Senior in college looking to get into real estate investing

Milwaukee, WI · Member since 2026 · 3 posts · 3 votes

Hello everyone,

I am in my last semester of college majoring in Finance. I currently have an internship until December when I graduate. I have been given the opportunity to discuss for a full-time position after graduation, but I feel like it's a place with limited growth potential. After I began listening to Bigger Pockets earlier this year, I have set a goal to get my first property by the end of 2027. I have 3k to my name and a small amount of student debt, so I am looking into government programs like WHEDA and FHA as options for financing my first deal. Before I get ahead of myself though, I want to know what other areas of real estate I should learn about first before I actually close on a property.

Do you guys have any suggestions on what I should learn?

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Jules Aton

MD/DC · Member since 2024 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes

Congratulations on your upcoming graduation! Take a breath, focus on getting a job that will improve your ability to secure a mortgage and save your money. Finance is an excellent career, you can add RE in on the side and consider going full time RE in the future if you want.

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Divin KanyamaBusiness Member
Accountant · Seattle, WA · Member since 2025 · 371 posts · 142 votes
1w
You are asking the right questions, @Teng VangHaving a target date gives you time to build a strong foundation rather than rushing into a purchase. Before focusing on a specific loan program, learn how to evaluate the full cost of ownership: principal and interest, property taxes, insurance, utilities, repairs, capital expenditures, vacancy, and—if applicable—property management. Practice analyzing real listings in your target market and estimating both the monthly cash flow and the cash you would need at closing and afterward.
It would also be helpful to understand how FHA, WHEDA, and other first-time-buyer programs treat down payments, closing costs, owner-occupancy requirements, property condition, mortgage insurance, and rental income. A good lender can explain the current rules, but learning the tradeoffs yourself will help you ask better questions. With $3,000 saved, the immediate priorities may be increasing income, protecting your credit, reducing high-cost debt, and building separate funds for closing and emergency reserves. Getting approved is not the same as being financially ready to own.
Other useful topics include inspections, major building systems, leases and landlord-tenant rules, insurance, taxes, bookkeeping, contractor management, and how to screen a neighborhood and property without relying on appreciation to make the deal work. House hacking can be worth studying because it may reduce housing costs while providing firsthand landlording experience, but it still needs to work with realistic expenses and reserves. Finally, do not overlook the career side of the plan: the best first move may be the position that gives you stable income, valuable skills, and room to save—even if it is not your forever job. Use the next year or two to strengthen your finances, analyze many deals, meet local lenders and investors, and define clear buying criteria. That preparation will matter more than simply reaching the goal by a particular date.
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- Teng VangPro Member
  OP
  Milwaukee, WI · Member since 2026 · 3 posts · 3 votes
  1w
  Thank you for the detailed advice, I really do appreciate it. I'll shift my focus towards understanding the full cost of ownership before diving deeper into the financing and other aspects of owning a property. Thanks again for taking the time to share your guidance.
  1 Reply
Jules Aton
MD/DC · Member since 2024 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
1w
Congratulations on your upcoming graduation! Take a breath, focus on getting a job that will improve your ability to secure a mortgage and save your money. Finance is an excellent career, you can add RE in on the side and consider going full time RE in the future if you want.
2 Reply
- Teng VangPro Member
  OP
  Milwaukee, WI · Member since 2026 · 3 posts · 3 votes
  1w
  Thank you for the advice. Regarding my financials, I am projecting to be debt by early 2027. As for my career, I would like to get a role that directly works with real estate, possibly as an assistant property manager if the opportunity arises.
  0 Reply
Ashish AcharyaBusiness Member
CPA, CFP®, PFS · FL · Member since 2017 · 5k+ posts · 3k+ votes
1w
Teng, you're actually in a great position to learn before you buy. I'd take advantage of that time rather than feeling like you need to get into a property as quickly as possible. Beyond financing, I'd spend time learning how to actually underwrite a property. Understand rent, vacancy, taxes, insurance, maintenance, CapEx, financing, cash flow, DSCR, and cash-on-cash return. Once you can look at a listing and quickly figure out whether the numbers work, you'll be much more prepared when the right opportunity comes along.
I’d also learn the basics of property management, leases and tenant screening, rehab costs, local market research, and the tax side of owning rentals. You don’t need to become an expert in every area, but you should know enough to ask good questions and recognize when you need a professional. And don’t underestimate the value of your finance background. Understanding how debt, leverage, returns, and risk interact will translate very well into real estate.
You have plenty of time to build the knowledge and relationships before your first purchase. Feel free to DM me, I’d be happy to send over a few resources and our rental analyzer that you can use to practice evaluating deals.
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Brad SeidBusiness Member
Lender · Licensed in 28 States · Member since 2026 · 161 posts · 46 votes
1w
@Teng Vang Welcome! You're already thinking about the right things by learning the financing side early. FHA and programs like WHEDA can be worth exploring depending on your situation. If you'd like, feel free to reach out and I can help you look at potential lending options and what you may need to prepare for your first deal.
[email protected]248-408-3855
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Diana KhanPro Member
Attorney · 10451 Mill Run Cir #755 Owings Mills, MD 21117 · Member since 2024 · 483 posts · 177 votes
1w
Quote from @Teng Vang:
Hello everyone,
I am in my last semester of college majoring in Finance. I currently have an internship until December when I graduate. I have been given the opportunity to discuss for a full-time position after graduation, but I feel like it's a place with limited growth potential. After I began listening to Bigger Pockets earlier this year, I have set a goal to get my first property by the end of 2027. I have 3k to my name and a small amount of student debt, so I am looking into government programs like WHEDA and FHA as options for financing my first deal. Before I get ahead of myself though, I want to know what other areas of real estate I should learn about first before I actually close on a property.
Do you guys have any suggestions on what I should learn?
@Teng Vang, since you already have a finance background, I’d add the legal and transaction side of real estate to your list. Learn what happens from the time an offer is made through closing, including the contract, inspections, title, and what you are actually agreeing to when you sign. If you plan to own rentals, I’d also spend some time learning the basics of leases and landlord responsibilities in your area.
I’ve worked with newer investors who understood the numbers very well but were surprised by how many other issues can come up during a purchase or once tenants are involved. You don’t need to know everything yourself, but knowing what to look for and when to bring in the right professional can save you a lot of trouble.
I also saw your comment about possibly working as an assistant property manager. I think getting hands on exposure to how rental properties operate could teach you a lot while you’re preparing for your own first purchase. I’m a real estate attorney and investor, so this is an area I work around regularly. Happy to stay connected as you work toward your goal.
[email protected]240-266-0291
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Ashley RigsbeePro Member
Customer Success & Onboarding Specialist at BiggerPockets · Charlotte, NC · Member since 2023 · 85 posts · 33 votes
3d
Welcome, Teng! A finance degree gives you a real head start on underwriting. Since you're eyeing WHEDA and FHA, I'd talk to a WHEDA approved lender early so you know what they require, and start analyzing local listings now. A house hack is worth studying if you're comfortable living on site. A 2027 target is very doable if you start building the habit now
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Wale LawalBusiness Member
Real Estate Broker · Houston | Dallas | Austin, TX · Member since 2018 · 5k+ posts · 2k+ votes
2d
@Teng Vang
In fact, you’ve already come in at just the right time, and with that deadline of December 2027 you still have lots of leeway to educate yourself without making any commitments. You should really concentrate on working through property analysis, financing, taxation, insurance, repairs, and cash flow, while saving money and boosting your credit score you will know a lot more when you want to purchase a home.
Good luck!
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