Need Advice: 23, $35k Saved, 0 debt, Want to Build a Career in Real Estate
Hey everyone!
New member here. I graduated from university last year and have been pursuing a career in finance, with the long-term goal of building a career in real estate full-time. I recently moved from California to New Jersey and am currently between jobs.
I’m 23 years old, have about $35k saved, no debt, and a good credit score, but I honestly feel a bit "lost" and overwhelmed trying to figure out the best path forward. I know $35k alone doesn’t go very far in the industry, so I’m trying to be strategic about how I use it.
In college, I did some wholesaling, and I’ve considered getting back into that. Or maybe even mobile homes, since I'm assuming they don't require a large amount of capital to get started (might be completely wrong). Ideally, though, I’d love to partner with or learn from an experienced investor in the Philly and NJ area to understand the business better.
Would appreciate any advice on what you’d do in my position, or any recommendations on the best way to break into the industry with my current situation.
Thanks!
Most Popular Reply
You’re actually in a stronger position than you think at 23 with no debt, savings, wholesaling experience, and the willingness to learn. Most people get stuck because they wait for the “perfect” time instead of getting reps in. I’d focus less on finding the perfect strategy and more on building skills that transfer everywhere, like underwriting deals, talking to sellers, networking, and understanding financing. Mobile homes can absolutely work, especially for affordability plays, but I’d avoid jumping into anything just because it seems “cheap.” A lot of newer investors also start looking at Midwest markets, because $35k can stretch a lot further there than in NJ or California, especially for duplexes, small multifamily, or value-add deals. The biggest thing right now is getting around active investors and learning how real deals actually get done instead of only consuming content online.