Networking and building relationship

Kansas City, Missouri
Investor Mindset
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Networking and building relationship

Lee TomlinsonPro Member
Member since 2026 · 1 post · 3 votes

Hi my name is Lee Tomlinson I am 25 years old working a full time job as well as doing side jobs with a goal of becoming a full time real estate investor! I recently bought my first home and I’m working toward building a rental portfolio. I’m looking to learn from experienced investors and find opportunities to partner on deals.

If you were 25 and starting over what would you do in the next 12 months?

I recently just bought my first primary residence and I’m looking forward to growing and learning!

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  • Milton ChamberlainPro Member
    Real Estate Agent · Kansas City, MO · Member since 2019 · 236 posts · 108 votes
    2mo

    Hi Lee! Congrats on being a homeowner! I personally think a great way to leverage financing into the highest ROI income producing REI asset is by taking advantage of owner occupant financing to buy a duplex (or larger multi up to 4 units) for minimum down payment (or even down payment grants/assistance) and more favorable terms/rates compared to investor financing.

    and take advantage of your age and invest in an 'A' market with comparatively high appreciation rates YOY (Platte County MO or Johnson county KS these have been most consistent lately, but there are great pockets all over the metro)...best time to plant a tree was 25 years ago, second best time is today!

    [email protected]573-356-1607
    0Reply
  • Jeff Roth
    Real Estate Consultant · Ann Arbor, MI · Member since 2022 · 474 posts · 261 votes
    2mo

    Hi Lee from Kansas City, Missouri-

    Congratulations! You are 25 years old and just bought your first primary residence. You work full time and side jobs with a goal to become a full time real estate investor. Well done and I see more and more young people seeing real estate investing as a path for their future.

    You are looking to learn and network and asked what to focus on in the next 12 months.

    Think about renting your current home if it cashflows as soon as you are able to pull some money out or have saved up to go buy your next primary residence with less down doing it that way. Duplexes or small multifamily up to 4-plexes are good properties to consider as you can live in one unit and rent the other units out. If you can find properties you can add-value to, it may allow you to force appreciation and increase rents over time.

    To Your Success!

    0Reply
  • Alex Olson
    Real Estate Broker · Kansas City Metro · Member since 2015 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    2mo

    KC is a great market. Lots of opportunity in single family homes and small multifamily.

    0Reply
  • Jimmy LieuBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Columbus, OH · Member since 2019 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    2mo
    Quote from @Lee Tomlinson:

    Hi my name is Lee Tomlinson I am 25 years old working a full time job as well as doing side jobs with a goal of becoming a full time real estate investor! I recently bought my first home and I’m working toward building a rental portfolio. I’m looking to learn from experienced investors and find opportunities to partner on deals.

    If you were 25 and starting over what would you do in the next 12 months?

    I recently just bought my first primary residence and I’m looking forward to growing and learning!

    Welcome to BiggerPockets, Lee! If I were 25 and starting over, I’d keep the full-time job for now and use the next 12 months to learn one investing strategy really well, build cash reserves, improve my credit and borrowing power, and analyze as many real deals as possible. Since you already bought a primary residence, I’d also look closely at whether you can house hack it by renting bedrooms or eventually converting it into a rental when you move. I’d focus less on trying to scale quickly and more on making the first couple of investments really solid. I’d also start building relationships with local investors, lenders, contractors, agents, and property managers before I actually need them. Your W-2 income can be a huge advantage early on for financing, so I wouldn’t be in a rush to leave it until the rental income and reserves make that decision comfortable. I started with a house hack myself, and that first property taught me more than months of studying ever did. Happy to connect and answer any questions you have!
    [email protected]614-300-7535
    Jimmy Lieu, Red 1 Realty4.9122 Reviews
    WebsiteView Page
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