a look into Memphis as a market. My team lead Dean Harris, and Broker Douglas Skipworth do a yearly zip code breakdown podcast episode that would be a good place to start if you want an insight into the different areas.

    I'm always happy to jump on a quick call to give you more info. 

    Best of luck!

    1Reply
  • David Amir
    fort lauderdale FL · Member since 2026 · 27 posts · 10 votes
    5mo

    “welcome to biggerpockets Christelle. I’m a project manager in South Florida working on renovation projects for investors, mainly value-add and fix/flip deals, so I see a lot of how first-time deals actually play out once construction starts.

    Since you’re planning to buy in Florida, one of the biggest things I’d focus on early isn’t just finding a property or getting financing—it’s learning how rehab budgets and timelines actually behave in real life. That’s usually where first deals drift. Even small misses on scope, permits, or holding time can turn a ‘good deal’ into a break-even or worse situation.

    If I were starting from scratch again, I’d spend time getting really comfortable with three things before buying anything:

    0Reply
  • Kim Gray
    Member since 2026 · 77 posts · 26 votes
    5mo

    Christelle welcome and what a strong foundation you are already building. Completing your MLO course before your first investment property is genuinely smart — most investors learn the hard way what you already know walking in.

    A few thoughts worth adding:

    Your March 2027 target gives you real runway. Use it to learn two or three Florida markets deeply — not just the headlines but the neighborhoods, rental demand drivers, and seasonal patterns. Florida is diverse and what works in Orlando performs very differently than the Gulf Coast or Jacksonville.

    Your MLO background gives you an edge most investors never develop. You already know how to stress test financing scenarios and read underwriting. Apply that discipline to every deal you analyze before you fall in love with a property. Numbers first. Emotion second.

    Fort Lauderdale has strong rental demand across multiple categories — long term, short term, and mid term all work there depending on the neighborhood. Find your local REIA group now and start building relationships before you need them. The mentors and deal flow you are looking for are already in that room.

    Florida landlord here — feel free to reach out anytime. You are going to do great things Christelle!

    0Reply
  • Dmitriy Fomichenko
    Solo 401k Expert · Anaheim Hills, CA · Member since 2012 · 18k+ posts · 6k+ votes
    5mo

    Welcome to the BP community, Christelle! It is a great place to meet new friends and learn about various aspects of real estate and more.

    Read Beginner’s Guide to help you get started: http://www.biggerpockets.com/real-estate-investing

    Good luck on your journey!

    0Reply
  • Kamil Lysik
    Property Manager · Warsaw · Member since 2026 · 107 posts · 38 votes
    5mo

    Welcome Christelle! You’re already taking smart steps by focusing on education, networking, and getting your MLO license first. That knowledge alone will give you a much stronger understanding of financing than most beginners have.

    Florida can definitely be a solid market, but I’d recommend focusing early on learning deal analysis and how to identify bad deals quickly — that’s one of the biggest skills for new investors.

    Wishing you success on your journey!

    0Reply
  • Basit SiddiqiBusiness Member
    Accountant · New York, NY · Member since 2015 · 8k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    4mo

    Fl, MA and GA are huge areas.

    You should tighten your search areas to neighbhorhoods.

    I would focus on an area where you have a competitive advantage in - An area that you know well. I would think back of areas where you live, grew up, went to college or vacation often.

    Best of luck!

    [email protected]917-280-8544
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  • Steven GlickBusiness Member
    Lender · Buffalo · Member since 2024 · 115 posts · 33 votes
    4mo

    Welcome, Christelle. Getting your MLO license before buying your first rental is a real advantage, you'll understand financing and underwriting better than most first-time investors. With your timeline, I'd focus on analyzing as many deals as possible over the next year. The market matters, but being able to quickly spot a good deal is what will give you the most confidence when you're ready to buy in 2027.

    [email protected]315-631-0678
    Ziffy Mortgage
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    0Reply
  • Melissa HaworthBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · The Panhandle | The Emerald Coast | Panama City Beach | Destin · Member since 2017 · 269 posts · 103 votes
    4mo

    Welcome to BiggerPockets, Christelle, and congratulations on already taking steps toward your MLO license. That's a great foundation because understanding financing and lending will give you an advantage when you start analyzing investment properties.

    Since your goal is to purchase your first rental property in Florida around March 2027, you're actually in a great position because you have time to prepare rather than feeling rushed into a deal.

    My biggest piece of advice would be to spend the next several months focusing on three things: learning how to analyze deals, understanding financing options, and narrowing your target market. Florida is a large and diverse state, and a rental property that performs well in Fort Lauderdale may look very different from one in Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, or the Panhandle.

    As you learn, try reviewing properties every week and running the numbers even if you have no intention of buying them. You'll develop the ability to quickly spot opportunities and avoid deals that look good on the surface but don't work financially.

    I would also encourage you to connect with local investor groups, attend meetups, and build relationships with agents, lenders, property managers, and investors in your target markets. Many of the best opportunities and lessons come through networking rather than online research alone.

    Since you're interested in Florida, pay particular attention to insurance costs, property taxes, HOA restrictions, and local regulations. These factors can have a significant impact on returns and often surprise first-time investors.

    Most importantly, don't feel like you need to know everything before you start. The investors who succeed are usually the ones who consistently learn, build relationships, and take action when they're ready.

    Out of curiosity, are you leaning toward long-term rentals, short-term vacation rentals, or small multifamily properties for your first investment? That would help people point you toward more specific resources and strategies.

    [email protected]469-658-2869
    0Reply
  • Adrian Lammersdorf-SciollBusiness Member
    Realtor · FL · Member since 2020 · 234 posts · 101 votes
    4mo

    Hey Christelle,

    I used to live in Ft Lauderdale and work between there and Orlando.  Would love to connect if you are open to it!

    I have 2 properties myself and went the house hack route.  I have done pretty well for only starting in 2022, and would love to share realistic insights for how to invest in real estate post covid prices and interest rates.

    [email protected]561-305-2404
    Thomas Lynne Realty528 Reviews
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    0Reply
  • Ismael ReyesPro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Port St. Lucie · Member since 2013 · 140 posts · 99 votes
    4mo

    Welcome to the community, Christelle.

    Great to see your clarity of direction and commitment to building a strong foundation early on. The combination of education, mentorship, and practical exposure will serve you well as you move toward your first investment goals.

    Wishing you a meaningful journey ahead, and open to connecting and sharing insights along the way.

    0Reply
  • Jorge VazquezBusiness Member
    Real Estate Broker · Tampa, FL · Member since 2017 · 1k+ posts · 699 votes
    4mo

    Welcome, Christelle! You're already ahead of a lot of people because you've picked a target market, completed your MLO course, and have a timeline for your first investment. My biggest piece of advice is not to get stuck in analysis mode. Between now and March 2027, spend time learning how to analyze deals, understand cash flow, and build relationships with investors in the areas you're targeting. I bought my first investment property years ago and eventually grew to about 40 properties, and most of what I learned came from taking action and surrounding myself with experienced investors. Florida can be a great market if you buy right. Keep asking questions, networking, and learning. You'll be surprised how much progress you can make in a year. Best of luck on your MLO exam!

    Graystone Investment Group517 Reviews
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