All Forum Posts by: Micah White

Welcome! That’s awesome you’re both looking into real estate together — having a partner on the same page makes a huge difference.

From my experience, the key early on is getting clear on your goals and learning how to analyze deals with confidence. I’ve worked with a few new investors at that stage, and having a framework to follow really helps avoid costly mistakes and gets you moving faster.

Happy to share some insights or connect if you’d like!

Hey Jacob, welcome! Sounds like you’re starting with the right foundation — house hacking is a great first step, and duplexes can be a solid way to scale steadily over time.

What you’re describing is exactly where a lot of investors begin, and having someone to guide you early really helps shorten the learning curve and avoid mistakes. I’ve worked with newer investors on setting up their first house hack and building a clear plan for the next few properties, and it makes the process much smoother.

Happy to share some insights or connect if you’d like!

Hey, welcome! That’s awesome you’re already planning ahead — having a clear timeline for your first rental makes a huge difference.

You’re doing the right things with books and podcasts, but one thing I wish I knew earlier is that theory only gets you so far. At some point, having a framework to analyze deals and run the numbers with confidence is what moves you from “studying” to actually closing.

I’ve helped a few newer investors build that framework while they’re still in the research phase, and it really accelerates the learning curve. Happy to share some insights or connect if you’d like!

Hey, welcome! Your background in commercial interior design could actually give you an edge — you’ll have a good eye for properties with potential.

For getting started, the biggest thing I’ve seen help new investors is building a system for evaluating deals quickly and knowing where to focus your energy. It makes the learning curve much shorter and avoids wasted time on properties that aren’t a fit.

I’ve helped a few new investors get that system in place when they’re starting out, and it’s amazing how much faster it gets you moving confidently. Happy to share more insights or connect if you want!

Hey Maurice, welcome to BiggerPockets! Springfield is a great area to start exploring local opportunities.

When I first started, connecting with other investors in your market made a huge difference — you learn faster, spot deals earlier, and avoid rookie mistakes. I’ve worked with a few new investors helping them get a clear plan and focus on the right opportunities, and it makes the learning curve much shorter. Happy to share some tips or connect if you want!

Hey Mike, welcome! I totally get the feeling — when you start diving into all the strategies out there, it can feel almost too good to be true.

From my experience, the best way to get started is small and local, like you mentioned, and to focus on learning the key fundamentals first — cash flow, deal analysis, and understanding the numbers behind any property. Having someone who’s been through it before really helps cut through the noise and avoid mistakes that cost time and money.

I’ve guided a few newer investors through that exact process, and it’s amazing how much clarity it gives when you have a framework to evaluate deals and decide your next steps. Happy to share a bit about how I help them if you want to chat!

Welcome! You’re asking all the right questions — deal-finding and knowing what to focus on during a purchase really make a difference for new investors.

One thing I’ve noticed with beginners is that having a system for quickly evaluating deals and knowing where to spend your time is what separates those who move fast from those who get stuck. I’ve worked with a few new investors helping them figure out that system, and it’s amazing how much confidence it gives when analyzing properties.

Happy to share more tips or my approach if you want — it’s always easier when someone has gone through it before.

Hey Alex, welcome to BiggerPockets! Sounds like you’re starting with a solid mindset — learning first and connecting with experienced investors will pay off big.

House hacking is a great way to get your feet wet and start building equity, and diving into multifamily later can really accelerate your wealth-building journey. I’ve found that having a clear plan for your first property makes a huge difference, even if it’s smaller than what you eventually want to scale to.

If you ever want to compare notes on deal analysis or financing strategies, happy to connect!

Welcome, Natalka! Great to have you here. Being a realtor gives you a big advantage — you’ll see deals and market shifts before most investors. Definitely start asking those questions — the community is a great place to get feedback from people who’ve been where you’re trying to go.

Looking forward to seeing your journey and happy to connect anytime!

Welcome to BiggerPockets! Great question — a lot of investors start out by turning their primary into a rental.

A couple of things to think about:

• Numbers first: Run the math on your current home as a rental. What would market rent be, and after factoring in PITI, vacancy, maintenance, and management, does it actually cash flow? If it's tight or negative, it may not be the best rental candidate.

• Equity: If you've built up a lot of equity, selling (or even a cash-out refi/HELOC) could free up capital to buy a property that performs better as a rental — like a small multi where you're spreading risk across more units.

• Lifestyle: Downgrading your primary can be powerful if you’re serious about growing your portfolio. I know a lot of investors (myself included) who’ve lived below their means to scale faster.

There’s no “one size fits all” answer, but if your current home won’t cash flow well, I’d lean toward selling and redeploying that equity into properties that are purpose-built for rentals. If it does cash flow, you can always keep it as a rental and still save toward a multi.