All Forum Posts by: Ryan Zielinski

Hey BP Community!

I’m Ryan Zielinski, based in the Capital Region of Upstate New York. I’m excited to finally jump in here after lurking for a bit and soaking up the value this community shares.

By day, I’m an insurance advisor helping real estate investors, flippers, landlords, and contractors make sure their properties and businesses are properly protected without overpaying. I always aim to bring more than just a quote to the table—whether that’s strategic advice, local connections, or just being someone reliable in your corner.

Outside of insurance, I’m diving into the investment world myself, especially small-to-mid-sized multifamily. I hit pause on my personal search recently, but I’m still learning, networking, and preparing for the right opportunity.

Looking forward to connecting with fellow investors, learning from your journeys, and contributing however I can. If I can help in any way—whether with insurance questions or local market insight—don’t hesitate to reach out!

Thanks for the warm welcome in advance!

— Ryan

This is an awesome breakdown, Melanie. I appreciate you laying it out so clearly.

As someone who works closely with real estate investors on the insurance and risk side, I see firsthand how powerful these tax strategies can be when paired with smart planning. Cost segregation and bonus depreciation are real game-changers—not just for the big players, but even for small-to-mid-size multifamily owners who want to accelerate their returns.

Also agree 100% that RE Professional status is where the magic really happens. Once that box is checked, the ability to offset other income opens the door to some serious wealth-building.

Love seeing conversations like this—this kind of planning is what separates investors who own real estate from those who truly leverage it.

Happy to connect if anyone wants to bounce ideas around on how this ties into overall strategy (insurance, asset protection, etc.).

You Found the One—Now What? Protecting Your Investment the Smart Way

You've found the one. Maybe it's the perfect house hack—live in one unit, rent the others—or the ideal BRRRR deal that just needs a little love before it starts printing cash flow. The numbers are tight (because they always are), and you're already thinking about renovations, refinancing, and scaling up.

But there’s one piece that too many investors overlook until it’s too late: insurance.

As an insurance broker who works with real estate investors, I get it—you want to keep expenses low to maximize your ROI. But this isn't the place to cut corners. Cheap coverage might save a few bucks upfront, but it often leads to huge headaches down the road when something actually goes wrong.

A little background on me—I grew up around this stuff. My dad was a builder, so I spent countless summers helping on job sites, swinging hammers, cleaning up, and learning the tricks of the trade. At the time, I just wanted to go play with my friends or enjoy summer like a “normal” kid (whatever that means!), but looking back, those experiences taught me a ton.

That time gave me insight and respect for what goes into property projects—whether you’re DIY’ing a kitchen remodel or hiring out a full rehab. I understand how much time, effort, and money gets poured into these deals, and that’s why I approach insurance differently: not just as a box to check, but as part of your investment strategy.

And if you're active on BiggerPockets or following investor playbooks, you’ve heard it before: build your team. That means having the right agent, lender, contractor, and yes—insurance partner. Someone who understands investment properties, moves fast when you need quotes, and can help you avoid costly surprises.

So if you're mid-BRRRR, house hacking, or just getting your portfolio off the ground, let's connect. I'm here to help protect your assets, your cash flow, and your long-term goals—so you can keep scaling with confidence.

I'm posting to see what everyone's thoughts are on getting that first deal done. I currently own a single family home, which I purchased almost 4 years ago. At the time of purchase, I was on the hunt for a duplex or triplex but was continually outbid with stronger offers. This house has been great to my family, but unfortunately hasn't brought the passive income value I was originally looking for. 

Buying an investment property now has it's challenges because of the 20% or even 25% down payment that is required. I've inquired on a Home Equity Loan on my single family residence, for that initial down payment. I'm sure there are plenty of experienced investors that have started out this way. How was your experience if you started out like that? 

Is there a suggestion of whether you'd do it again, or if you would look for an alternative route? 

Any advice would be appreciated!

Thanks,

Ryan

Everyone needs to get started someone, right? My plan for years has always to buy a property that not only helps pays the bills, but also will provide some extra income in the future. It's a simple goal and something I think most people have the idea of when they are getting started. I've been looking for this "perfect" property for about 9-10 months now and I'm getting extremely anxious at this point. When I go to make a deal, I've been out bid (even with my offers, I was stretching because of the low inventory in my area!) or not even allowed a showing because it's such a competitive market. It appears everyone has a similar plan as me! 

As frustrating as it is, I know that I do want to have a property that provides some type of income. Because of the competitive market, I'm curious if anyone has had similar issues? I've even thought about the idea of buying a lower value home and do a live-in flip. I have to take the plunge somehow! So from your opinion, is it best to wait? Or do you think, just take that initial plunge for the live-in flip and don't look back?