Losing money on first deal?

[Jonathan H.]

Hi guys,

I dont know any full time investors in my life so I have to come here for a lot of newbie questions. Hope this is ok.

I often read about people who have or are losing money on their first investments.

I just wanted to know what are the reasons for people losing money?

-Is it just a few people who are not paying rent?

-major repair that they did not anticipate?

-Wrong numbers to start with, and now they have to pay "X" amount monthly out of their own pockets?

I just want to know if their are a few more 'common' mistakes that people make when starting off, or if its really just a mixed-bag-of-inexperience.

thanks a million