What if your next tenant wasn’t a short-term guest or a Section 8 renter but the U.S. government ? You’re about to hear about a real estate business that makes not hundreds or thousands, but millions in predictable rental income , and the best part is that it doesn’t require huge startup costs or a large portfolio ! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast ! When Noble Crawford took time off work for a family medical emergency , he never expected to return and become the scapegoat for the ...
Mar 11, 2026•55 min
Feel like you’re still years away from investing in real estate ? Maybe you’ve got shaky finances, or you think you need more education. Today’s guest was practically broke and sleeping in his truck while buying a seven-bedroom rental property with minimal money down ! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast ! Isaac Mann was done paying rent. He wanted to start building equity in a home , but with little money to his name, inconsistent income, and no real place to live , he knew he would ...
Mar 09, 2026•38 min
Is 2026 quietly shaping up to be a great time to buy a rental property ? Following a sluggish year for home sales , the housing market could become “unstuck” in 2026, giving you a clear window to buy—IF you adjust your investing strategy accordingly! Welcome to another Rookie Reply ! Today’s first question comes straight from the BiggerPockets Forums , and it’s all about closing day . What do you need to know once you get a property under contract ? Ashley and Tony give their best property-savin...
Mar 06, 2026•30 min
Many rookies are freaked out by the thought of tackling rental renovations and things going south. But what if there were ways to lower your risk, save money, and almost guarantee success ? Today’s guest graduated from “chaotic” rehabs to better, cheaper, faster house flips —all because she implemented the tools and tips you’re about to learn! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast ! Today, Serena Norris is a master house flipper , having completed over 130 projects and $55 million in vo...
Mar 04, 2026•45 min
Think building a portfolio or “retiring” with real estate is too far out of reach? Just eight years ago, today’s guest was graduating from college and starting a full-time job. Now, he makes six-figure cash flow and has ditched his W-2 job before the age of 30 —all thanks to an investing strategy that allows you to build wealth without tenants or toilets: self-storage . Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast ! At just 23 years old, Steven May did what so many rookies are afraid to do: He...
Mar 02, 2026•49 min
Want to finally buy a rental property in 2026 ? You’ve listened to the podcast. You’ve read the books. But what’s the best way to actually start ? Today, we’re pulling back the curtain and sharing a beginner-friendly strategy that gives you a bit of everything— cash flow, appreciation , loan paydown, AND tax benefits ! Welcome to another Rookie Reply ! We’re back with more questions from the BiggerPockets Forums . First, we’ll hear from someone who knows plenty about real estate investing but ne...
Feb 27, 2026•26 min
Still stuck on step one in your investing journey ? There are countless success stories from investors who started five, 10, or 20 years ago. But getting started in 2026 is a different ballgame . Not to worry—we’re sharing exactly how we’d approach real estate investing if we were starting over today! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast ! Today, Ashley and Tony own dozens of rentals, but not long ago, they were rookies, too. If they had to go back and build their real estate portfolio...
Feb 25, 2026•35 min
Think you need a trust fund, seed money, or a rich uncle to invest in real estate ? You don’t! With just 10 years of simple, “boring” investing , rental properties could completely alter your life’s trajectory. Today’s guest started from zero but now owns a small real estate portfolio that brings in over $2,500 in monthly cash flow ! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast ! Kadeem Kamal didn’t come from money—quite the opposite. But after discovering he could buy a house that doubled as ...
Feb 23, 2026•45 min
Should you use your home equity to buy a rental property ? Whether it’s your primary residence or another investment property , this strategy could help you scale faster. But between a cash-out refinance , a home equity line of credit (HELOC) , or a different method entirely, what’s the best way to tap into your funds? Welcome to another Rookie Reply ! Today, Ashley and Tony are answering more questions from the BiggerPockets Forums , the first of which comes from someone who’s looking to redepl...
Feb 20, 2026•28 min
Want to buy your first rental property in 2026 ? You’ve come to the right place! Whether you dream of becoming a “small and mighty” investor or building a large real estate portfolio , buying that first property is often the biggest hurdle. But today, we’re going to show you how to do just that, step by step! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast ! Real estate investing might seem daunting, but in this episode, Ashley and Tony break the entire process down into manageable, rookie-friend...
