Rookie thirsting fir knowledge & buyers

Rookie thirsting fir knowledge & buyers

Member since 2026 · 9 posts · 9 votes

Good morning to all from Columbus, Ohio. I am a rookie in REI, looking to network & possibly partner with an experienced wholesaler, at least in the beginning. I learn best by shadowing. I am ready to invest in marketing software & start the search. Just need knowledge as to what to say, deal examples, what to look for in a home, how to calculate repairs (if any needed), where to get an approved contract template, does the seeker usually have a title company or do I need to contact one, where do I find end buyers....

I have an Administrative background (multilingual) so I am good with following up after making initial contact. How often do we follow up on our calls? Weekly? Biweekly? Does the end buyer need to put a non-refundable deposit on the property? 

I thank you greatly for your input, your help & hopefully the willingness to work together. May God bless you all & keep you safe.

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Louie FranciscoPro Member
Investor · Orange County, CA · Member since 2026 · 6 posts · 4 votes
6mo

Hi everyone,

I'm new to BiggerPockets and new to the Columbus market. I'm looking for my first deal in Columbus and would love to connect with wholesalers. Thanks!

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  • Member since 2026 · 43 posts · 21 votes
    6mo

    Hi Tanya,

    You seem to have a strong foundation, especially given your experience in admin and follow-up. That is a significant benefit in our industry.

    Here are some brief tips to get you going:

    -The majority of what you learn will come from seller conversations, so start there.
    -Discover the basics. of deal analysis, including offer range, rough rehab, and ARV. Instead than striving for perfection, just get close and get better over time.
    -You can get contracts from local lawyers or investor-friendly title companies.
    -Yes, you should get in touch with a title companies as soon as possible. They will assist you with the transaction after you have a contract.

    For buyers, look at recent cash sales in your market and reach out to those investors.

    Regarding the follow-up:

    -If they show no interest, follow up after a few weeks.
    -Every few days to a week, if there is any interest.
    -Here, consistency is crucial because this is where many deals come from.

    Additionally, you don't have to "shadow" someone in order to get started. You’ll learn a lot just by taking action and having real conversations.

    You're asking the proper questions; all you need to do is start putting reps, and things will begin to make sense.

    • Member since 2026 · 9 posts · 9 votes
      6mo
      Quote from @Brandon Hightower:

      Hi Tanya,

      You seem to have a strong foundation, especially given your experience in admin and follow-up. That is a significant benefit in our industry.

      Here are some brief tips to get you going:

      -The majority of what you learn will come from seller conversations, so start there.
      -Discover the basics. of deal analysis, including offer range, rough rehab, and ARV. Instead than striving for perfection, just get close and get better over time.
      -You can get contracts from local lawyers or investor-friendly title companies.
      -Yes, you should get in touch with a title companies as soon as possible. They will assist you with the transaction after you have a contract.

      For buyers, look at recent cash sales in your market and reach out to those investors.

      Regarding the follow-up:

      -If they show no interest, follow up after a few weeks.
      -Every few days to a week, if there is any interest.
      -Here, consistency is crucial because this is where many deals come from.

      Additionally, you don't have to "shadow" someone in order to get started. You’ll learn a lot just by taking action and having real conversations.

      You're asking the proper questions; all you need to do is start putting reps, and things will begin to make sense.

      Thank you so very much, Brandon, for your input! Definitely need to start calling, asking questions, and getting a better sense of who is whom in this market. I truly appreciate your guidance.
  • Wholesaler · Charleston WV · Member since 2026 · 271 posts · 151 votes
    6mo

    You’re asking the right questions, but don’t overcomplicate this early—focus on talking to people and understanding their situations. When you speak with sellers, keep it simple and centered on their problem by asking what’s going on with the property and letting them explain; your goal is to identify motivation, condition, and whether the price makes sense. Repairs don’t need to be exact—just think in ranges like light, medium, or heavy. Yes, use a standard assignment contract and find an investor-friendly title company before you get a deal since they’ll handle the closing. Start building your buyer list now through local Facebook groups, meetups, and by reaching out to cash buyers from sold properties. Follow-up is key—initial contact, then again in a couple days, then weekly—and most deals come from consistent follow-up. Your end buyer should put down a non-refundable deposit to secure the deal. The fastest way to learn is by working real leads, so if you’re serious, collaborating on an actual deal will teach you more than any course.

  • Jimmy LieuBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Columbus, OH · Member since 2019 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    6mo
    Quote from @Tanya Farreras:

    Good morning to all from Columbus, Ohio. I am a rookie in REI, looking to network & possibly partner with an experienced wholesaler, at least in the beginning. I learn best by shadowing. I am ready to invest in marketing software & start the search. Just need knowledge as to what to say, deal examples, what to look for in a home, how to calculate repairs (if any needed), where to get an approved contract template, does the seeker usually have a title company or do I need to contact one, where do I find end buyers....

