All Forum Posts by: Bernice Retzloff

Hey @Robert Williams

Totally get where you’re at, and honestly, just posting and putting yourself out there is already a big step! Fear is normal, but action is what builds confidence. A lot of rookies break through by starting with a simple, solid rental in a market where the numbers actually work. Like Memphis, where you can pick up fully renovated, tenant-ready properties in the $100K–$140K range with strong cash flow and steady demand thanks to major employers like FedEx and St. Jude. It’s way easier to take that first leap when you know you’ve got a full team (acquisition, rehab, management) backing you up. If you ever want to chat about how first-timers are getting started here safely and building momentum one deal at a time, happy to connect! You're way closer than you think!

Hi @Jay Styles

You're asking all the right questions. Real Wealth Network is one option, but if you're serious about getting started before your move, I'd also suggest looking into markets like Memphis, especially with your $20K budget. Memphis has affordable, fully renovated properties around $100K–$140K, strong rental demand thanks to major employers like FedEx and St. Jude, and solid property management already in place. Which makes it perfect for out-of-state investors who need a true turnkey setup. With 20% down, you could easily get into a cash-flowing property without stretching yourself thin. Plus, working directly with a full in-house team (acquisitions, rehab, management) gives you more transparency than some national networks. If you want, I can walk you through how other first-time investors are getting started here safely and building momentum before their big moves. You’re on the right track! Keep that momentum going!

Hey @Adon Ripple!

You're in a solid spot, especially with $25K saved, a mentor in your corner, and early exposure to both BRRRR and turnkey paths. If the seller-financed duplex checks out (solid rent rolls, no major deferred maintenance, good tenants), locking in your first deal with strong cash flow is a great move! Even if it's not a full BRRRR. Your first property should teach you more than it costs you, and turnkey or semi-turnkey is perfect for that. In markets like Memphis, for example, investors are grabbing renovated duplexes or SFHs under $150K that cash flow well from day one, especially in B-class areas with long-term tenants. If you've got someone willing to walk you through it and help avoid rookie mistakes, that's worth its weight in gold. Focus on getting in, building experience, and learning how to analyze, finance, and manage. Then pivot to BRRRRs when your confidence and network are stronger. Let me know if you want to compare that deal to similar ones in Memphis! We can help with numbers and walk you through what to look for. You're doing all the right things! Keep it up!

Hey @Jasmyne Rucker! 

Biggest hurdle is that first deal, so pick a lane that's simple to execute and leaves room for rookie mistakes! turnkey single‑family rental is usually smoother (steady cash flow, long‑term tenants) than a flip that lives or dies on tight budgets and ARV comps. If your local market's pricey, look at out‑of‑state spots like Memphis where fully renovated SFHs still go for ~$120 K and rent fast; with 20 % down you're in for under $30 K, and a turnkey team handles rehab and tenants while you learn. Hard‑money and flip grants sound sexy, but they're expensive lessons if ARV shifts or holding costs drag on. Bank‑financed buy‑and‑hold lets you build a track record, equity, and cash flow you can leverage into flips later. Line up financing first, analyze 20‑30 deals to spot the winners, then pull the trigger on one boring, cash‑flow property to get momentum. If you want real Memphis numbers or intros to lenders and managers, just holler! I've got you!

Hi @Shiven Vij!

Start small and simple! But don’t be afraid of out‑of‑state if your local market’s numbers are ugly. Learn basic deal math, line up financing, and build a “core four” team (agent, lender, manager, contractor). Then zero in on one cash‑flow market where turnkey support exists. Memphis is a favorite for first‑timers because fully renovated SFHs still trade around $110‑140 K, rents are steady thanks to FedEx, St. Jude, and Ford’s new Blue Oval project, and landlord laws are friendly. We’ve got boots‑on‑the‑ground here that handle acquisition, rehab, and management so your first deal feels hands‑off while you collect mailbox money and real‑world experience! Happy to plug you in when you’re ready!

Hi @Marisa Opp!

BiggerPockets “Real Estate Rookie” podcast, David Greene’s Long‑Distance Real Estate Investing, and the TurnkeyRental show for Memphis case studies, then play with the DealCheck app to get comfy running numbers! focus on one cash‑flow market (Memphis is killer: $100‑150K rehabbed houses, 7%+ cap, FedEx/St. Jude‑driven demand) and lean on a turnkey team that handles rehab and management so you can learn without babysitting contractors; once you’ve underwritten a few deals, DM me and I’ll shoot you real Memphis property packets so you can practice and snag that first out‑of‑state door!