Feb 18, 2026•30 min
The what-ifs of real estate investing keep many rookies on the sidelines indefinitely. But when today’s guest determined his “safe” nine-to-five was just as uncertain as buying a rental property , he took the plunge. Now, having bought four small multifamily properties in just two years while keeping his W2 job, he’s fast-tracking financial freedom ! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast ! Like many rookies, Derek Brickley dreamed of owning a sizable rental portfolio , but taking that f...
Feb 16, 2026•43 min
Stuck at one rental property ? Maybe you spent years saving for that first down payment , and now, your funds are depleted. Where do you go from here? Not to worry—we’ll show you how to get past this common rookie roadblock and buy your second, third, and fourth deals ! Welcome to another Rookie Reply ! Ashley and Tony are back with more questions from the BiggerPockets Forums , the first of which is about scaling when you’re out of cash . Some rookie investors throw their entire savings at that...
Feb 13, 2026•21 min
If you’re like most rookies, you probably won’t buy a rental property in 2026 . After all, there are too many things working against you: high mortgage rates , fewer deals , and concerns about the housing market . Plus, you’re just not “ready” yet, right? Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast ! Today, we’re breaking down the three biggest reasons why most rookies won’t invest in real estate this year. These hurdles have one thing in common: fear . It might be that you lack the confidenc...
Feb 11, 2026•30 min
Think you’re too busy to own rental properties ? Real estate investing doesn’t have to dominate your time or energy. Today’s guest is living proof, having built a three-property rental portfolio in just two years—all while juggling a 50-hour workweek ! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast ! When Rashad George sold his primary residence for a $100,000 payday , he realized that real estate was the missing piece in his quest for financial freedom . Despite being swamped at his eight-to-si...
Feb 09, 2026•43 min
Money . It’s the first BIG hurdle every rookie faces when buying a rental property . Can’t put 20% down? Maybe you don’t need to! Welcome to another Rookie Reply ! We’re back with three new questions from the BiggerPockets Forums , and first, we hear from someone who’s looking to scrounge up the funds for their first real estate investment . If you have the right deal, you could bring very little, and in some cases, no money, to the table . But it’ll probably require some legwork! Next, if you’r...
Feb 06, 2026•19 min
Ashley just did her worst real estate deal. Ever. We always talk about the good real estate deals , but what about the bad deals? The rental properties with the nightmare rehabs or the messy evictions? The truth is that the lessons learned from these blunders often propel us toward bigger and better deals . Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast ! Today, we’re going over one of Ashley’s recent deals, where she lost over $25,000 . But it could have been even worse. As you’re about to hear...
Feb 04, 2026•45 min
Tired of working a nine-to-five job that dominates your time and energy? You could be closer to financial freedom than you think, even if you’re like today’s guest—living alone, working multiple jobs, and hustling to make ends meet. In just four years, she built a rental portfolio that now cash flows $4,000 a month ! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast ! Recently separated, virtually broke, and living in a tiny apartment, Allana Lippman had a “crazy” thought while writing the monthly ...
Feb 02, 2026•50 min
Mortgage rates have dropped recently , which is great news for rookies looking to buy a rental property . But is NOW the right time for a cash-out refinance ? On one hand, tapping into the equity you’ve built up in your property could help you take down bigger and better investing opportunities , but on the other hand, a completely paid-off property might help you sleep better at night. We’re weighing all of your options in today’s episode! Welcome to another Rookie Reply ! Ashley and Tony are d...
Jan 30, 2026•29 min
Do you want to own not one rental property , or two, but an entire real estate portfolio that gives you financial freedom ? Then, you’re going to need help as you grow. Thankfully, there are many tools and systems that can make running your rentals much easier. With the right resources, today’s guest built a very profitable real estate business in just TWO years ! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast ! Jamie Banks has already quit her job and replaced her entire salary with the cash fl...
Jan 28, 2026•49 min
Fear you’ll never be able to invest in real estate because of money , credit , or bad timing ? This single mom lost her house and had a 200 credit score , yet she was still able to rebuild her life and buy rental properties . If she can find a way to build wealth, so can YOU! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast ! Just months before the 2008 housing market crash , Sarah Weatherbee found herself unable to make her mortgage payments . So, she rented out her home , moved to Nicaragua , an...
