All Forum Posts by: Melissa Justice

Hey @Michael Dallas,

That's wonderful that you already own an REI property right out of college! I am very impressed!

Real estate investing can be a great idea for several reasons:

1. Potential for Appreciation: Over time, properties often increase in value, allowing investors to build wealth through appreciation.
2. Passive Income: Rental properties can provide a steady stream of passive income, helping to cover expenses and generate cash flow.
3. Tax Benefits: Real estate investors may benefit from various tax deductions, such as mortgage interest, property taxes, and depreciation.
4. Inflation Hedge: Real estate tends to keep pace with or outpace inflation, making it a good hedge against rising costs.
5. Leverage Opportunities: Investors can use financing to purchase properties, allowing them to control larger assets with less capital upfront.
6. Portfolio Diversification: Real estate adds diversification to an investment portfolio, potentially reducing overall risk.
7. Tangible Asset: Unlike stocks or bonds, real estate is a physical asset that you can see and manage, providing a sense of security.
8. Control Over Investment: Investors can influence property value and income through renovations, management decisions, and property improvements.
9. Building Equity: As you pay down a mortgage, you build equity in the property, which can be accessed later through refinancing or selling.
10. Community Impact: Investing in real estate can contribute to community development and improvement, positively impacting neighborhoods.

These factors make real estate investing an appealing option for many people looking to grow their wealth and secure their financial future.

It really comes down to investing in a growing market, in a good neighborhood & building a great team to support you. It can be a lot of time and work if doing it on your own. It's helpful to work with a reputable team. That is what our team at Rent to Retirement has been helping investors to do for a decade now with BP. I'm happy to answer any questions you have about analyzing markets or getting started. Most importantly, choose a market that aligns with your goals!

Wishing you the best of success!

Melissa Johnsen

Rent to Retirement Investment Strategist

Welcome @Rebecca Morris,

These are the 10 first steps I would recommend to get started in REI (real estate investing):

1. 1) Educate Yourself: Read books, take online courses, and attend seminars about real estate basics, market trends, and investment strategies.
2. 2) Set Clear Goals: Define what you want to achieve in real estate—whether it’s buying a home, investing in rental properties, or flipping houses.
3. 3) Choose Your Niche: Decide if you want to focus on residential, commercial, or industrial real estate, or perhaps a mix of these.
4. 4) Research the Market: Analyze your local real estate market. Look at property values, trends, and neighborhoods to identify opportunities.
5. 5) Create a Budget: Determine how much you can invest, considering all associated costs like down payments, closing costs, and maintenance.
6. 6) Build a Network: Connect with real estate agents, investors, lenders, and other professionals. Networking can provide valuable insights and opportunities.
7. 7) Get Pre-Approved for Financing: If you plan to buy property, secure financing by getting pre-approved for a mortgage or exploring other funding options.
8. 8) Start Small: Consider beginning with a smaller property or investment, such as a single-family home or a small multi-family unit, to minimize risk.
9. 9) Conduct Due Diligence: When you find a property of interest, perform thorough inspections, research the title, and assess potential for appreciation and cash flow.
10. 10) Take Action: Once you're ready, make an offer and start your real estate journey. Be prepared to learn and adapt as you go!

It really comes down to investing in a growing market, in a good neighborhood & building a great team to support you. It can be a lot of time and work if doing it on your own. Most importantly, choose a market that aligns with your goals!

Wishing you the best of success!

Melissa Johnsen

@James Kiefer

There are many REI opportunities in different markets - markets in the Midwest and Southeast of the country are great - where not only are the purchase prices reasonable for most RE investors, but the homes are turnkey (new builds or completely rehabbed homes, tenant ready, systems 10 years of life remaining on them, property management teams in place) with appreciating home value AND appreciating rent. The amount of cash flow on a home will of course be contingent on the down payment. Putting less down may subsequently put you in a break-even scenario or possibly even a negative cash flow. However, some investors don't mind this strategy if they prefer not to put a lot of liquid in up front and plan to refi out within a few years of closing (which seems to be a great option with the talks of the FED reducing interest rates into 2025).

It really comes down to investing in a growing market, in a good neighborhood & building a great team to support you. It can be a lot of time and work if doing it on your own. It's helpful to work with a reputable team. That is what our team at Rent to Retirement has been helping investors to do for a decade now with BP. I'm happy to answer any questions you have about analyzing markets or getting started. Most importantly, choose a market that aligns with your goals!

