Schooling and Learning

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Schooling and Learning

AJ LongoPro Member
Member since 2025 · 9 posts · 18 votes

Hey everyone, I am fascinated with real estate investing. I want to get started, I am always looking at houses and finding deals and things in my price range, but I always feel like I have less knowledge than I would like. This is what really feels like its holding me back. I am a very hands on learner as well. I was considering real estate investing classes I found online, I was looking online and there seem to be a few that look reliable. What are some thoughts are actual classes and lessons like this worth it??Has anyone done it??

3 votes total

Worth it!!
Waste of time!!
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Aaron Collins
Real Estate Agent · Salt Lake City, UT · Member since 2024 · 4 posts · 5 votes
1mo

Starting your investment journey can be the biggest hurrdle. Personally I always recommend doing live in flips or house hacking if possible for your first one investment. It reduces the risk while still allowing you to learn. Honestly you will never feel like you know enough to start. There is a level of hands on learning that needs to happen. As far and finding a deal it seems like you got that covered, just back it up with the calculators on BP and maybe find someone to check your work. Be conservative when underwriting. Good luck and Godspeed!

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  • Aaron Collins
    Real Estate Agent · Salt Lake City, UT · Member since 2024 · 4 posts · 5 votes
    1mo

    Starting your investment journey can be the biggest hurrdle. Personally I always recommend doing live in flips or house hacking if possible for your first one investment. It reduces the risk while still allowing you to learn. Honestly you will never feel like you know enough to start. There is a level of hands on learning that needs to happen. As far and finding a deal it seems like you got that covered, just back it up with the calculators on BP and maybe find someone to check your work. Be conservative when underwriting. Good luck and Godspeed!

    3Reply
    • AJ LongoPro Member
      OP
      Member since 2025 · 9 posts · 18 votes
      3w

      Thank you Aaron, the insight is appreciated and a boost of confidence! My mind and research keeps bringing me back to the hacking side of things so I'm really gearing up to go that route!

      0Reply
  • Terrance Brewer
    Real Estate Agent · Long Branch, NJ · Member since 2024 · 7 posts · 5 votes
    3w

    Hey AJ, its TJ. I agree with Aaron that you'll probably never feel like you know enough to start investing from classes and books alone. As scary as it can be, the best way to learn how to do anything is by doing the thing itself. Think of a tradesman - they don't start their careers with the ability to do every job perfectly. A lot of them learn through repetition and repetition alone.

    That being said, it doesn't make things any less scary. A few things you can do to mitigate a bit of the risk you might be feeling are read some books on RE investing (BRRRR Method, Multifamily Millionaire, etc) and surround yourself with a solid team of people that have experience in real estate (agents, lenders, attorneys etc). While I think it is important to be educated and not jump into something like RE investing with nothing but blind faith, analysis paralysis can be far more damaging than making a mistake and learning from it.

    If you want to bounce ideas off of me, feel free to message me anytime. I'm an agent in Monmouth County, NJ that works with investors and I'd be more than happy to help where I can!

    1Reply
  • Shawn McenteerBusiness Member
    Realtor · Boonton Township, NJ · Member since 2013 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    3w

    Unless the class is very specific to your market I would suggest networking locally over online classes. If you listen to the majority of people on biggerpockets they would lead you to believe a place like New Jersey is a horrible place to invest with bad laws, high cost of entry and no cash flow. I will let you know; I have been investing in NJ for over a decade, cash flowing, zero evictions, never missed a single month of rent, huge appreciations, and have purchased majority of my properties with low money down loans. Most investing classes will give over view that does not compare to what works in different local markets.

    973-975-3895
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    • AJ LongoPro Member
      OP
      Member since 2025 · 9 posts · 18 votes
      3w

      Thank you Shawn, yes that is the worst part about getting started. Everywhere I look NJ is "A terrible investment" but in my current position it would be the best place for me to get started. So when I find something and run numbers and it seems like a good deal I question the heck out of it because according to the "internet" it shouldn't exist lmaoo. Thank you for the input and first hand knowledge I really appreciate it!

      0Reply
  • Danielle DalyPro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Denver, CO · Member since 2021 · 54 posts · 77 votes
    3w

    Hey AJ - I can definitely relate to feeling like you need to know more before getting started! I think education is incredibly valuable, but I’d be cautious about spending a ton of money on courses since there’s so much great information available for free or relatively cheap.

    For me, house hacking was how I got started, and I learned a ton simply by going through the process. I’d focus on learning the fundamentals: how to analyze a deal, financing, cash flow, expenses, etc., and then start looking at real deals in your market and running the numbers.

    BiggerPockets has a ton of free resources from books, podcasts, and forums that can help with that. I started with a few books, the BiggerPockets podcast, and attending meetups and felt like that was sufficient enough to get started and continue learning by doing. Since you’re a hands-on learner, I’d definitley recommend connecting with local investors or finding a mentor who’s actually doing what you want to do. At some point, you’ll learn more from taking action than you will from taking another class. Good luck, and hope this is helpful!!

