New member from the Denver area

Real Estate Broker · Atlanta · Member since 2024 · 1k+ posts · 604 votes

1mo

@Drew Moler Welcome to the BiggerPockets community. It sounds like you have a solid plan and are taking the right approach by learning and networking before your move. I would also recommend joining a local REIA in the Knoxville area to start building your network early. Best of luck on your journey.

0 Reply

Jordan RayBusiness Member

Real Estate Agent · Memphis, TN · Member since 2023 · 623 posts · 321 votes

1mo

Quote from @Drew Moler:

Hi everyone!

My name is Drew, and I'm excited to finally join the BiggerPockets community. I'm 48 years old and currently work full-time as an automotive technician in the Denver, Colorado, area.

I didn't receive much financial education growing up, so my investing journey didn't really begin until 2025, when I started listening to personal finance podcasts. BiggerPockets Money quickly became one of my favorites, and after discovering the BiggerPockets Real Estate Podcast, I became fascinated with real estate investing. I recently finished reading How to Invest in Real Estate by Josh Dorkin and Brandon Turner, and it confirmed that this is a path I want to pursue.

My long-term goal is to transition from trading my time for money to building wealth through real estate. Right now, I'm especially interested in house hacking, the BRRRR strategy, and long-term buy-and-hold rentals.

Another big reason I'm joining the community now is that I'm planning to relocate from the Denver area to the Knoxville, Tennessee, area within the next 18–36 months. My hope is to begin building relationships and learning about the Knoxville market well before I make the move.

One idea I've been seriously considering is becoming a part-time real estate agent. My thinking is that it would help me better understand the buying and selling process, give me access to the MLS, expand my network, and hopefully provide a little side income while I build my own investment portfolio.

I'd love to hear from anyone who has gone this route. If you're an investor who became an agent—or an agent who became an investor—I'd really appreciate your perspective. Was getting your license worth it? Since I'm planning to move to the Knoxville area, I'd also love to connect with anyone investing there or who knows the market well.

Thanks for taking the time to read my introduction. I'm looking forward to learning from all of you, building relationships, and sharing my progress as I get started!

Welcome to BiggerPockets! It sounds like you're approaching this the right way by spending time learning before jumping in. I was actually already an investor before I became a real estate agent. The reason I got my license was because I wanted to transition into real estate full time, and getting licensed gave me the opportunity to make that jump. It just so happened that my business really took off because I focused on working with investors while continuing to buy investment properties myself. Today I help clients buy and sell real estate, but I'm also actively investing. If your goal is to build a real estate sales business, then getting your license can absolutely be worth it. But if you don't plan on selling houses, I honestly wouldn't recommend getting licensed just for MLS access. I'd rather have a great investor-friendly agent on my team and spend my time becoming a better investor instead.

Since you're interested in BRRRR and long-term rentals, I'd start practicing now by analyzing ARVs, rents, rehab costs, market trends, and the overall layout of the markets you're considering so you're comfortable underwriting deals before you ever write an offer. Even before you move to Knoxville, start building your boots-on-the-ground team—an investor-friendly agent who also owns rentals, a solid property manager, a reliable general contractor, and the right lending contacts. One reason I've had success investing in Memphis is that it's still possible to find properties that meet or exceed the 1% rule while also benefiting from appreciation over time if you buy in the right locations. If you decide to pursue the BRRRR strategy, another advantage is that local hard money lenders can finance 100% of the purchase and 100% of the rehab, with rehab draws throughout the project so you don't have to front the construction costs yourself. Many investors are able to complete deals with around $10,000 out of pocket before refinancing into long-term financing. Focus on becoming great at analyzing deals and building relationships first—the license is just a tool if you actually plan to use it. Feel free to reach out, talk soon!

[email protected]662-642-1458

Jordan Ray - eXp Realty5110 Reviews

Website View Page

0 Reply

Drew Moler
OP
New to Real Estate · Littleton, CO · Member since 2026 · 2 posts · 6 votes
1mo
Quote from @Jordan Ray:

Quote from @Drew Moler:

Hi everyone!

My name is Drew, and I'm excited to finally join the BiggerPockets community. I'm 48 years old and currently work full-time as an automotive technician in the Denver, Colorado, area.

I didn't receive much financial education growing up, so my investing journey didn't really begin until 2025, when I started listening to personal finance podcasts. BiggerPockets Money quickly became one of my favorites, and after discovering the BiggerPockets Real Estate Podcast, I became fascinated with real estate investing. I recently finished reading How to Invest in Real Estate by Josh Dorkin and Brandon Turner, and it confirmed that this is a path I want to pursue.

