your plan now should simply be to learn the basics.

If you must ask such a basic question, you really need to reconsider your investment choices...

Its a great read for learning the basics of financial management.There are ways to make money in real estate with little or no starting capital - wholesaling, birdogging, lease options, owner carries, and contract for deeds - but understand that unless you learn to be diligent and disciplined with what you have now, then when you do get more you will just be broke at a higher level.

i would like to rehab a property so i can make some money to get into renting. i am currently 18 and in college and have very little money. because i have such little money i want my first property to be the cheapest property possible so im basically looking to fix up from a shell. does anyone think this is way to much to handle for someone without experience?

I plan having 1 minor construction task done: filling in one doorway to a cubby on the 3rd floor and then knocking down a wall from the master bed to form a walk-in closet, and then professionally repainting and cleaning the place.

The housing market will turn around only when first time buyers can afford to move into housing, whether "afford" is persieved or real also plays into account the turn around in an unknown way.That is the basic crux of the housing market.

Basically, getting into a market as dynamic as downtown isn't worth looking into without experience within yourself or within the people you will work with.

I already knew the basics, but not the CRITICAL real world aspects of the business.

That would infringe on some basic rights of property ownership.

Your new friend will be glad to help you for free (although don't expect them to spoon feed you the basics).