Full time registered nurse in CA, part time real estate investing?

Question

Hello all. I currently hold a staff position as a registered nurse working 36 hours (3 days a week). I'm looking into ways to spend my other 4 days off, and I've been intrigued by the idea of learning about real estate investing, economics, personal finance, etc. Does anyone here hold a full-time job and do real estate investing on the side, if so what is that like? Is it manageable? Would you recommend it for someone in my position?

Thank you.

Sean O'Keefe · Answer

Following - I'm also based in California

Jonathan Chan · Answer

I had a full time job and invested in real estate doing the BRRRR method. I got to 30 doors and left my W2...however, realized that landlord income is not the best way to survive. You'll need some sort of active income, whether it's wholesale, fix and flip or lending.

Bradley Buxton · Answer

@Jonathan TiradoMany people invest and have a job on the side. It's very beneficial to get loans when you have a W2. Create a plan to harmonize your time with your investments and the rigors of nursing. It doesn't need to be equal time on both. Plan for time to rest from the rigors of nursing and investing, along with occasional travel. Go to local meet-ups, network, and research different markets.

Louis P Lessor · Answer

It very easy to do, it just begins with finding the strategy that does not add to much to your plate and allows you to have that balance. I did house hacking and still doing it and to start I hired a property manager to both learn from and to allow me to continue working full time until I was able to take over managing the property. That property manger was even able to help me find a off-market deal to help me continue building up my properties.

Drew Sygit · Answer

@Jonathan Tirado at least 90% of the RE investors on this site have full-time jobs!Most come here hoping to find an avenue via real estate investing to quit their day job, but that should NOT be their goal.They should be pursuing RE investing to diversify & improve their financial future. Then there's the "Wall Street vs Main Street" concept where one can have more control of real estate versus stock & bond market investing.

Wale Lawal · Answer

@Jonathan TiradoReal estate investing is a viable side hustle for full-time professionals, offering a flexible schedule and tax benefits. Starting small with house hacking, SFR, or STR, and balancing with a full-time job involves automation and early system building. Balancing job and investing stress requires prioritizing properties and strategies that align with risk tolerance and time commitment. Education, game planning, technology, and networking can help build wealth and financial independence.Good luck!

Rick Albert · Answer

I don't think anyone here would suggest you quit healthcare to pursue this full time. What's great about investing is that it can be a side hustle since you outsource a lot of the help. I have clients in tech, pharma, entertainment, and more that do real estate on the side. It is a mechanism towards retirement.

Jonathan Tirado · Answer

Thank you to everyone who replied. I am taking notes and I'm excited to be part of such a helpful community. I'm currently going for my nurse practitioner license, being paid for by the hospital I work at, and it's just busy work (so far). So, a lot of this input has helped me decide to stick with that for now instead of dropping healthcare altogether.

Eddie Gomez · Answer

It's absolutely manageable to do real estate investing on the side, even with a full-time job like yours. Many investors balance their primary careers with real estate, and your flexibility with four days off a week is a big advantage. Starting on BiggerPockets is a great idea – it’s a fantastic resource for learning the fundamentals and connecting with experienced investors. The key to success is finding a profitable deal that aligns with your goals. The biggest challenge, more than handling maintenance, is managing tenant relationships and understanding the legal responsibilities. For example, tenant selection is crucial to minimize issues down the line, and it's essential to know fair housing and landlord-tenant laws, especially if you’re considering investing in a state like California with stringent regulations. You may want to consider starting with one property and exploring property management services if things get busy. This approach allows you to build your knowledge and confidence over time while still keeping your nursing career as your main focus. With a strategic approach, it's definitely possible to build a strong side income in real estate investing!

Aristotle Kumpis · Answer

It sounds like you want more time, so active investing such as flipping or rehabbing might not be ideal. I would recommend you look into buy and hold. It's a simple concept and is very easy to understand. You don't need to take courses. And you can still work your job until you have enough cash flow to pivot into part time. You just need to know where to find the deals, and how it all works.