.🎯 Your 6-Month Timeline:Month 1: Foundation (5-7 hours/week)Morning routine: 1 hour daily market researchEvening routine: Deal analysis practiceWeekend: BP forums & networkingKey Goal: Analyze 10 deals on paperMonth 2: Education (8-10 hours/week)Complete 1 RE courseJoin 2 local REI groupsSchedule lunch breaks with agentsKey Goal: Build your initial power team listMonth 3: Systems (10-12 hours/week)Set up deal tracking systemCreate document templatesEstablish banking relationshipsKey Goal: Ready to make offersMonth 4: Lead Generation (12-15 hours/week)Drive neighborhoods after workWeekend open housesSetup automated MLS alertsKey Goal: Generate first 5 qualified leadsNow, the Owners and Brokers you deal with may not enjoy this, but you can certainly "practice" making offers.  

"Before borrowing money from a friend, decide which you need most".

You need a management plan in a market to make it viable.

Here are some practical steps and strategies to consider:## Single Family and Small Multifamily HomesWhen looking at single-family and small multifamily homes in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin, make sure to analyze the local market trends, rental yields, and property appreciation rates.

Many of my clients are adding on to make their properties a 4/2.

It doesn't make sense as a first investment, especially when your main reason is because you "enjoy speaking Spanish and salsa dancing".

I'd underwrite the deal as any other - make sure you are conformable with the quality & tenant base. 

I know some people have the knack and others simply can't make it happen.

Even if you aren't making a lot of money on any appreciation, you've been taking depreciation each year.

I won't say how many offers we make on properties for ourselves or clients in a typical week.