    I have an Administrative background (multilingual) so I am good with following up after making initial contact. How often do we follow up on our calls? Weekly? Biweekly? Does the end buyer need to put a non-refundable deposit on the property? 

    I thank you greatly for your input, your help & hopefully the willingness to work together. May God bless you all & keep you safe.

    Good morning Tanya, welcome to BP! You’re on the right track wanting to learn by shadowing, that’s honestly how most people pick this up. With wholesaling, focus on finding motivated sellers, asking about their situation and timeline, and locking up deals at a price that leaves room for your end buyer. Don’t overthink scripts, just keep it conversational. For repairs, start with rough per square foot estimates and refine as you go, and it’s smart to connect with an investor friendly title company early since they’ll handle assignments. Your buyers list will come from networking and local groups, and consistent follow up is key, usually weekly or every couple weeks depending on how motivated the seller is. Also, being in Columbus is a big advantage, the market has strong population and job growth with companies like Intel and Amazon moving in, and you can still find deals that cash flow and hit the 1 percent rule, which makes it a great place to get started. Happy to connect and answer any questions you have!



  • Member since 2026 · 9 posts · 9 votes
    6mo

    Thank you greatly, Travis, by your continued support & guidance. I've been told to make 200-300 calls x day. That sounds a tad exaggerated, or is it just me? 

  • Member since 2026 · 9 posts · 9 votes
    6mo

    Thank you so much, Jimmy! I've been reading that if repairs need to be done, to keep conservative numbers. Would you be willing to meet since I see you're in the Columbus area? 

  • Member since 2026 · 119 posts · 45 votes
    6mo

    Shadowing is hard to find as a cold ask because experienced wholesalers don't usually want a partner, they want a bird dog who brings them deals. If you flip the offer (you'll pull lists, drive neighborhoods, make the first contact calls in exchange for sitting in on their closings), the yes rate goes up a lot.

  • Lender · Playa del Carmen, México · Member since 2014 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    6mo
    Quote from @Tanya Farreras:

    Good morning to all from Columbus, Ohio. I am a rookie in REI, looking to network & possibly partner with an experienced wholesaler, at least in the beginning. I learn best by shadowing. I am ready to invest in marketing software & start the search. Just need knowledge as to what to say, deal examples, what to look for in a home, how to calculate repairs (if any needed), where to get an approved contract template, does the seeker usually have a title company or do I need to contact one, where do I find end buyers....

    I have an Administrative background (multilingual) so I am good with following up after making initial contact. How often do we follow up on our calls? Weekly? Biweekly? Does the end buyer need to put a non-refundable deposit on the property? 

    I thank you greatly for your input, your help & hopefully the willingness to work together. May God bless you all & keep you safe.


    Hi Tanya, welcome to BiggerPockets!

    I'd love to connect with you, but I can't DM on this platform. If you check my profile, you can see how to reach me via email or LinkedIn.

  • Louie FranciscoPro Member
    Investor · Orange County, CA · Member since 2026 · 6 posts · 4 votes
    6mo

    Hi everyone,

    I'm new to BiggerPockets and new to the Columbus market. I'm looking for my first deal in Columbus and would love to connect with wholesalers. Thanks!

  • Investor · Hendersonville, NC · Member since 2016 · 498 posts · 286 votes
    5mo
    Quote from @Tanya Farreras:

    Good morning to all from Columbus, Ohio. I am a rookie in REI, looking to network & possibly partner with an experienced wholesaler, at least in the beginning. I learn best by shadowing. I am ready to invest in marketing software & start the search. Just need knowledge as to what to say, deal examples, what to look for in a home, how to calculate repairs (if any needed), where to get an approved contract template, does the seeker usually have a title company or do I need to contact one, where do I find end buyers....

    I have an Administrative background (multilingual) so I am good with following up after making initial contact. How often do we follow up on our calls? Weekly? Biweekly? Does the end buyer need to put a non-refundable deposit on the property? 

    I thank you greatly for your input, your help & hopefully the willingness to work together. May God bless you all & keep you safe.


    I'd be careful spending much on software before you know exactly what part of the process it's solving. Early on, I'd focus on three things: building a real buyer list, learning what those buyers actually want, and getting reps talking to sellers. A lot of new wholesalers skip the buyer side and then end up guessing on ARV, repairs, and offer price.

    For follow-up, I wouldn’t think of it as one fixed schedule. If they’re motivated or there’s a real issue with the property, follow up more often. If it’s lukewarm, space it out. The mistake is usually either never following up or following up with nothing useful to say.

    Also, don’t just look for “distressed sellers.” Look for property problems. Deferred maintenance, code issues, taxes, vacant houses, tired landlords, ugly rentals, inherited properties, etc. The better you get at spotting real problems, the better your calls will be.

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