Ready to Be an Investor… Now What?

[Gia Hermosillo]

You’ve set aside the funds. You’ve made the decision. You’re ready to become a real estate investor.

Now what?

That’s the question most people don’t realize they need to answer before they start clicking through listings or scheduling showings.

Here’s a quick reality check: Investing in real estate isn't just buying a home and hoping it rents. It’s a strategy game—and the first move isn’t choosing a property. It’s building the right team.

Step 1: Secure a team with investor vision
Realtors are essential—but not all are equipped to look at properties through an investor lens. A traditional agent might say,

But the investor in you should be thinking:

You want someone on your team who walks through the property asking:

• How quickly can this be rent-ready?

• Is there rental demand in this area?

• What will maintenance cost me in the long run?

• How does this perform on paper?

Step 2: Bring property management into the conversation early
Too often, property managers are treated as an afterthought—when in fact, they’re the ones who will help you operate that investment. The earlier they're involved, the more strategic your decisions will be:

• Is this a property tenants actually want?

• Are you over-improving a rental that won’t command more rent?

• What’s the competition charging, and why?

ROI starts during the walk-through, not after the lease is signed.

Step 3: Keep your return the priority—always
Every vendor, every upgrade, every delay eats into your return.
Every smart decision, every vetted contractor, every day saved adds to it.

Real estate investing has many moving parts—and unless you’re ready to wear all the hats (and juggle all the timelines), the smartest move is assembling a team that’s already working in sync.

Whether you're ready to go solo or want a streamlined process, just remember: ROI starts with your time value.