When I first started in real estate, I thought the key to success was finding that one perfect property.But looking back, the thing that made the biggest difference wasn’t the deal — it was the foundation behind it.Here’s what I wish someone told me early on 1.

But the principle is the same.Why This MattersAfter nearly 20 years and hundreds of deals, I can tell you the most valuable skill in real estate investing isn't renovation expertise or property management or financing relationships.Those things matter, but they're multipliers on the foundation.The foundation is buying right.

You may just need someone familiar with gifting strategies and DAFs or you may need a team to run a foundation. 

But give it a decade, and that same tree provides comfort and sustenance year after year.The biggest lesson I’ve learned in both worlds is that every “overnight success” has at least a 5–10 year foundation behind it.

I recently began my journey as a Mortgage Loan Officer with loanDepot, where I help clients find the right financing solutions for home purchases, refinances, and investment properties.Before transitioning into mortgage lending, I spent years in institutional finance and trading, where I developed a strong foundation in markets, risk management, and client service.

Good bookkeeping is the foundation for:capturing all your deductions (especially the small ones that add up),doing real tax planning throughout the year (not just at year-end), andhelping you make better business decisions as your income grows.A CPA who specializes in real-estate clients should be talking to you about bookkeeping, entity structure, proactive planning, and year-round support — not just tax prep.Hope that helps you find the right long-term fit.

As you step into the world of real estate investing and begin shaping your investment strategy, it’s essential to focus early on two often-overlooked foundations: tax planning and asset protection.

If you prefer reading, Long Distance Real Estate Investing by David Greene is a solid foundation.

I have virtually no solid foundational knowledge base and I plan on making my first purchase in the year 2027-2028.

That makes total sense — sounds like you’ve built a solid foundation by sticking to strong fundamentals.