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Real Estate Investing Resources

When it comes to real estate investing, are you:

a. A complete novice who wants to get started but doesn’t know where to begin
b. A rookie who’s getting ready to buy their first investment property
c. An investment property owner who wants to grow their wealth even more
d. A seasoned vet who thinks they know it all

No matter what you answered, we guarantee this blog will help you on your property investing journey. Here’s a list of real estate investment resources to help any investor stay up to date.

YouTube Channels

Did you know that in 2019, YouTube was the most visited site on the Internet? Most people won’t be surprised by that stat, but it just goes to show how YouTube has evolved from a place of viral videos to a truly resourceful tool. Here are some of the best YouTube channels to help your real estate portfolio:

Graham Stephan

“Here’s my story of skipping college, pursuing [sic] real estate sales at 18 years old, and becoming a millionaire by the time I turned 26.” Graham Stephan’s YouTube bio says it all. While Stephan diverts his attention from real estate investing to millennials (and lots of avocado toast mentions, for whatever reason) to other financial topics from time to time, his transparency as a whole is inspiring and insightful.

Mark Ferguson

A true flip king (often balancing 15-20 property flips at a time), Mark Ferguson documents every part of his real estate investment process. Ferguson shows before and after footage, spreadsheets and other financial info, and even whether a property was ultimately worth it. 

BiggerPockets

As one BP fan writes, “BiggerPockets forum is the single greatest resource for real estate investors.” While BP also has a blog, forum, website, and podcast, their YouTube channel is perhaps a perfect compilation of each resource.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

  • Meet Kevin
  • Flipping Mastery TV
  • Max Maxwell
  • The Financial Diet (not real estate, but an excellent financial video channel)

Podcasts

Put these on during your commute, take a walk and plug in your earphones, or even just make cleaning the house a little more interesting with a good real estate investing podcast. Many of the channels listed (and sites below) also have their own podcast, but here are some lesser-known podcasts to check out.

Apartment Building Investing With Michael Blank

On top of writing for BiggerPockets, Michael Blank’s podcast has unique perspectives regarding multifamily complexes. Blank dives deep on this somewhat niche form of property investing through conversations and intriguing interviews.

The Real Estate Guys

One of iTunes’ most popular podcasts, the Real Estate Guys were once a radio show and got their start in 1997. Fast-paced and fun, you won’t start snoozing with this podcast.

Rental Rookie

Teacher-turned-investor Emily Du Plessis explains how she finessed her transition into property investing. But with more than 160 episodes as of January, 2020, this podcast title is a misnomer — Du Plessis certainly knows her stuff. This is a great podcast in general, but the fact that it’s run by a teacher means you know you’ll learn a ton.

Blogs, Sites, & Forums

REtipster

REtipster stands apart from many other blogs because it gives a lot of attention to land sales and how to sell land. Blogs, podcasts, reviews, and interviews make this an extraordinarily comprehensive site.

Afford Anything

Afford Anything tells a fascinating story of a woman, Paula, who has done it all in the pursuit of financial freedom. Paula has a podcast, a blog, a consulting service, and even a course to help investors get on their feet. Even if you’re just learning about how she scraped up $25k on a $21k salary, you’re bound to be captivated by her story.

Connected Investors

Connected Investors is almost like the Reddit of property investing. You can find topics to read up on or contribute to, or even start your own. Plus, these forums are a great way for people to network, which can absolutely help you grow your portfolio.

RealtyHive

Countless cruise through Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com and the like. What many people don’t realize is that RealtyHive is an untapped source of potential. 

We are an exclusive resource for learning about purchasing property through time-limited events, our blog is a resource for real estate buyers and sellers, and we feature listings that other sites might not show. We know that knowledge is power, and we’re more than happy to share our knowledge with you!

How to Make Money in Real Estate

Making money in real estate seems to be on everyone’s mind. Whether you’re a current homeowner looking to expand your investments or a first-time buyer, it’s a good time to review the four ways you can make money from real estate.

#1: The Old-Fashioned 

Like many of our parents and grandparents, the Old-Fashioned way involves buying a house, investing in it (make necessary renovations, etc.), and hold onto it for decades.

The longer you hold onto your house, the greater chance you have for it to appreciate in market value. No matter what, if you’re planning on buying a house for yourself, plan on living in it for at least two years, but ideally at least five to seven to maximize your ROI. 

When You Won’t Make Money: In the ‘70s and ‘80s, cities in West Virginia and Montana were economic hotspots due to their mining industries. When the mines (and subsequent jobs) ran dry, so did the desire to live there. Owning in an area that could experience similar boom and bust puts you at risk.

#2: The Up-and-Coming

Buying a house in an up-and-coming city is a great way to make money in real estate. Cities like Boulder, Bozeman, and Coeur d’Alene have exploded with popularity in the past few decades. Those who bought properties years ago in cities that are now popular are looking at huge ROI when they decide to sell.

When You don’t Make Money: It’s essential to find a city that’s on the cusp of real estate greatness. However, that city’s growth needs to fit your timeline (or vice versa). No one wants to be stuck in a city they think will be popular in five years, only for it to take decades.

#3: The Fixer Upper

Flipping houses has become one of the most popular ways to make money in real estate. Lower-priced houses nearly always need a lot of work. If you’re willing to make renovations, there’s a good chance you can sell your house for more than it was originally worth, and turn a profit as a result.

When You Won’t Make Money: Costly renovations, not selling fast enough, struggling to find buyers — these scenarios affect ROI potential. Closing fast on houses might net the best deal, but skipping a home inspection can lead to costly and unplanned expenses. 

#4: The Rental

Buying a house in a popular area and renting it out is a great source of passive income. Don’t get us wrong — it’s a lot of work to be a landlord. However, it’s nice to see your home turn a profit consistently. Plus, you still get the long-term benefits of owning a house.

When You Won’t Make Money: The Rental’s success depends on your ability to find renters. Any day your house isn’t being occupied is a day you’re losing money. Invest in an area that needs rentals, like owning near a big city or close to college campuses.

No matter what option you’re considering for making money from real estate, start your journey with RealtyHive! Find vacant land to build on, international properties, residential homes, and even commercial spaces in our listings today.