Where to start starts with where you are going

[Austin Grant McDowell]

Too many people in real estate get stuck staring at where they are right now.

Not enough capital.
Not enough experience.
Not enough deals.
Not enough confidence.

But here’s the mindset shift that changes everything 👇
Stop obsessing over your current position and start focusing on where you want to go.

Start with the destination

Ask yourself:

• Do I want one rental that offsets my mortgage?

• Do I want 5–10 doors for long-term wealth?

• Do I want to flip, BRRRR, wholesale, or house hack?

• Is my first goal simply buying my first home?

Clarity creates strategy. You don’t need the whole roadmap—just the next right step.

Who, not how

One of the biggest breakthroughs for me came from reading Who Not How.

Most beginners ask:

Better question:

• Who’s already investing where you want to invest?

• Who’s closing deals consistently?

• Who’s 2–3 steps ahead of you?

Find them. Learn from them. Add value where you can.

Small habits, big momentum

Another must-read is Atomic Habits.

Real estate success isn’t one big move—it’s small, consistent actions:

• Listening to a podcast on your commute

• Attending one local meetup a month

• Analyzing one deal a week

• Having one real conversation with another investor

Those habits compound faster than you think.

Relationships before returns

Here’s the truth most people overlook:
Opportunities follow relationships.

Deals come from people.
Capital comes from trust.
Knowledge comes from proximity.

Start building relationships before you think you’re “ready.” The doors open after you walk toward them—not before.

If you’re feeling behind, good. You’re exactly where you’re supposed to be—at the starting line.

Focus on where you want to go.
Build habits that move you forward.
Surround yourself with the right people.

The rest shows up.

💬 Curious—what’s your next step in building your portfolio?

[Aaron Zimmerman]

Love this mindset. Who not how is a great book.

For me, my next step is likely partnering with operators to either invest passively or go in on a smaller building together. 

Also the building relationships before your ready is so crucial. You never know how you can help someone and vice versa.