Looking back to your old self, what advice would you give?

Looking back to your old self, what advice would you give?

New to Real Estate · Midwest, United States · Member since 2017 · 11 posts · 0 votes

Hey everyone!

My name is Alex Burkard, an aspiring real estate investor in the Mid-West. I'm just now stepping out of the planning stage, and into the action stage of real estate investing. I've done research, picked out my niche, and decided on a strategy, now I have to move forward into the unknown and couldn't be more happy or anxious at the same time. It feels like I'm at the top of a roller coaster about to leap down.

That being said, in my experience in other professionals I've held I always remember looking back at where I had begun, and where I am currently, reflecting on what I've learned and laughing at what I consider easy now that back then was the end of the world.

If you could go back and say one sentence of advice to your rookie investor self, what would it be? Why? 

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Rental Property Investor · Clarksville, TN · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
6y

Don't step over dollars to pick up quarters.

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  • Specialist · Riverside, CA · Member since 2015 · 6k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    6y

    Math

  • Rental Property Investor · Clarksville, TN · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    6y

    Don't step over dollars to pick up quarters.

  • Vancouver / Camas · Member since 2017 · 12 posts · 5 votes
    6y

    Measure Twice, Cut once.

    and... Read, ask questions, read, ask again.

  • Sheldon ZimmermanBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Lancaster, PA · Member since 2018 · 63 posts · 59 votes
    6y

    Don't ever overthink it, keep the math simple for your first deal. You will learn more by doing it then you will reading and listening to podcasts. So Just Do It

  • Rental Property Investor · New York City · Member since 2019 · 703 posts · 538 votes
    6y

    Know when to walk away

  • Rental Property Investor · Leucadia, CA · Member since 2015 · 153 posts · 53 votes
    6y

    Trust the numbers and your intuition. Brokers are trying to make money and generally are not operational people (not always true). I have numerous self storage facilities and the things brokers try to sell me on are outrageous. 

    Also, reserves are a thing. 

  • Rental Property Investor · Washington, DC · Member since 2015 · 429 posts · 393 votes
    6y

    @Alexander Burkard

    Be more aggressive at building relationships and networking. Real estate is a relationship business. Connect with everyone!

    Go bigger sooner. You don’t need to do a dozen small deals before you’re ready to do a big deal. As long as you have a plan and stick to your rules, you should be okay. So don’t be hesitant to get into bigger deals earlier on.

  • Will BarnardPro Member
    Moderator
    Developer · Santa Clarita, CA · Member since 2008 · 15k+ posts · 10k+ votes
    6y

    Focus on one strategy, learn it well, build it larger, rinse and repeat.

  • Paul MoorePro Member
    Commercial Real Estate Fund Manager · Lynchburg, VA · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    6y

    @Alexander Burkard: Lots of great advice here already.  On a practical level, if I could go back 30 years, I would skip residential and dive straight into commercial real estate investing. 

  • Will BarnardPro Member
    Moderator
    Developer · Santa Clarita, CA · Member since 2008 · 15k+ posts · 10k+ votes
    6y
    Originally posted by @Paul Moore:

    @Alexander Burkard: Lots of great advice here already.  On a practical level, if I could go back 30 years, I would skip residential and dive straight into commercial real estate investing. 

    I too agree with this with the caveat that doing the residential first gave me a fantastic stepping stone into the commercial realm and made me a wiser investor when I stepped into commercial stuff. 

  • Paul MoorePro Member
    Commercial Real Estate Fund Manager · Lynchburg, VA · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    6y

    Now that you say it that way, @Will Barnard, that makes total sense.  I agree. 

  • Rental Property Investor · Ankeny, IA · Member since 2017 · 2k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    6y

    @Alexander Burkard

    Divorce her earlier and start house hacking young.

  • New to Real Estate · Midwest, United States · Member since 2017 · 11 posts · 0 votes
    6y

    Thank you everyone for all the advice! I greatly appreciate it and it was exactly what I was needing. 

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