I always tell people that when I got started in the industry, I expected future-me to always look back on the amazing deals I was able to close.

You might see soft spots on the floors—they’re one of the most common mobile home faults.

We are in a highly sought after vacation spot that is growing.

Austin took the No. 1 spot with the second-highest ranking for the percentage of total employment in startups at 5% and a 14.3% GDP growth

Welcome @Rebecca Morris,These are the 10 first steps I would recommend to get started in REI (real estate investing):1) Educate Yourself: Read books, take online courses, and attend seminars about real estate basics, market trends, and investment strategies.2) Set Clear Goals: Define what you want to achieve in real estate—whether it’s buying a home, investing in rental properties, or flipping houses.3) Choose Your Niche: Decide if you want to focus on residential, commercial, or industrial real estate, or perhaps a mix of these.4) Research the Market: Analyze your local real estate market.

Hi Nico,Thank you for your post, You mentioned that hiring a few virtual assistants (VAs) to cold call has been effective, and that text messaging is also performing decently,I specialize in identifying and revitalizing unique properties—those that are not typical, for example, I recently spotted a triangle-shaped property that has the potential to be transformed into something beautiful and valuable, either for living or resale, Could you please share your approach and any guidance you might have on the process of using virtual assistants (VAs) to cold call and the text messaging strategies that have been effective for you?

I am smart and know when the ship of the industry is sinking or taking on water.

IREM President Libby Ekre, CPM, shares five essential things to look for:Licenses & Certifications – Ensure the firm has certifications like CPM or ARM, guaranteeing adherence to industry standards.Regional Experience – Local market knowledge is crucial, especially for properties in smaller cities.Property Type Expertise – Match the company’s strengths with your specific property type for better management.Company Culture – Look for a firm that values customer service and team management.

But some nice spots for first-time homebuyers. 

With $50,000 to $100,000 for down payments, you're in a good spot to start building your portfolio in the Chicago suburbs.Here's how it breaks down:Budgeting for Down Payments: Investment properties typically require a 20-25% down payment.