Let me offer you some encouragement and tangible steps based on my own journey over the past decade.When my husband and I started in real estate investing nearly 10 years ago, we didn’t have a trust fund, a pile of cash, or perfect credit either.

Amazing achievement, congratulations!

Great question and congratulations on starting your real estate investing journey.I have paid for mentorship in the past when I was starting out.

Workers do not show up, substandard quality, wrong materials used, overruns start piling up.

Hi Zach in Newark, New Jersey-You are 21 and saving $2,000 a month and still live with your parents and in no rush to move out and ask what would be the smartest, first real estate move to build long-term wealth.Great question and congratulations on starting your real estate investing journey.First, let me say, I would stay at home as long as possible as long as everyone is good with the arrangement. (1) It helps you stack cash. (2) Hopefully it adds value to your family being there and helping out. (3) You want to launch into the world in as strong a position as possible and low overhead helps you do that.That being said, I would invest in a cash flowing duplex, possibly in an area you could see yourself living, that way you always have a rent check coming in and the option to live in one part of the duplex and have a tenant help pay the expenses in the other unit.

Congratulations, you made it out alive!

Congratulations on your success with your first property, @Ryan Ramola!

Hi Gal,First off — congratulations for taking the first steps into real estate investing!

Congratulations on your new property.

Christian, That’s a great mindset to have, and congratulations on being ready to take action—it’s the hardest and most important first step.