My 13-Year-Old son wants to learn real estate — What next?

Question

BP Community, I’m reaching out because my 13-year-old son has developed a huge interest in real estate, and I’m not sure how to guide him.

Over the past week, he’s been glued to his computer, looking at rental properties, analyzing listings, asking questions about cash flow and what makes a great single family home a *good investment*.

It’s awesome to see how passionate he is, but I’m feeling stuck on what his next steps should be. At his age, it’s not like he can start investing or manage a property, so I’m trying to figure out how to nurture this interest without overwhelming him.

Should I focus on teaching him the basics of personal finance, like saving and budgeting, or is there a way to introduce him to more advanced concepts like market analysis?

Would connecting him with a mentor or having him shadow someone in the industry be too soon? I’d also love any recommendations for beginner-friendly books, podcasts, or other resources that are suitable for a teenager.

I really don’t want to squash his enthusiasm, but I also don’t want him to get frustrated if he feels stuck.

Any advice from experienced investors or parents would mean a lot! Thanks!

Henry Clark · Answer

My brother has a saying kids don’t learn they absorb.  You just don’t know what.

Some recommendations.
1. Have a realtor walk thru their commission breakdown.
2. Have a realtor take him thru a close document package.
3. Make a buy at a Nebraska Tax auction on just the taxes.

4.  Have him post a deal analysis on BP and ask for input.

5.  Get the Rich Dad Poor Dad game.

6.  Spend a day at a Habitat for Humanity building a house.

7.  Walk a house that is for sale.

8.  Spot him $10,000 and do a Texas off list tax sale for land, not a house.  Not at an auction.  You can research these online. You can call my brother in Italy and then me on what type of properties to look for.  If he starts now he can buy his own car for high school.  Then pay for college.

9. If he is into commercial I can walk him thru Selfstorage or country subdivisions when he is off for Xmas break.

10. So all of this again in 2 years. Let him absorb more and he will keep narrowing down his path.

Travis Timmons · Answer

Whenever my kids show an interest in something productive, I try to use that opportunity to teach them a skill that they can take with them. Pretty much every interest or hobby that my kids have gotten into comes and goes with the passing year or season; however, the skills that I can teach them within that window of interest sticks with them (hopefully).

Start with whatever your son's natural talents and inclinations lean toward. If he is naturally good at it, he is more likely to stick with it. That could be anything across the continuum of spreadsheet analysis, swinging a hammer, sales/marketing, etc.

Patricia Steiner · Answer

Buy a lottery ticket!  You've got gold with that kid.  Most his age just want to be a TikTok star.

I recommend teaching him basic construction and property inspection (4-point items); 'lipstick on a pig' can kill an investment and reputation faster than anything in this business.

Best...

Caleb Brown · Answer

If you can include him on simple things regarding real estate that would be good(Not sure what exactly you have cooking in REI). I would also teach him budgeting and being financially literate. As you know managing your finances will determine how quick you can get into REI. Maybe pay him a little for things he does for you, help him manage that money and grow it. Then when he is older he can have a great start. If he has a heavy interest at 15/16 I would be curious if there is entry level or internships for him to get into, whether that's with a wholesaler, agent, property manager, etc. Sounds like a smart kid!

Jaycee Greene · Answer

Hey @Nate O.! Glad to hear your teenager is taken such an interest in real estate. I mentor aspiring/emerging developers in my role as a part time CFO, particularly when it comes to the financial side of real estate investing. I'm happy to answer any of his (or your) questions.

Julia Lyrberg · Answer

That’s great that your son is so into real estate at such a young age! Starting with the basics like saving and budgeting is definitely a good move, but it sounds like he’s ready for some beginner-friendly real estate concepts too, like analyzing properties or understanding cash flow.

Books like Rich Dad Poor Dad for Teens or podcasts like BiggerPockets Rookie could be a great fit. You could even involve him in analyzing a deal for fun or have him create a “mock” investment plan. Shadowing or connecting with a mentor might be something to consider down the road, but for now, small steps like these can keep his interest growing without overwhelming him.

Wale Lawal · Answer

@Nate O.

To spark your son's interest in real estate, begin by teaching him financial basics and slowly introduce real estate concepts through hands-on experiences like simulations, shadowing, or DIY projects. Encourage him to set long-term goals, connect with mentors, and use educational resources while keeping the learning process fun and balanced with other activities to prevent burnout. Celebrate his progress to keep him motivated and engaged.

Good luck!

Tim Ryan · Answer

Get Kiyosaki's CashFlow Game and play with the family.  I did this with my 6, 8 and 10 year olds years ago. To this day they say it was the best and they all have real estate lingo and knowledge and two of the three (in early 20's now) own rentals. Third will soon.

This will be a game changer. Buy it today on Amazon! you'll be blown away, it's not a kids game.

Jeff Allen · Answer

Check out Fred Tichaurs book on investing. He is a broker in Omaha with BHHS Ambassador. There are many local real estate investors that you could contact in Omaha that he could follow around and absorb the process.

Jeff Allen · Answer

Check out Fred Tichaurs book on investing. He is a broker in Omaha with BHHS.

My 13-Year-Old son wants to learn real estate — What next?

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