All Forum Posts by: Joey Banasihan

Hey @Gabe Arnaud - What helped me most was realizing that getting started doesn't happen all at once. It’s all about breaking the big idea into simple, small actions and repeating them consistently—like the book The Slight Edge talks about.

Here’s what that looked like for me (and might help you too):

Step 1: I emailed a local investor-friendly lender just to grab coffee. No pressure, just to learn.

Step 2: We talked through my goals, and they gave me a simple game plan—where my credit and savings needed to be, what loan types fit, etc.

Step 3: I made progress little by little—saved a little more, tweaked my credit, asked more questions.

Step 4: I reached out to a local investor agent, had another coffee chat, and just kept stacking these little steps.

Over time, those consistent 10-minute actions added up to real momentum. Not everything clicked overnight, but it didn't have to. The key was not trying to “feel ready,” but just doing the next small thing.

You’re already on the right track by posting here and asking questions. Just keep stacking those small wins—they compound faster than you'd think.

Hey @Alli Stencil - Good question — the right move really depends on your financial situation, credit, and long-term goals. Buying an Airbnb before a primary residence can work, especially if the numbers pencil out and it cash flows well. But it’s not always the smoothest path for first-time buyers.

One thing to keep in mind: qualifying with rental income from an Airbnb can be tricky, especially if it's your first property. Lenders usually want to see a history of income or may only count a portion of it — and whether you're managing it actively or passively can affect how that income is treated for loan qualification and taxes. If you're self-managing and materially involved, it opens doors for tax benefits like depreciation and potentially Real Estate Professional Status. But if it's more passive, those benefits may be limited.

I’d definitely talk with a lender who understands investment strategies — I just helped a client who bought their primary home first, which made it easier to qualify for their investment purchase later. The structure and sequencing matter more than most people realize. You got this!

Hey @Robert George - Great to meet you, Robert. Focusing on investing is definitely an adventure — and with your background in real estate and property management, you’ve already got a strong foundation. The transition into the mortgage side will give you even more insight into financing strategies, which is huge when you're structuring deals. Good luck with these next steps!

Hey @Carissa Atendido - 

Good question, and you're on the right track by running numbers and looking across multiple markets. With high interest rates and elevated home prices, it's very common right now to see negative or low-cash-flow deals — especially when using realistic expense assumptions like yours. You’re not doing anything wrong; it’s just that cash flow is harder to come by without some kind of value-add or creative strategy.

Lately, we’ve been working with investors to shift focus toward properties with strong value-add potential — things like under-market rents, cosmetic rehab, or opportunities to convert to mid-term or short-term rentals. In this market, the reality is that the first year or two might involve carrying some costs month to month. That can still be worth it if you’re building equity, setting up better future cash flow, or gaining tax advantages.

The truth is, investors don’t usually find great deals — they create them. But more importantly, waiting around for the perfect home run deal can leave you stuck on the sidelines. Sometimes it’s better to focus on getting that first base hit— a solid learning experience with options to grow and pivot. The first deal is where you sharpen your instincts and build momentum.  Hopefully you are able to find a property to kick things off!

Hey @Bridgette Ray - First off, love that you're thinking like an investor from the start — that mindset alone will take you far. And yeah, taxes in areas like Kyle and San Marcos can be brutal, especially when you're trying to stay under budget and set yourself up for rental income.

Out of curiosity — what draws you most to Airbnb? Is it flexibility or the higher income potential? Just asking because some folks we work with end up liking the middle ground with mid-term rentals (like 30+ day furnished stays), especially near universities or hospitals. Less tax pressure, fewer headaches.

Also — have you looked into small multifamily at all? Sometimes the numbers on a duplex or triplex surprise people when you factor in owner-occupant loan options.

Even if you end up waiting, it sounds like you’re being super intentional — and that’s a win in itself. Happy to bounce ideas around or help think through how to make something pencil out without overextending.

Hey @Cameron Taylor - If you haven’t already, house hacking is 100% the best entry point, especially for someone making under $50K/year. It lets you live in the property while offsetting your mortgage and building equity — but set your expectations right: the goal isn’t immediate cash flow, it’s learning, reducing expenses, and setting up for your next move.

If you can repeat that every couple of years, even 2–4 properties in 5 years is doable. Combine that with smart saving, getting to know lenders and agents who work with investors, and treating every deal like a learning opportunity — and this stuff snowballs.

It’s not overnight success, but it can become long-term wealth and freedom. You got this.

Hey @Mark Trumble - our team for property managment does drivebys once a quarter, someone walks through the property twice a year for a visual inspection, and property owners do their own professional inspections every few years.  Our walkthroughs are done by our handmen and we have a detailed listed created by a management software they fill out on their phones as they walk through and check everything.  All of these are written within the lease and the tenants are made aware of these aspects.  We are managing millions of dollars worth of assests for investors, so we want to ensure we are providing incredible service for them.

Hey @Molly Paprota  — congrats on the duplex and taking the next step into flips! That’s a big (and exciting) leap.

I’m also just getting into flips myself — both as an investor and a licensed agent — and a couple of things have stood out so far:

1. Get really clear on your financing relationships early. Whether you’re using hard money, private lenders, or a combo, understanding who funds both the purchase and reno (and under what terms) can make or break a deal. A few great convos with lenders upfront can give you way more clarity and even spark some creative structures.

2. Team up with an agent or local partner who’s in it with you — not just in it for one check.
I’ve seen how big of a difference it makes when the agent is aligned with the investor’s success. In my market, we even structure commissions around profit splits with our flippers. That way, we both win long-term, and we end up doing 5–7 deals a year together instead of just one.

Happy to chat more if it would be helpful, always good to connect with others walking the same path. Wishing you a smooth first flip and a great team around you!

Hey @Laurence Fru - really appreciate your honesty here. Analysis paralysis is real, especially when you care about getting it right.

I work with a lot of out-of-state (and even out-of-country) investors, many of whom are in the same shoes — starting fresh, juggling life changes, and trying to find the “right” market that balances numbers and comfort level.

What’s been helpful for folks I work with is not just looking at markets, but getting really clear on your goals. Are you more focused on cash flow? Equity growth? Learning by doing? Building something flexible for your future family?

Because once we know what you are actually working toward, the market, the strategy, and the team can follow — not the other way around.

You’ve already done the hardest part — you’re still showing up

Hey @Michael Arceo - 

You don’t have to set up an LLC to get started—plenty of investors buy their first few properties in their personal name, especially early on. Whether or not it makes sense depends on your goals, how your LLC is structured, and the state you're buying in.

Some states offer very little liability protection through an LLC, so the real benefit might be minimal. That said, if asset protection is a priority, or you're planning to scale, it's worth speaking with a local attorney or CPA to make sure it aligns with your strategy.

Also, if you're investing out of state, you'll want to consider landlord-friendly laws and how your entity is treated in that state—it might be more beneficial to form your LLC where the property is located, but that's not always necessary.