All Forum Posts by: Zoe Brennan

That’s smart! Living in the properties while fixing them up is a great way to build equity and keep costs low. I really look up to that level of commitment and hustle—definitely inspiring and great way to start out!

You're absolutely right, and I really appreciate your insight! Networking is such a crucial part of real estate investing, and I definitely want to focus on building strong relationships and finding great partnerships. Is there anything specific that helped you network more effectively? Your experience with partnering and leveraging fix & flips to acquire long-term assets is really inspiring. Thanks for sharing!

I really appreciate the advice. This is exactly the kind of guidance I was looking for. House hacking and BRRRR are definitely strategies I'm considering, and I'll be sure to focus on strong rental markets and careful analysis. I'm currently looking in the Milwaukee, WI area—it seems to be a great spot to invest. Thank you for your helpful input!

Thank you! I really appreciate the positive and helpful advice. House hacking with an FHA loan is definitely a great way to start, and surrounding yourself with the right people makes all the difference. Looking forward to connecting!

Dan, 

Thank you for the valuable advice! I really appreciate the thought you've put into this strategy. I love the idea of slow, consistent growth while focusing on building skills over time. The FHA and 203K loan approach makes a lot of sense, especially with the potential for equity and cash flow.

It’s encouraging to see someone who’s taken a long-term, strategic approach to building wealth. Your story of scaling up really gives me confidence that it’s possible to grow and become highly successful, step by step. I’ll definitely check out your thread on your $20M portfolio journey.

Thanks again for sharing your experience!

Hi, 

I appreciate your insight! I understand that $25K isn’t a huge amount in real estate, but I also know that plenty of investors have started with similar or even less. My goal is to be strategic—whether that means house hacking, leveraging financing, or finding creative ways to maximize returns.

I’m looking to invest in real estate because that’s what I’m truly interested in and where I want to put my money. As a realtor, it makes the most sense for me to invest in the real estate market rather than financial markets. I’m always open to learning, but my focus is on getting into real estate and scaling from there.

I’m looking to connect with other investors and grow my network. Are there any real estate investor meetups in the Milwaukee or Kenosha, WI areas that you recommend? 

I’m eager to learn more and want to constantly be around like-minded people to keep growing in this space!

Hey BP Community,

We all know real estate investing requires money, but not everyone starts with deep pockets. Some of the most successful investors got creative to land their first deal—and that’s exactly what I’m looking to learn from.

If you started with limited capital, what strategies helped you land your first deal?

I’m actively growing my network, attending meetups, and soaking up as much knowledge as possible. I know some common strategies include:

• Wholesaling
• Seller Financing
• House Hacking
• Joint Ventures
• Private/Hard Money Lending

For those who’ve been in my shoes, what worked for you? What would you do differently if you were starting over? What lessons did you learn, and what advice would you give to someone in the same position today?

I’m also looking to invest in the Milwaukee, WI area, so if anyone has tips or knows of good opportunity areas, I’d love to hear about it!

Looking forward to hearing some great advice—let’s help each other grow!

Hi Arn!

I really appreciate you sharing your experience and insights—hearing from someone who has built long-term success in real estate is invaluable. I completely understand that real estate is a slow and steady game, and I don’t expect overnight success. That’s exactly why I’m starting early—I want to give myself as much time as possible to learn, grow, and make smart, strategic investments.

When I mentioned “scaling quickly,” I didn’t mean rushing the process or expecting one deal to be life-changing. Rather, I want to make the best possible moves early on to build momentum and position myself for long-term, consistent growth. Your point about focusing on making consistent investments over time really resonates with me, and that’s exactly what I want to plan for.

Given today’s market, do you still think starting with a small rental is the best first step if possible? Or would you recommend passive investing in syndications as a better way to gain exposure and build capital before transitioning into direct ownership?

Thanks again for your time and perspective—I truly appreciate it!

I’m looking for the smartest way to invest $25K to generate the best returns and scale my portfolio as quickly as possible. My goal is to make the most strategic move that maximizes profit while managing risk effectively.

If you had $25K to invest, what would be the best option? Would you put it toward a down payment on a long-term rental, BRRRR, house hacking, partnerships, or another strategy? What type of real estate would you target—single-family, multifamily, commercial, etc?

For those with experience, what has worked best for you? Any key factors to consider or lessons learned when trying to scale efficiently?

Appreciate any insights—looking forward to learning and connecting!