Hey @Chris Vandivort!

Love your mindset and how methodical you're approaching this! You're 100% right that Bay Area properties rarely pencil out for cash flow, especially for first-time investors who want to avoid swinging too hard out of the gate. That’s exactly why so many professionals like you are turning to out-of-state markets like Memphis. Out here, you can still find fully renovated single-family homes and small multi-families in the $100K–$150K range that actually cash flow after expenses. It’s one of the few markets where long-term rentals are still viable without major capital risk.

You mentioned being cautious about contractors and management teams, and that’s smart. The key is working with a vertically integrated team that handles everything: acquisition, renovation, and in-house property management. In Memphis, we focus on B-class neighborhoods with strong demand from tenants working at places like FedEx, St. Jude, and now Ford’s massive Blue Oval project. Homes rent fast, tenants stay longer (our average is 3.5 years), and we maintain a 98% occupancy rate with an eviction rate under 1%.

As for how to spend your next 100 hours: dig into market fundamentals (population trends, job growth, rent-to-price ratios), study how to analyze deals conservatively, and learn how to vet property managers and contractors if you’re not going turnkey. BiggerPockets podcasts and books are gold, but also check out real-world case studies from investors in markets like Memphis where the numbers work.

If you ever want to see what that kind of setup looks like in practice or walk through some real-world deals, I’d be happy to share. You're in a great position—smart, motivated, and cautious in the best way. You’ve got this!

Hey @Chaim Mal!

Totally feel you on the Brooklyn prices! It’s tough to cash flow there, especially starting out. That’s why a lot of investors in your shoes are looking at out-of-state markets like Memphis, where entry prices are way lower and the rent-to-price ratio actually works. One of the best ways to gauge a market remotely is to partner with a team that knows the area street by street. In Memphis, for example, we focus on B-class neighborhoods near major employers like FedEx and St. Jude. Areas where homes rent fast and tenants stay long-term. We look at how quickly properties lease after renovation and how long tenants stay (ours average 3.5 years), which helps reduce vacancy and maintenance issues.

If you're just starting, look for a turnkey provider that handles everything in-house. Acquisitions, renovations, property management. So you're not trying to piece together a team from afar. That kind of setup helps you invest confidently without needing to fly in every week. If you’re curious about how this looks in practice, I’d be happy to walk you through the Memphis model and what to watch out for in other markets. You’re asking the right questions already! It just takes one solid first deal to get the ball rolling!

Hey @Jamil Aboumansour!

With $80K saved up, you're in a great spot to get started with the BRRRR strategy! Especially in an affordable, investor-friendly market like Memphis. Out here, you can still find value-add properties in the $100K–$150K range where a full renovation and strong rental demand can support a solid refinance. Memphis is ideal for BRRRR because of low acquisition costs, steady rent prices, and high demand driven by major employers like FedEx, Nike, and St. Jude. A big tip is to make sure you're buying in B-class neighborhoods with long-term tenant potential and avoiding areas that look cheap but come with constant turnover or repair headaches. If you don't already have a team, we've helped a lot of investors from California build portfolios here, handling acquisition, renovation, and property management all under one roof. Happy to walk you through what a BRRRR could look like in Memphis!

Hey @Zachary Wallis!

Love the ambition! Starting at 23 puts you in a fantastic spot to build serious long-term wealth. With a $25K down payment, out-of-state investing is the right call, and Memphis is a market you should definitely have on your radar. You can still find fully renovated, tenant-ready homes here in the $100K–$125K range, making that 20–25% down totally doable. Plus, Memphis has strong rental demand, stable job growth from major employers like FedEx and St. Jude, and landlord-friendly laws. Ideal for long-distance investors.

Turnkey companies like Rent to Retirement or Roofstock can be decent starting points, but just be aware that not all turnkey providers are created equal. The difference really comes down to the quality of renovations, the property management, and the transparency of the team. What we do in Memphis is offer true "boots-on-the-ground" support—acquisition, renovation, and management all under one roof. So you’re not left guessing or chasing different people for answers. For first-time, remote investors like you, having one integrated team that handles everything helps avoid the common headaches and lets you focus on learning and scaling. I’d be happy to walk you through how other investors your age are starting their portfolios here! Just say the word!