I think I'm ready to buy my first property. Seasoned advice please

I think I’m finally ready to buy my first investment property.

I’ve been working with a lender who is very familiar with working with real estate investors, and he also works with a few agents who regularly help other investors. I’m thinking it would make sense to reach out to one of those agents and have them help me start looking for properties in the areas I’m interested in investing.

My wife is definitely nervous about this whole adventure 😂, but she understands my goals and has given me the green light to go for it. So now I’m trying to make sure I approach this the right way and learn as much as I can before pulling the trigger.

For those of you who are smaller investors and self-manage your properties, I’d love to hear what you use for the day-to-day management side of things.

Specifically:

• What apps or software do you use to screen tenants?

• How do you handle rent collection?

• How do you handle work orders and maintenance requests?

• Do you use one platform that handles most of this, or a combination of different apps?

• What do you wish you had known before buying your first property?

I’m also very open to sitting down with someone who has been through this process and is willing to share some knowledge. I’m not looking for someone to hold my hand, but I’d definitely appreciate learning from someone who has already made the mistakes and figured out what works. If anyone in the area is willing to grab a coffee or sit down and talk real estate, I’d be happy to listen and learn.

I’m not looking to build some huge portfolio overnight. I’d rather start with one good property, learn the process, and build from there.

Would love to hear what other small investors are using and what has worked (or hasn’t worked) for you.