My long-term goal is to transition from trading my time for money to building wealth through real estate. Right now, I'm especially interested in house hacking, the BRRRR strategy, and long-term buy-and-hold rentals.

Another big reason I'm joining the community now is that I'm planning to relocate from the Denver area to the Knoxville, Tennessee, area within the next 18–36 months. My hope is to begin building relationships and learning about the Knoxville market well before I make the move.

One idea I've been seriously considering is becoming a part-time real estate agent. My thinking is that it would help me better understand the buying and selling process, give me access to the MLS, expand my network, and hopefully provide a little side income while I build my own investment portfolio.

I'd love to hear from anyone who has gone this route. If you're an investor who became an agent—or an agent who became an investor—I'd really appreciate your perspective. Was getting your license worth it? Since I'm planning to move to the Knoxville area, I'd also love to connect with anyone investing there or who knows the market well.

Thanks for taking the time to read my introduction. I'm looking forward to learning from all of you, building relationships, and sharing my progress as I get started!

Welcome to BiggerPockets! It sounds like you're approaching this the right way by spending time learning before jumping in. I was actually already an investor before I became a real estate agent. The reason I got my license was because I wanted to transition into real estate full time, and getting licensed gave me the opportunity to make that jump. It just so happened that my business really took off because I focused on working with investors while continuing to buy investment properties myself. Today I help clients buy and sell real estate, but I'm also actively investing. If your goal is to build a real estate sales business, then getting your license can absolutely be worth it. But if you don't plan on selling houses, I honestly wouldn't recommend getting licensed just for MLS access. I'd rather have a great investor-friendly agent on my team and spend my time becoming a better investor instead.

Since you're interested in BRRRR and long-term rentals, I'd start practicing now by analyzing ARVs, rents, rehab costs, market trends, and the overall layout of the markets you're considering so you're comfortable underwriting deals before you ever write an offer. Even before you move to Knoxville, start building your boots-on-the-ground team—an investor-friendly agent who also owns rentals, a solid property manager, a reliable general contractor, and the right lending contacts. One reason I've had success investing in Memphis is that it's still possible to find properties that meet or exceed the 1% rule while also benefiting from appreciation over time if you buy in the right locations. If you decide to pursue the BRRRR strategy, another advantage is that local hard money lenders can finance 100% of the purchase and 100% of the rehab, with rehab draws throughout the project so you don't have to front the construction costs yourself. Many investors are able to complete deals with around $10,000 out of pocket before refinancing into long-term financing. Focus on becoming great at analyzing deals and building relationships first—the license is just a tool if you actually plan to use it. Feel free to reach out, talk soon!
Hello Jordan!

I really appreciate all of the helpful information. I'm looking forward to connecting with experienced investors like yourself and learning as much as I can.

Since you're in Memphis, I'd love to hear more about that part of the country as well. I'm planning a trip to the Knoxville and Bristol areas in mid-September to do some research on a potential move and to attend the NASCAR race at Bristol.

I'm really excited about the trip and about beginning my journey toward financial independence through real estate investing. In a lot of ways, this trip to Tennessee feels like the first real step toward making that goal a reality.
1 Reply
Jordan RayBusiness Member
Real Estate Agent · Memphis, TN · Member since 2023 · 623 posts · 321 votes
1mo
Quote from @Drew Moler:

Quote from @Jordan Ray:

Quote from @Drew Moler:

Hi everyone!

My name is Drew, and I'm excited to finally join the BiggerPockets community. I'm 48 years old and currently work full-time as an automotive technician in the Denver, Colorado, area.

I didn't receive much financial education growing up, so my investing journey didn't really begin until 2025, when I started listening to personal finance podcasts. BiggerPockets Money quickly became one of my favorites, and after discovering the BiggerPockets Real Estate Podcast, I became fascinated with real estate investing. I recently finished reading How to Invest in Real Estate by Josh Dorkin and Brandon Turner, and it confirmed that this is a path I want to pursue.

My long-term goal is to transition from trading my time for money to building wealth through real estate. Right now, I'm especially interested in house hacking, the BRRRR strategy, and long-term buy-and-hold rentals.

Another big reason I'm joining the community now is that I'm planning to relocate from the Denver area to the Knoxville, Tennessee, area within the next 18–36 months. My hope is to begin building relationships and learning about the Knoxville market well before I make the move.

One idea I've been seriously considering is becoming a part-time real estate agent. My thinking is that it would help me better understand the buying and selling process, give me access to the MLS, expand my network, and hopefully provide a little side income while I build my own investment portfolio.

