24 y/o with $120,000.00 --> Need advice

24 y/o with $120,000.00 --> Need advice

Member since 2023 · 10 posts · 6 votes

Hello everyone,

I’m Ethan, a 24-year-old real estate agent in the Greater Boston Area with just over $120,000 saved. I’m seeking advice on my next steps in real estate investing and would greatly appreciate your insights.

Currently, I work with landlords who use the rental buy-and-hold strategy. I am primarily a rental agent so I am very familiar with the LTR model. I’m considering purchasing a rental property in Southern New Hampshire due to the more affordable multifamily options compared to Boston. However, I’m also contemplating learning the flipping business, either by working with a flipper or trying it myself, to generate a larger cash position.

I’m open to the idea of out-of-state investing but would approach it conservatively. My primary question is: Should I focus on buying a multifamily property and growing slowly to build a stable financial foundation, even though my area would have minimal cash flow and be more of an appreciation play? My income is variable but typically around $130,000 annually, with a 60-70% savings rate.

I’m just starting out and eager to learn, so any advice, experiences, or strategies you can share would be incredibly helpful.

Thank you in advance for your insights.

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Chris SeveneyBusiness Member
Moderator
Investor · VA · Member since 2015 · 21k+ posts · 19k+ votes
2y
Quote from @Ethan Piani:

Hello everyone,

I’m Ethan, a 24-year-old real estate agent in the Greater Boston Area with just over $120,000 saved. I’m seeking advice on my next steps in real estate investing and would greatly appreciate your insights.

Currently, I work with landlords who use the rental buy-and-hold strategy. I am primarily a rental agent so I am very familiar with the LTR model. I’m considering purchasing a rental property in Southern New Hampshire due to the more affordable multifamily options compared to Boston. However, I’m also contemplating learning the flipping business, either by working with a flipper or trying it myself, to generate a larger cash position.

I’m open to the idea of out-of-state investing but would approach it conservatively. My primary question is: Should I focus on buying a multifamily property and growing slowly to build a stable financial foundation, even though my area would have minimal cash flow and be more of an appreciation play? My income is variable but typically around $130,000 annually, with a 60-70% savings rate.

I’m just starting out and eager to learn, so any advice, experiences, or strategies you can share would be incredibly helpful.

Thank you in advance for your insights.

If it was me I would stick with owning over fix and flip. I recommend connecting with @Andrew Freed and others in the area who run REIA's and meetup groups etc.

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  • Member since 2023 · 10 posts · 6 votes
    2y
    Quote from @Joel Owens:

    Principal broker 20+ years in commercial real estate. 

    Ethan likely best for you is to keep working capital to grow your book of business. Then eventually move up where you hold your license for better splits or go out on your own.

    Once you have solid foundation then start investing more.

    You did good saving up some money but if you buy the wrong investment could sink you for awhile.

    Example if I put 1 million dollars into a property that gives me 6% I make 60k a year. How much can I make putting 1 million into my business? I have not put that much in before but likely make 20x on that in 1 year. So you have to analyze active versus passive investments and how you want to allocate your time for your overall short and long term investing and career plans.

    Good luck

    This might not be the advice I want, but it could easily be the advice I need. I completely agree that one bad deal could be detrimental in the long term. Where do you suggest I spend some money to benefit the business? Currently, I don't spend anything on marketing, software, etc. I'd love some advice on that.

  • Joel OwensBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Broker · Canton, GA · Member since 2010 · 15k+ posts · 11k+ votes
    2y

    Do you have enough years in to take the broker test or have you already passed that and are an associate broker at a firm?

  • Member since 2023 · 10 posts · 6 votes
    2y
    Quote from @Joel Owens:

    Do you have enough years in to take the broker test or have you already passed that and are an associate broker at a firm?

    I have been licensed for just over 3 years and am currently working as a salesperson. My commission split is 85%, with no fees. I've considered getting my broker's license, but staying at my current brokerage wouldn't make it very beneficial. I also lack experience in sales, as our office primarily handles rentals.

  • Joel OwensBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Broker · Canton, GA · Member since 2010 · 15k+ posts · 11k+ votes
    2y

    Here are 4 levels lowest to highest.

    1. Property management - major time suck and investors constantly want the world for service and low money

    2. Leasing residential or commercial - pays decent but often in commercial longer timelines to make money as tenants can take awhile to decide on a location. Residential you can get capped on how many rentals with time you can do.

    3. Brokering sales commercial or residential. Top residential brokers without teams on sales typically do about 300k to 500k ( New York and CA would be different as more money made but also lot more money spent on listings not sold so can lose your butt or do well). Commercial individual can make millions per year as a broker with experience.

    4. Syndicating deals as GP with LP investors ( Make money fees buying and selling along with management, some of the cash flow and upside as well.

    My brokerage it's just me because I did not want to babysit lots of agents it's not my thing. I know some brokers that take support calls for their agents and make 200k to 300k a year and play golf and vacation rest of the time.

  • Drew SygitBusiness Member
    Property Manager · Royal Oak, MI · Member since 2012 · 12k+ posts · 9k+ votes
    2y

    Buy a 2-4 family property, live in one unit and rent the rest. YIf your unit has multiple bedrooms, rent the other(s) to roommates to increase cashflow.

    This will teach you a lot about landlording and after 1-2 years, you can buy another and repeat the process.

  • Samuel DioufBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Columbus & Cleveland, OH · Member since 2023 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    2y

    Hey Ethan, 

    House-hacking is one of the best ways to get your foot in the door of investing. You’re able to learn the basics of a real estate investment with lower risk and build equity at the same time.

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