Your 90-Day Weekly Action Checklist to Get Your First Deal

1. Weeks 1–2: Set the foundation

• Week 1: Write one clear 90-day goal tied to your life (cash flow, housing cost reduction, long-term wealth)
• Week 1: Decide why you want your first deal
• Week 1: Block 2–5 hours per week on your calendar for real estate
• Week 1: Identify one accountability partner or group
• Week 2: Choose one investing strategy (long-term rental, house hack, BRRRR, etc.)
• Week 2: Decide if you want active or passive involvement
• Week 2: Write down your buy box (price range, property type, general location)
• Week 2: Start a simple notes document to track questions and lessons

2. Weeks 3–4: Pick a market and start learning

• Week 3: Choose one primary market to focus on
• Week 3: Research average home prices, average rents, property taxes and insurance norms
• Week 3: Identify 2–3 neighborhoods to watch
• Week 3: Follow local agents or investors online in that market
• Week 4: Look at 5–10 active listings
• Week 4: Estimate rent for each property
• Week 4: Roughly estimate expenses
• Week 4: Begin spotting what makes deals "work" or "not work"
• Week 4: Write down patterns you're noticing

3. Weeks 5–6: Learn deal analysis

• Week 5: Analyze at least 5 deals (even if they're bad)
• Week 5: Practice estimating the mortgage payment, taxes, insurance, maintenance and reserves
• Week 5: Identify why each deal does or does not meet your goal
• Week 6: Analyze 5 more deals
• Week 6: Compare properties side by side
• Week 6: Adjust your buy box if needed
• Week 6: Get faster and less emotional with numbers

Run each deal through the rental property calculator to practice faster.

4. Weeks 7–8: Financing and team building

• Week 7: Contact at least 2 lenders
• Week 7: Ask about loan options and down payment requirements
• Week 7: Get preapproved if possible
• Week 7: Learn what documentation lenders require
• Week 8: Connect with a real estate agent, an insurance agent, and a contractor or handyman (even just for estimates)
• Week 8: Let your agent know your exact buy box
• Week 8: Set up listing alerts

5. Weeks 9–10: Make offers

• Week 9: Identify 2–3 properties that meet your criteria
• Week 9: Run numbers thoroughly
• Week 9: Submit your first offer (or prepare one with your agent)
• Week 9: Track feedback from sellers or agents
• Week 10: Submit at least one additional offer
• Week 10: Review counteroffers or rejections
• Week 10: Refine your numbers and assumptions
• Week 10: Stay consistent, not emotional

6. Weeks 11–12: Get under contract

• Week 11: Continue submitting offers
• Week 11: Go under contract on a property
• Week 11: Schedule an inspection
• Week 11: Line up insurance and financing details
• Week 12: Review inspection results
• Week 12: Negotiate repairs or credits if needed
• Week 12: Finalize your loan and closing checklist
• Week 12: Prepare utilities, a property management plan, or a move-in strategy

7. Week 13: Close and reflect

• Close on your first property
• Celebrate (seriously)!
• Write down what worked, what you'd do differently, and what your next goal is
• Decide your next 90-day focus