All Forum Posts by: Wale Lawal

@Frank Martinez

You're in a great spot to start—$14K saved, two W2 incomes, and a motivated partner. Flipping in NJ can be tough with high entry costs, so consider house hacking a small multi-family as a lower-risk entry point. If you're eyeing out-of-state deals, start by building a trusted team (agent, property manager, contractor) through referrals and investor forums before buying. Partnerships are great—just make sure everything is in writing and expectations are clear from day one.

Good luck!

@Robert Fish

Great to have you getting started! For your first multi-family, house hacking is a smart move—living in one unit helps reduce risk. Ideally, find a deal with some cash flow and long-term appreciation potential, but if you have to choose, positive cash flow should come first to keep you financially stable. Focus on properties that break even or better with conservative estimates. And if you're looking to switch careers, consider roles like leasing agent, property manager assistant, or real estate analyst—they’ll build your network and investment knowledge fast.

Good luck!

@Christopher Carrese Gougeon

Great question—many investors successfully manage long-distance properties with the right systems. To find tenants remotely, you can use platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Zumper, or Rentals.ca, and hire a local agent for tenant placement (often a one-time fee around half a month’s rent). For maintenance, build a list of reliable local handymen or contractors you can call as needed. If cash flow is tight, consider self-managing with digital tools (like Avail or Hemlane) until you can scale enough to afford a property manager.

Good luck!

@Ashley Meilunas

Great question! For beginners, house hacking or buy-and-hold rentals typically offer the best balance of low risk and steady profit—especially if you live in one unit and rent the others. Fix-and-flips can be profitable but come with higher risk due to renovation surprises and market timing. Wholesaling requires less capital but demands hustle, marketing, and strong negotiation skills. Start with a strategy that fits your budget, time, and risk tolerance—rentals are often the best first step for building long-term wealth.

Good luck!

@Ofir Anidjar

Thanks for sharing your story—your resilience is inspiring. Given your recent bankruptcy and short W2 history, traditional financing will be tough for now, but there are creative routes. Consider partnering with an investor who brings capital while you bring the experience and sweat equity—especially for room-by-room arbitrage. Seller financing or lease options may also be viable if you find a motivated landlord. Focus on one high-yield property, document your income, and rebuild credibility—then scale smartly from there.

Good luck!

@Brendan Kinsella

Great to see you're diving into REI with a solid mindset. Since you're still saving, keep sharpening your deal analysis skills and networking in the markets you're targeting—Cincinnati and Cleveland are great for BRRRR with lower entry points. Consider connecting with local agents or wholesalers there to build your team early. When you're ready, start small with a solid cash-flowing single-family or duplex to get momentum and confidence.

Good luck!

@John Thibodeaux

You're off to a great start—leveraging sweat equity, getting that first rental done, and building momentum. Now, to grow without much capital, consider a cash-out refinance based on the new appraised value to pull out some equity for your next deal. Also, look into partnering with a capital investor—your ability to renovate is valuable, and many people with funds are looking for someone like you to team up with. Start networking locally at REI meetups or online forums and explore seller financing or sub-to deals to acquire properties creatively with little money down.

Good luck!

@Amir German

House hacking with an FHA loan is a smart move, especially in high-priced markets—low down payment, flexible credit requirements, and you can live in one unit while renting the others. Just make sure the property is 1–4 units and you plan to occupy it for at least a year. Focus on running the numbers carefully so the rental income covers most or all of the mortgage. You're on the right path—keep learning and stay deal-ready.

Good luck!

@Carlos Davila

You're in a great position with solid savings, credit, and a clear vision. In DFW—especially Fort Worth and Arlington—single-family homes in working-class neighborhoods still offer decent cash flow, and you can stack wins with live-in flips, house hacks, or BRRRR deals. Focus on building a strong team: start by networking at local REI meetups (like InvestHer or DFW REI Club) to find investor-friendly agents and lenders. For tools, get comfortable with BiggerPockets calculators, MLS alerts, and DealCheck. Start small, move fast on good deals, and let your momentum compound.

Good luck!

@Drew Cope

You're doing all the right things, Drew—educating yourself, getting pre-approved, and building a strong team. In a hot market like DFW, flexibility is key. If 2–4 units are scarce or overpriced, pivoting to a single-family home you can live in, add value to, and later rent out is a smart move—especially with your “live-in flip” mindset. Many local investors have succeeded starting with live-in flips or STRs in high-demand suburbs, then rolling equity into multifamily later. Stay aggressive with offers, explore off-market leads, and remember—your first deal doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to get you in the game.

Good luck!