Wishing you the best of success!

Melissa

@Rafael Ramos

Welcome to the wild world of REI! It's a trip for sure :-)

There are many REI opportunities in different markets - markets in the Midwest and Southeast of the country are great - where not only are the purchase prices reasonable for most RE investors, but the homes are turnkey (new builds or completely rehabbed homes, tenant ready, systems 10 years of life remaining on them, property management teams in place) with appreciating home value AND appreciating rent. The amount of cash flow on a home will of course be contingent on the down payment. Putting less down may subsequently put you in a break-even scenario or possibly even a negative cash flow. However, some investors don't mind this strategy if they prefer not to put a lot of liquid in up front and plan to refi out within a few years of closing (which seems to be a great option with the talks of the FED reducing interest rates into 2025).

It really comes down to investing in a growing market, in a good neighborhood & building a great team to support you. It can be a lot of time and work if doing it on your own. It's helpful to work with a reputable team. That is what our team at Rent to Retirement has been helping investors to do for a decade now with BP. I'm happy to answer any questions you have about analyzing markets or getting started. Most importantly, choose a market that aligns with your goals!

Wishing you the best of success!

Melissa

@Teddy Mao

There are many REI opportunities in different markets - markets in the Midwest and Southeast of the country are really great - where not only are the purchase prices reasonable for most RE investors, but the homes are turnkey (new builds or completely rehabbed homes, tenant ready, systems 10 years of life remaining on them, property management teams in place) with appreciating home value AND appreciating rent. The amount of cash flow on a home will of course be contingent on the down payment. Putting less down may subsequently put you in a break-even scenario or possibly even a negative cash flow. However, some investors don't mind this strategy if they prefer not to put a lot of liquid in up front and plan to refi out within a few years of closing (which seems to be a great option with the talks of the FED reducing interest rates into 2025).

It really comes down to investing in a growing market, in a good neighborhood & building a great team to support you. It can be a lot of time and work if doing it on your own. It's helpful to work with a reputable team. That is what our team at Rent to Retirement has been helping investors to do for a decade now with BP. I'm happy to answer any questions you have about analyzing markets or getting started. Most importantly, choose a market that aligns with your goals!

Wishing you the best of success!

Melissa

@Sean Kirk

There are turnkey REI opportunities in different markets - markets in the Midwest and Southeast of the country are great - where not only are the purchase prices reasonable for most RE investors, but the homes are turnkey (new builds or completely rehabbed homes, tenant ready, systems 10 years of life remaining on them, property management teams in place) with appreciating home value AND appreciating rent. The amount of cash flow on a home will of course be contingent on the down payment. Putting less down may subsequently put you in a break-even scenario or possibly even a negative cash flow. However, some investors don't mind this strategy if they prefer not to put a lot of liquid in up front and plan to refi out within a few years of closing (which seems to be a great option with the talks of the FED reducing interest rates into 2025).


It really comes down to investing in a growing market, in a good neighborhood & building a great team to support you. It can be a lot of time and work if doing it on your own. It's helpful to work with a reputable team. That is what our team at Rent to Retirement has been helping investors to do for a decade now with BP. I'm happy to answer any questions you have about analyzing markets or getting started. Most importantly, choose a market that aligns with your goals!

Wishing you the best of success!

Melissa

Hello @Shelby McKean

There are REI opportunities in different markets - markets in the Midwest and Southeast of the country are great - where not only are the purchase prices reasonable for most RE investors, but the homes are turnkey (new builds or completely rehabbed homes, tenant ready, systems 10 years of life remaining on them, property management teams in place) with appreciating home value AND appreciating rent. The amount of cash flow on a home will of course be contingent on the down payment. Putting less down may subsequently put you in a break-even scenario or possibly even a negative cash flow. However, some investors don't mind this strategy if they prefer not to put a lot of liquid in up front and plan to refi out within a few years of closing (which seems to be a great option with the talks of the FED reducing interest rates into 2025).

It really comes down to investing in a growing market, in a good neighborhood & building a great team to support you. It can be a lot of time and work if doing it on your own. It's helpful to work with a reputable team. That is what our team at Rent to Retirement has been helping investors to do for a decade now with BP. I'm happy to answer any questions you have about analyzing markets or getting started. Most importantly, choose a market that aligns with your goals!

Wishing you the best of success!

Melissa