19-Year-Old Beginner in North VA Learning STR/MTR, Co-Hosting, Real Estate Automation
Member since 2026 · 44 posts · 16 votes
19-Year-Old Beginner in North VA Learning STR/MTR, Co-Hosting, Real Estate Automation
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Victor SoBusiness Member
Real Estate Agent · Chicago, IL · Member since 2017 · 324 posts · 192 votesQuote from @Haytham Abouelfaid:
Hey everyone, my name is Haytham. I'm 19 and based in Leesburg, VA.
I'm very new to real estate, but I've been trying to take it seriously instead of rushing into something I don't understand. I recently started attending Cash-Flow Breakfast Club events in the DMV/Northern Virginia area and have been learning about wholesaling, BRRRR, short-term rentals, mid-term rentals, and co-hosting.
Right now I can't really house hack because of my family/living situation, so I'm exploring lower-capital ways to learn real estate operations first. Co-hosting and STR/MTR operations seem interesting because I could learn the business without owning a property right away.
My background is in IT, automation, Google Sheets, Make.com-style workflows, and startup operations, so I’m especially interested in how automation can help real estate operators with guest messaging, cleaner coordination, owner reports, maintenance tracking, lead tracking, and deal analysis.
For someone early like me, what would you recommend I focus on first over the next 6–12 months?
I’m mainly trying to learn the right way, meet good people, and avoid beginner mistakes.
Victor So Real Estate LLC517 Reviews
11 Replies
- 3moVictor SoBusiness MemberReal Estate Agent · Chicago, IL · Member since 2017 · 324 posts · 192 votesI know you said househacking is not an option due to your family/living situation. But, if I were you, I’d figure out how I could get a stable W2 job, save some money and get into a property with 3-5% down. In my case, i used to be a pharmacy technician in college so if I could go back, I’d work full time in a pharmacy (which would help me qualify for a loan), save money, and get into a condo/townhouse (preferably a SFH if not too expensive). I’d perhaps consider getting a cheap, dilapidated SFH and fix it up myself by watching YouTube videos and blogs.
Quote from @Haytham Abouelfaid:
Hey everyone, my name is Haytham. I'm 19 and based in Leesburg, VA.
I'm very new to real estate, but I've been trying to take it seriously instead of rushing into something I don't understand. I recently started attending Cash-Flow Breakfast Club events in the DMV/Northern Virginia area and have been learning about wholesaling, BRRRR, short-term rentals, mid-term rentals, and co-hosting.
Right now I can't really house hack because of my family/living situation, so I'm exploring lower-capital ways to learn real estate operations first. Co-hosting and STR/MTR operations seem interesting because I could learn the business without owning a property right away.
My background is in IT, automation, Google Sheets, Make.com-style workflows, and startup operations, so I’m especially interested in how automation can help real estate operators with guest messaging, cleaner coordination, owner reports, maintenance tracking, lead tracking, and deal analysis.
For someone early like me, what would you recommend I focus on first over the next 6–12 months?
I’m mainly trying to learn the right way, meet good people, and avoid beginner mistakes.
Victor So Real Estate LLC517 Reviews- Member since 2026 · 44 posts · 16 votes3mo
Quote from @Victor So:
I know you said househacking is not an option due to your family/living situation. But, if I were you, I’d figure out how I could get a stable W2 job, save some money and get into a property with 3-5% down. In my case, i used to be a pharmacy technician in college so if I could go back, I’d work full time in a pharmacy (which would help me qualify for a loan), save money, and get into a condo/townhouse (preferably a SFH if not too expensive). I’d perhaps consider getting a cheap, dilapidated SFH and fix it up myself by watching YouTube videos and blogs.Quote from @Haytham Abouelfaid:
Hey everyone, my name is Haytham. I'm 19 and based in Leesburg, VA.
I'm very new to real estate, but I've been trying to take it seriously instead of rushing into something I don't understand. I recently started attending Cash-Flow Breakfast Club events in the DMV/Northern Virginia area and have been learning about wholesaling, BRRRR, short-term rentals, mid-term rentals, and co-hosting.
Right now I can't really house hack because of my family/living situation, so I'm exploring lower-capital ways to learn real estate operations first. Co-hosting and STR/MTR operations seem interesting because I could learn the business without owning a property right away.
My background is in IT, automation, Google Sheets, Make.com-style workflows, and startup operations, so I’m especially interested in how automation can help real estate operators with guest messaging, cleaner coordination, owner reports, maintenance tracking, lead tracking, and deal analysis.
