All Forum Posts by: Wale Lawal

@Bedford Loyaly

Welcome to BP! It’s great to hear you’re ready to take control of your time and future through real estate. Starting as a correctional officer shows you have discipline, and that will serve you well in this business. The key now is surrounding yourself with the right mentors and building a plan that works for your goals—whether that’s house hacking, buy-and-hold, or wholesaling. DM me and I will point you in the right direction with local contacts and next steps to help launch your journey in Houston real estate.

Good luck!

@Michael Maalouli

That’s a common challenge for out-of-state investors—finding a reliable, investor-savvy team on the ground makes all the difference. Many agents aren’t used to working with out-of-state buyers or don’t understand the long-term relationship needed for investing. You’ll want to connect with agents, property managers, and contractors who specialize in working with investors and actually want to build a partnership. DM me and I will point you in the right direction with trusted professionals in Houston who know the game and are serious about helping out-of-state investors succeed.

Good luck!

Absolutely! You're thinking along the right lines—focus on cash flow first, but don't compromise too heavily on location. Buying in a solid area with long-term upside, even if it means smaller cash flow at first, can pay off. As for real estate roles: leasing agent or PM assistant positions are great entry points to learn tenant management, leasing laws, and local market trends firsthand. Analyst roles are more data-heavy but teach you how to underwrite deals—super valuable if you want to scale your investing later.

Good luck!

@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!