Brand new to the game !

[Michael Vacha]

Hey everyone! I am brand new to the idea of Realestate investing. I’ve heard a bit about rental properties and using them to build passive income over time, I’m mostly looking for advice on the must learn topics that will help me choose better assets and work towards an in-depth education on the subject. Currently looking at starting a few college classes in Realestate finance and investments. What else should I do to learn ? Books, videos, anything will help .  

[Melissa Justice]

@Michael Vacha,

Welcome! Great to see you diving into REI. A few suggestions to build a strong foundation:

Books: Other folks have mentioned top contenders in here - Rich Dad, Poor Dad; The Millionaire Real Estate Investor, etc etc.  

Podcasts: The BiggerPockets Real Estate Podcast is gold for hearing real stories and strategies.

Analysis tools: Learn how to run numbers (cash flow, CoC return, ROI). BP calculators are super helpful.

Networking: Local REIAs or even virtual meetups help you connect with people actually doing deals.

Classes: The college courses will give you theory, but pairing that with real-world investor education (podcasts, forums, meetups) will give you the balance you need.

For beginners, a lot of investors also start with turnkey long-term rentals in the Midwest or Southeast. They offer stable cash flow, property management in place, and lower barriers to entry, which makes them a great way to get your feet wet without taking on a heavy rehab right out of the gate.

Keep learning, but don’t get stuck in analysis paralysis - the best education comes from doing your first deal.

Always happy to chat more about what's worked for other investors. Best of luck!