For someone early like me, what would you recommend I focus on first over the next 6–12 months?
I’m mainly trying to learn the right way, meet good people, and avoid beginner mistakes.
Thanks Victor, I appreciate the advice. That makes sense. I’m starting a stable W-2 role soon, so I’m starting to realize that income stability and financing readiness are probably a bigger part of the real estate path than I originally thought.
House hacking is not really available to me right now because of my living situation, but the idea of building income, saving, and eventually using low-down-payment financing is helpful. I’m trying to be patient and build the foundation first instead of rushing into a strategy I don’t fully understand yet.
- Investor · VA · Member since 2015 · 21k+ posts · 19k+ votes3mo
I agree with Victor. As the key to growing in real estate, it's typically backed by your W-2 job to get the money to get into real estate.
I personally am not a fan of the arbitrage of midterm or short-term rentals. As you will have trouble finding someone that allows that and I am not sure how profitable that will be in this region.
Since you are also extremely young, I would advise and remind you that real estate is a marathon, not a sprint. Wealth in this business is typically created over decades, not over days.
7e investments53 Reviews- Member since 2026 · 44 posts · 16 votes3mo
Quote from @Chris Seveney:
I agree with Victor. As the key to growing in real estate, it's typically backed by your W-2 job to get the money to get into real estate.
I personally am not a fan of the arbitrage of midterm or short-term rentals. As you will have trouble finding someone that allows that and I am not sure how profitable that will be in this region.
Since you are also extremely young, I would advise and remind you that real estate is a marathon, not a sprint. Wealth in this business is typically created over decades, not over days.
Thanks Chris, I really appreciate the perspective, especially with you being in Virginia.
The “marathon, not a sprint” point is something I’m trying to keep in mind. I’m starting a W-2 role soon, so right now I’m focused on building income, savings, and real estate knowledge before trying to do anything too aggressive.
I also appreciate the point on STR/MTR arbitrage. That helps me separate co-hosting/operations learning from taking on lease/arbitrage risk too early.
- 3moAaron ZimmermanBusiness MemberAccountant · Chicago, IL · Member since 2018 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votesWhat does your current cash position look like?
Brick House CPAs53 Reviews- Member since 2026 · 44 posts · 16 votes3mo
Quote from @Aaron Zimmerman:
What does your current cash position look like?Thanks Aaron. I’m still early and not looking to deploy capital into a deal right now. I’m starting a stable W-2 role soon, so my current focus is building savings, reserves, and financial readiness while learning the fundamentals.
I’m mainly trying to understand what I should focus on before buying anything: underwriting, cash flow, expenses, financing, reserves, and risk. I appreciate the question because it makes me think about the capital side more realistically.
- 3moAaron ZimmermanBusiness MemberAccountant · Chicago, IL · Member since 2018 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
@Haytham Abouelfaid I would look to understand the fundamentals of personal finance and then I'd listen to podcasts/read books about house hacking. Rich dad poor dad is a classic. Set for life is what I'd read for your personal finances.
Brick House CPAs53 Reviews
- 3moJimmy LieuBusiness MemberReal Estate Agent · Columbus, OH · Member since 2019 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votesHi Haytham, welcome to BP. Honestly, you're already doing something a lot of people skip by focusing on education and networking before jumping into a deal. With your background in IT, automation, and operations, I would lean into that over the next 6–12 months. Real estate investors and operators constantly need help with systems, automations, lead management, guest communication, maintenance workflows, and reporting. Working alongside experienced operators can give you exposure to acquisitions, property management, tenant relations, and deal analysis without risking your own capital right away. I would also spend time getting really good at underwriting deals and analyzing properties since that skill applies to every strategy, whether it's BRRRR, rentals, wholesaling, STRs, or MTRs. One beginner mistake I see is chasing the latest strategy without fully understanding the fundamentals of cash flow, expenses, financing, and risk. Focus on building relationships, learning how deals actually perform in the real world, and getting hands-on experience wherever you can. At 19, you have a huge advantage because time is on your side, and the knowledge and network you build now will compound for years. Keep attending events, asking questions, and staying patient, and you'll be ahead of a lot of people who rush into their first deal without a solid foundation.
Quote from @Haytham Abouelfaid:
Hey everyone, my name is Haytham. I'm 19 and based in Leesburg, VA.
I'm very new to real estate, but I've been trying to take it seriously instead of rushing into something I don't understand. I recently started attending Cash-Flow Breakfast Club events in the DMV/Northern Virginia area and have been learning about wholesaling, BRRRR, short-term rentals, mid-term rentals, and co-hosting.
