However, can you buy real estate without using any of your own money?

Joint ventures entail utilizing your own money to buy properties with others.

I’m looking into buying a rental(s) in this area.

Quote from @Nicholas Klaene: Hello,I'm currently looking to buy my first rental.

Investment Info:Single-family residence buy & hold investment in Riverdale.

Then, if you can trend over time you'll want to see where the "path of progress" is going/moving and attempt to buy in that path of progress to gain some appreciation in the future.

Recommend you first figure out the property Class you want to invest in, THEN figure out the corresponding location to invest in.Property Class will typically dictate the Class of tenant you get, which greatly IMPACTS rental income stability and property maintenance/damage by tenants.If you apply Class A assumptions to a Class B or C purchase, your expectations won’t be met and it may be a financial disaster.If you buy/renovate a property in Class D area to Class A standards, what quality of tenant will you get?

Turnkey, buy-and-holds, flips, or something else?

The BRRRR method (Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat) could also be a great strategy to recycle your capital.To find deals, try direct mail campaigns targeting absentee owners or distressed properties, or go driving for dollars in neighborhoods with strong rental potential.

Investment Info:Small multi-family (2-4 units) buy & hold investment.