    [email protected]Podcast Guest on Show From 70 Hour/Week Burnout to Getting Paid to Buy Properties
    1Reply
    • AJ LongoPro Member
      OP
      Member since 2025 · 9 posts · 18 votes
      3w

      Wow, thank you Danielle! Yea my goal is to start with house hacking it seems like its the best way for me to learn hands on. I am trying to really hit the books and resources on the fundamentals right now. Iv picked three markets to focus on now I'm moving toward looking into neighborhood specific houses. Thanks for the advice it's really appreciated!

      0Reply
  • Arman AhmedPro Member
    Real Estate Agent · Columbus Cleveland Dayton, OH · Member since 2024 · 2k+ posts · 961 votes
    3w
    Quote from @AJ Longo:

    Hey everyone, I am fascinated with real estate investing. I want to get started, I am always looking at houses and finding deals and things in my price range, but I always feel like I have less knowledge than I would like. This is what really feels like its holding me back. I am a very hands on learner as well. I was considering real estate investing classes I found online, I was looking online and there seem to be a few that look reliable. What are some thoughts are actual classes and lessons like this worth it??Has anyone done it??

    I’d spend less on courses and more time analyzing real deals and talking to investors who are actually buying. The best way to learn anything is by doing the thing itself. You learn through repetition, and repetition is what builds confidence. Don’t feel like you have to invest in NJ either. If you’re open to out-of-state, the Midwest is worth putting on your radar.

    [email protected]614-418-6081
    2Reply
    • AJ LongoPro Member
      OP
      Member since 2025 · 9 posts · 18 votes
      3w

      Thank you for the advice Arman, I only considered the out of state investing for a short time. We just started a family here not to long ago so I thought it might be hard for me to travel right now, and having trust and confidence in someone else to handle my investing when I am a newbie myself seems even more paralyzing hahah. Any insight to out of state investing? Do you think you have to still make the trips and be present, or leave it in some local hands you trust in that area?

      0Reply
  • Travis Goodwin
    Wholesaler · Charleston WV · Member since 2026 · 246 posts · 137 votes
    3w

    Hey AJ, good to see you here! I’m a hands-on learner, so I’ve found it helps to combine books, YouTube videos, and classes with time around people who are actively doing deals. The right online communities are great places to learn and ask questions. Get in those rooms, build relationships, and put what you’re learning into practice.

    0Reply
  • Doug SmithPro Member
    Lender · Tampa, FL · Member since 2013 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    3w

    I had been a lender for 15 years before I did my first flip. I had a partner that had done it before and a really good GC. That being said, I learned a great deal on my first 8-10 flips...and made a lot of mistakes. Regarding real estate classes, here is what I can tell you...most of the educators do not have the background to be educators. Do yourself a favor and go to LinkedIn and pull up their resume. Look for someone that has a long-time track record of doing what you seek to learn. Bonus points for someone that was doing in through 2006-2008 and super bonus points for someone that had to manage through 1998-1999. Lots of educators have never had to manage through a downturn and even more are much better marketers than real estate investors. Don't just pay attention to their marketing prowess. Look for a teacher or partner that has actually done it for some time. I wish you well in your journey.

    0Reply
  • Dan NelsonBusiness Member
    Real Estate Broker · Chicago and Kansas City · Member since 2016 · 102 posts · 93 votes
    3w

    AJ, I will give you the answer I wish someone gave me 20 years ago: the feeling of not knowing enough never fully goes away. I have been buying rentals and flipping properties for 20+ years and I still learn something on every deal. So do not wait for the feeling to leave before you start. It leaves after you start.

    Can a class help? Sure, some are solid. But you said the magic words: you are a hands on learner. For you, the best classroom is free and it is open every Sunday. Go to open houses. Stand inside the houses you are already finding online. See what the photos hide. Ask the agent hosting it why the seller is moving. Ten open houses will teach you more than ten modules.

    Second free teacher: the math. Take the deals you are finding in your price range and run the numbers on paper. Real rents for that block, taxes, insurance, plus a monthly set aside for repairs and empty weeks. I use 5% of rent for vacancy, 5% for big future repairs, 3% for small stuff. Run twenty deals and you will start seeing the good one in minutes. That skill is the whole game, and no one can sell it to you. You build it by reps.

    Third: this forum, the books, and the podcasts cover almost everything a paid course covers. If a class keeps you moving, take it. Just do not let buying a class become the thing you do instead of walking a building. Knowledge feels like the thing holding you back. Usually it is just fear wearing a costume. Reps fix both.

    [email protected]773-295-1751Podcast Guest on Show 2 “Slam Dunk” Small Multifamily Deals in 2023 (and Where to Find Them)
    Dan Loves Houses4.980 Reviews
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  • Akbar Ali
    Member since 2026 · 1 post · 0 votes
    2w

    You're asking the right questions, AJ. From my own study experience, formal classes are only worth it if they're specific to what you actually need; otherwise you can easily spend money on material you'll never apply. What really pays off is building a habit of structured, consistent learning — work through the free material first, take notes, and test yourself before paying for anything expensive.

    I also think it's worth remembering that good education habits carry over between fields. For anyone here looking for general education resources and study material, https://12classresults.com/ has been a useful reference in my experience.

    Whatever route you pick, stay consistent and keep learning from real examples — that matters more than the certificate at the end.

    — Alina Afzal

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