Brand new to Real Estate - Help!

[Christopher Turpaud]

A friend of mine has been investing in Real Estate for 7 years and turned me on to the idea a couple months ago. Long term I would like to focus on flipping homes so as to avoid property management and tenants. But I am open to other suggestions. My friend recommended finding a niche and sticking with that. I am not planning on quitting my day job anytime soon but rather my hope is to gradually grow the amount of income I am able to bring in over the next 5 years to be in a position to make Real Estate my full time gig. 

My goal for now is to become as educated as possible. I literally know almost nothing about Real Estate. What things should I be doing now to get started? What are some potential pit falls to avoid as I begin? I also am not in a position to fund any investment opportunities out of pocket. I have great credit, but what kind of creative investment opportunities exist for someone like me who doesn't have the finances to start out?

[Jose Jacob]

Quote from @Christopher Turpaud:

A friend of mine has been investing in Real Estate for 7 years and turned me on to the idea a couple months ago. Long term I would like to focus on flipping homes so as to avoid property management and tenants. But I am open to other suggestions. My friend recommended finding a niche and sticking with that. I am not planning on quitting my day job anytime soon but rather my hope is to gradually grow the amount of income I am able to bring in over the next 5 years to be in a position to make Real Estate my full time gig. 

My goal for now is to become as educated as possible. I literally know almost nothing about Real Estate. What things should I be doing now to get started? What are some potential pit falls to avoid as I begin? I also am not in a position to fund any investment opportunities out of pocket. I have great credit, but what kind of creative investment opportunities exist for someone like me who doesn't have the finances to start out?

 If I were you, I will find properties for your friend and get a finders fee.  Once you find property, try to learn the business from your friend.  Real Estate investing is like an ocean. As your friend said, find a niche and work on it.  You have someone to look after and learn the business, which is your friend.  Lot of newbies don't have that option.  Ask him, how to find properties in your market area and find those for him,  I am pretty sure he will teach you the business.  And, finance will come along with it.  If you find good properties, there are so many investors out there who will finance the projects.