Jan 26, 2026•52 min
Buying a rental property in another city, county, or state ? Then, you’re going to need boots on the ground in that market to help find, fix, and manage your investment property . How do you make sure you’ve got the right people in place from many miles away? We’ve got the tips you need in today’s episode! Welcome to another Rookie Reply ! Tony and Ashley are back with three more questions from the BiggerPockets Forums , the first of which comes from an investor who’s struggling to find meaningf...
Jan 23, 2026•27 min
Can’t break into real estate investing ? Maybe you don’t have enough money to buy a rental property or the track record of a confident investor. Thankfully, there’s a way to make money in real estate without owning rentals , and it could even help fund your first property . Today’s expert makes $20,000 in monthly cash flow with this strategy— Airbnb co-hosting ! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast ! Today, we’re joined by one of BiggerPockets’ resident short-term rental experts, Garre...
Jan 21, 2026•52 min
Feel trapped at a nine-to-five job that promises “success” but robs you of all joy, peace, and freedom? Today’s guest was in the same boat, but when everything came to a head, she traded it all for a new life that would allow her to pursue actual financial freedom —with rental properties ! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast ! Casey Nguyen had (almost) everything. She and her husband were making seven figures and owned a beautiful home in the Bay Area , but they were working around th...
Jan 19, 2026•39 min
We’ve got THE “secret” to getting more cash flow from your rental property . Ready? Put more money down ! It’s an obvious solution, but is putting 30%, 40%, or more really the best use of your cash? In this episode, we’ll get into all of the different things you should consider before putting more money down on your next investment property ! Welcome to another Rookie Reply ! Ashley and Tony are back with three new questions from the BiggerPockets Forums . First, we’ll tackle a question many roo...
Jan 16, 2026•24 min
Are we headed for another housing market crash , or is this a slightly longer correction in the current real estate cycle ? With home prices flattening in certain markets, many investors fear buying rentals before a crash. But fear creates opportunity , and today’s guests will show you why today —not next year, or five years from now—is the best time to start! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast ! Today, we’re joined by Thach Nguyen and James Dainard , who not only survived the 2008 m...
Jan 14, 2026•53 min
Getting laid off from your W2 job can be a crushing blow, but for today’s guest, it was the push she needed to finally bet on herself. Her first “real” rental property wasn’t the perfect deal, but it didn’t need to be. Today, it cash flows over $25,000 a year and has become her favorite creative outlet! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast ! Where you invest is often just as important as the property itself, so when Alex Reeves had the opportunity to buy a run-down rental in a great ar...
Jan 12, 2026•51 min•Ep. 665
Is real estate investing still worth it? High mortgage rates and home prices can make buying a rental property seem challenging, if not impossible at times, particularly for a rookie investor with zero experience. But not to worry—in this episode, we’re sharing beginner-friendly tips that will help you find and fund cash-flowing deals in 2026! Welcome to another Rookie Reply ! We’re back with three questions from the BiggerPockets Forums , the first of which comes from someone who’s looking to b...
Jan 09, 2026•33 min
Landlord insurance premiums are rising fast in many markets across the U.S., and if you’re not careful, this expense could be a dealbreaker on your next rental property . Fortunately, we know an expert on this topic, and in this episode, he’ll help you navigate these challenges so you buy the right policy without sacrificing your cash flow ! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast ! Today, we’re joined by Darren Nix , CEO of Steadily , to discuss all things rental property insurance . Why...
Jan 07, 2026•34 min
“Cancer.” One word would change this mom’s life forever, requiring her to drop her career and become a full-time caregiver . But little did she know that real estate investing would bring her more time, flexibility, and freedom than she had at any W2 job . Today, she owns several rentals, including one that brings in over $6,000 in monthly cash flow ! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast ! Jane Ng and her husband had been climbing the corporate ladder when a family medical crisis turne...
Jan 05, 2026•57 min
Money is often the biggest barrier standing between a rookie investor and their first deal, but there’s a creative way to buy a rental property that doesn’t require draining your savings or putting much down at all. We’re talking about seller financing . In today’s market, you may have even more leverage to negotiate these kinds of deals. Tune in as we break one of them down! Welcome to another Rookie Reply ! We’re back with more questions from the BiggerPockets Forums , including one from an in...
Jan 02, 2026•24 min