I'd love to hear from anyone who has gone this route. If you're an investor who became an agent—or an agent who became an investor—I'd really appreciate your perspective. Was getting your license worth it? Since I'm planning to move to the Knoxville area, I'd also love to connect with anyone investing there or who knows the market well.

Thanks for taking the time to read my introduction. I'm looking forward to learning from all of you, building relationships, and sharing my progress as I get started!

Welcome to BiggerPockets! It sounds like you're approaching this the right way by spending time learning before jumping in. I was actually already an investor before I became a real estate agent. The reason I got my license was because I wanted to transition into real estate full time, and getting licensed gave me the opportunity to make that jump. It just so happened that my business really took off because I focused on working with investors while continuing to buy investment properties myself. Today I help clients buy and sell real estate, but I'm also actively investing. If your goal is to build a real estate sales business, then getting your license can absolutely be worth it. But if you don't plan on selling houses, I honestly wouldn't recommend getting licensed just for MLS access. I'd rather have a great investor-friendly agent on my team and spend my time becoming a better investor instead.

Since you're interested in BRRRR and long-term rentals, I'd start practicing now by analyzing ARVs, rents, rehab costs, market trends, and the overall layout of the markets you're considering so you're comfortable underwriting deals before you ever write an offer. Even before you move to Knoxville, start building your boots-on-the-ground team—an investor-friendly agent who also owns rentals, a solid property manager, a reliable general contractor, and the right lending contacts. One reason I've had success investing in Memphis is that it's still possible to find properties that meet or exceed the 1% rule while also benefiting from appreciation over time if you buy in the right locations. If you decide to pursue the BRRRR strategy, another advantage is that local hard money lenders can finance 100% of the purchase and 100% of the rehab, with rehab draws throughout the project so you don't have to front the construction costs yourself. Many investors are able to complete deals with around $10,000 out of pocket before refinancing into long-term financing. Focus on becoming great at analyzing deals and building relationships first—the license is just a tool if you actually plan to use it. Feel free to reach out, talk soon!
Hello Jordan!

I really appreciate all of the helpful information. I'm looking forward to connecting with experienced investors like yourself and learning as much as I can.

Since you're in Memphis, I'd love to hear more about that part of the country as well. I'm planning a trip to the Knoxville and Bristol areas in mid-September to do some research on a potential move and to attend the NASCAR race at Bristol.

I'm really excited about the trip and about beginning my journey toward financial independence through real estate investing. In a lot of ways, this trip to Tennessee feels like the first real step toward making that goal a reality.

Hey Drew, that is awesome! Would love to chat about Memphis real estate. I will send you a message. Talk soon!
[email protected]662-642-1458
Jordan Ray - eXp Realty5110 Reviews
Website View Page
0 Reply

Ashish AcharyaBusiness Member

CPA, CFP®, PFS · FL · Member since 2017 · 5k+ posts · 3k+ votes

1mo

Drew, welcome to BiggerPockets. It sounds like you’ve already done a lot of the learning most people put off until after they buy, so you’re starting from a good place.

Since you're planning to move to Knoxville in the next 18–36 months, I'd spend this time getting familiar with the neighborhoods, rents, insurance costs, property taxes, and the types of homes that actually work for house hacking or a BRRRR. Building relationships with a few local agents, lenders, contractors, and property managers now will probably help more than rushing into a deal before you understand the market.

Getting your real estate license could be useful, especially if you genuinely want to learn the transaction side and plan to work with clients. I just wouldn't get it only for MLS access. There are ongoing fees, education requirements, brokerage obligations, and time commitments that may not pay off unless you plan to use the license regularly.

I’d also start learning the tax side before the first purchase. House hacking, BRRRRs, and long-term rentals can all be taxed differently, and good records from day one make a big difference when it comes to depreciation, repairs, improvements, and future refinancing.

If you end up buying a rental or completing a BRRRR, cost segregation is another strategy worth understanding. Depending on the property, depreciable basis, and your tax situation, a cost-seg study may identify components that can be depreciated faster and improve the early-year after-tax return. It is not automatically worthwhile on every property, but it is something I'd have your CPA evaluate once the property is placed in service.

You don’t need to have the full five-year plan figured out yet. Pick one strategy, learn one market, and build the right local relationships before trying to do everything at once.

Happy to connect!

[email protected]941-914-7779

INVESTOR FRIENDLY CPA®5241 Reviews

Website View Page

TaxMD™ | AI-Powered Tax Planning

Website View Page

0 Reply

New member from the Denver area

5 Replies