All Forum Posts by: Kristina Modares

Membership opens November 12th & closes November 22nd. 

We host 2-3 virtual events a month and our community is designed for women who want more than the traditional path to homeownership. We’re a nationwide network of curious, driven women exploring innovative ways to invest in real estate. Whether you’re looking to buy with friends, make your first property investment, or explore unique strategies like house hacking and short-term rentals, Open House Education is your go-to space for support and inspiration.

Here, you’ll find live events led by real estate pros, practical resources, and an entire community ready to cheer you on. Members connect on a personal level, share honest advice, and often find potential real estate partners or accountability buddies. Our membership is affordable and welcoming, providing you with everything you need to get started, grow, and succeed. 

At Open House Education, we’re shifting the conversation. We’re not just another real estate group—we’re a community designed specifically to empower women with the tools, connections, and confidence they need to succeed in real estate. Our approach is rooted in collaboration, encouragement, and creativity, rather than competition and intimidation.

We understand that women often approach home buying and investing differently, valuing relationships, community, and flexibility. That’s why we create spaces for honest discussions about financial empowerment, sustainable investments, and unconventional paths like buying homes with friends. Our community prioritizes accessibility, with a strong focus on making real estate approachable and affordable for women who may not have considered it an option before.

@Cody Anderson haha thank you, I have learned a lot! Team cohesion is everything and honestly making sure you are an excellent communicator and the people you partner with are as well. One thing that's really helped me upfront is starting with honest, open conversations about our individual goals and expectations. We always do this over coffee or a casual setting where everyone feels comfortable. I also make sure we get on the same page by writing down our roles, responsibilities, and even how we'll handle potential challenges or surprises. You'll never truly know though until you jump in! I always create an LLC and an operating agreement as well. If you're interested, I've created a buying with friends quiz that gives you a full checklist of everything you need to do together, it's good for starting those important conversations. 

I have bought 10 homes all through partnering with friends or family and I love it as a strategy! But there are definitely some things to watch out for. Mixing business with personal relationships can get tricky, and you want to make sure you’re both aligned on your financial goals, expectations, and boundaries. Communication is key! I've seen partnerships thrive with clear operating agreements and a shared vision, but without that, you can hit some bumps. If you’re willing to put in the work to set things up right, it can be a beautiful way to build wealth together.

Investment Info:

Other buy & hold investment in Austin.

Our sneaky duplex is a cozy, private guest suite tucked right inside our home. With its own exterior entrance, soundproofing, and hotel-like amenities, guests have a comfortable space without ever entering our living area. This setup helps us reduce our mortgage each month and makes our home work as a true investment. Simply buying a house is not an investment! airbnb.com/h/sneakyduplex

Investment Info:

Other buy & hold investment.

Sneaky duplex is a term I coined and is when you section off part of your home and create a short term rental unit, like a hotel room. This is a cozy, private guest suite tucked right inside our home. With its own exterior entrance, soundproofing, and hotel-like amenities, guests have a comfortable space without ever entering our living area. This setup helps us reduce our mortgage each month and makes our home work as an investment.

$159,000 that my friend and I split. We also left some money in there for capital gains taxes. 

Investment Info:

Small multi-family (2-4 units) buy & hold investment in San Antonio.

Purchase price: $120,000
Cash invested: $30,000
Sale price: $250,000

This was one of the first properties I purchased! I bought it with my friend, Brent. I'm a huge fan of buying with partners and have done so with every property I own today :)

What made you interested in investing in this type of deal?

I was 25 at the time and trying to buy a house in Austin where I lived but prices were more than I could afford at the time (HA!). I also had just gotten my real estate license so a lender wouldn't lend to me on my own. I had started to go to San Antonio with my friend because he was looking in the area to potentially open a hostel.

How did you find this deal and how did you negotiate it?

We found the deal by just looking on the MLS and Loopnet. I think we were able to knock the price down about $10K and bought it at 130,000 with 30% down.

How did you finance this deal?

We worked with a bank called Sage Capital. It's a small bank in Texas and they were able to help us out. Other banks wouldn't work with us on this property because it was a bit unique. Half commercial and half duplex.

How did you add value to the deal?

We did some minor renovations...painted and put new floors in. We also hired someone to change out the water heaters and fix the foundation

Welcome to How to Buy Your First House and Make It an Investment, where you’ll learn how you can make the ultimate shift:

From: Wasting money on rent, and feeling out of control and overwhelmed by the idea of buying a house

To: Successfully becoming a homeowner, and learning how it can make you money and quickly grow your net worth
You’ll learn our BEST strategies for:

1. Homebuyer Hacks used successfully by us, our clients, and students
2. Creating positive cashflow (profit!) from your first ever property
3. Using your First Home as a Gateway to your Dream Life

WHEN: Tuesday Jan. 25th & Wednesday Jan 26th @ 7pm CT

Can't wait to see you!

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@Mike White our returns have been amazing. Last year we grossed around $6,300 a month and this year we'll probably do about $2k more a month. 

@Jason H.here is our listing! We are about 2 miles from Seaside.