Right now I can't really house hack because of my family/living situation, so I'm exploring lower-capital ways to learn real estate operations first. Co-hosting and STR/MTR operations seem interesting because I could learn the business without owning a property right away.
My background is in IT, automation, Google Sheets, Make.com-style workflows, and startup operations, so I’m especially interested in how automation can help real estate operators with guest messaging, cleaner coordination, owner reports, maintenance tracking, lead tracking, and deal analysis.
For someone early like me, what would you recommend I focus on first over the next 6–12 months?
I’m mainly trying to learn the right way, meet good people, and avoid beginner mistakes.
Jimmy Lieu, Red 1 Realty4.9120 Reviews- Member since 2026 · 44 posts · 16 votes3mo
Quote from @Jimmy Lieu:
Hi Haytham, welcome to BP. Honestly, you're already doing something a lot of people skip by focusing on education and networking before jumping into a deal. With your background in IT, automation, and operations, I would lean into that over the next 6–12 months. Real estate investors and operators constantly need help with systems, automations, lead management, guest communication, maintenance workflows, and reporting. Working alongside experienced operators can give you exposure to acquisitions, property management, tenant relations, and deal analysis without risking your own capital right away. I would also spend time getting really good at underwriting deals and analyzing properties since that skill applies to every strategy, whether it's BRRRR, rentals, wholesaling, STRs, or MTRs. One beginner mistake I see is chasing the latest strategy without fully understanding the fundamentals of cash flow, expenses, financing, and risk. Focus on building relationships, learning how deals actually perform in the real world, and getting hands-on experience wherever you can. At 19, you have a huge advantage because time is on your side, and the knowledge and network you build now will compound for years. Keep attending events, asking questions, and staying patient, and you'll be ahead of a lot of people who rush into their first deal without a solid foundation.Quote from @Haytham Abouelfaid:
Hey everyone, my name is Haytham. I'm 19 and based in Leesburg, VA.
I'm very new to real estate, but I've been trying to take it seriously instead of rushing into something I don't understand. I recently started attending Cash-Flow Breakfast Club events in the DMV/Northern Virginia area and have been learning about wholesaling, BRRRR, short-term rentals, mid-term rentals, and co-hosting.
Right now I can't really house hack because of my family/living situation, so I'm exploring lower-capital ways to learn real estate operations first. Co-hosting and STR/MTR operations seem interesting because I could learn the business without owning a property right away.
My background is in IT, automation, Google Sheets, Make.com-style workflows, and startup operations, so I’m especially interested in how automation can help real estate operators with guest messaging, cleaner coordination, owner reports, maintenance tracking, lead tracking, and deal analysis.
For someone early like me, what would you recommend I focus on first over the next 6–12 months?
I’m mainly trying to learn the right way, meet good people, and avoid beginner mistakes.
Thanks Jimmy, this was really helpful and honestly lines up with what I’ve been thinking.
I’m realizing that my best angle right now may be learning operations, systems, and underwriting before trying to buy anything. With my IT/automation background, I’m hoping I can eventually be useful to experienced operators while learning how real deals and real properties actually perform.
I also agree on not chasing the latest strategy. I’m trying to build the foundation first: cash flow, expenses, financing, risk, and deal analysis.
- Attorney · 10451 Mill Run Cir #755 Owings Mills, MD 21117 · Member since 2025 · 25 posts · 3 votes2mo
Welcome, Haytham!
I like that you’re taking time to learn instead of rushing into your first deal. Since you already have skills in IT and automation, co-hosting could be a good way to use what you know while learning how rentals work day to day. I’d focus on one path first, learn it well, and build strong connections in Northern Virginia.
I’m Diana Khan, a Maryland attorney, broker, and investor, and I’m glad to connect.- Attorney · 10451 Mill Run Cir #755 Owings Mills, MD 21117 · Member since 2024 · 317 posts · 119 votes1mo
Quote from @Account Closed:
Welcome, Haytham!
I like that you’re taking time to learn instead of rushing into your first deal. Since you already have skills in IT and automation, co-hosting could be a good way to use what you know while learning how rentals work day to day. I’d focus on one path first, learn it well, and build strong connections in Northern Virginia.
I’m Diana Khan, a Maryland attorney, broker, and investor, and I’m glad to connect.Hi @Haytham Abouelfaid, just a quick note. We created another BiggerPockets account because we did not realize this original account was still active. That newer account has now been closed, and I’ll be using this account moving forward. I’m still happy to connect with you here.
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