Finding a mentor:There's tons of info you can read on these forums about how to find mentors, so I won't re-hash that... but, before you go spending time and effort trying to find a mentor, I'd suggest first stepping back and asking yourself: do you actually NEED a mentor at this stage, and what are the ramifications of actually having a mentor?

🏡 Success Story: Young Street, Richmond, VAWe purchased Young Street off-market on May 23, 2025 for $173,000 — a hidden gem ready for transformation.With a targeted $50,000 renovation, we completely reimagined the home:✨ Added stairs to the attic for full access✨ Finished out two spacious rooms upstairs✨ Installed a brand-new full bathroom✨ Staged it to perfection for maximum market appealJust 4 days after listing, it sold on October 27, 2025 for $390,000.💰 Purchase Price: $173,000🔨 Renovation Cost: $50,000🏠 Sale Price: $390,000📆 Days on Market: 4💵 Profit (before closing costs): ≈ $167,000This project is a perfect example of how creative vision, strategic upgrades, and professional staging can turn an overlooked property into a massive win.We didn’t just flip a house — we created opportunity, equity, and a story of success.

We're in the early stages of adding a 16 unit apartment building to our portfolio & wondering if it is time to look into some type of software to allow online payments, tenants to request maintenance, access documents, etc.Any suggestions on software to look into?

Virtual staging is another option that has come into its own recently . . . 

By responding quickly and presenting simple, certain terms, Rafael secured the property and set the stage for a same-day resale that aligned with buyer demand.How did you finance this deal?

What do you wish someone had told you that would've helped you in the beginning stages?

Louis – House Price Index (FHFA)Tracks quarterly home price changes in Virginia since 1975.View VA House Price Index [fred.stlouisfed.org]Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service (UVA)Offers economic forecasts, housing-related research, and demographic data.Visit Cooper Center [www.coopercenter.org]Virginia Property Tax and Assessment DataCounty-level property tax rates, home values, and income comparisons.View VA Property Tax Data [www.proper...tax101.org]GIS Property Maps by CountyInteractive maps showing parcel boundaries, zoning, and ownership.Explore VA GIS Maps [www.gismaps.org]For most new real estate investors, house hacking is the best way to start. 

The money comes on the backend after you've had thousands of opportunities to demonstrate your skill set on the stage that the platform has provided. 

I'm not quite at the buying stage but would gladly take the referral information for when I'm ready soon! 

Infrastructure investments like the $25 million Northland workforce center aim to grow talent pipelines and employment.