If you’ve spent any length of time trying to “succeed” in life, then you’ve probably turned to self-help books at some point. Most real estate investors have sought out lists of recommended self-development books. Many titles appear on list after list. Once you notice those titles, you might be…

These days it seems everyone is looking for the amenities of city living while maintaining that small-town feel. They want to run into folks they know at the coffee shop and become a “regular” at the restaurant around the corner. All this, access to top-notch universities, and an agreeable climate…

The net operating income (NOI) of a multifamily property is as important to real estate investors as blood pressure and heart rate are to a cardiologist. They’re all predictors of health. As a property owner/operator there is a never-ending quest to implement strategies that help wring out a few…

When it comes to RE investing, if you’ve been listening to the BP podcast, roaming the forums, or reading the blog, you’ve no doubt heard many people asking the question: “How many loans can I have?” For those embarking on a new journey (which RE investing usually is), it is completely natural to…

What makes a state a good place for real estate investors? There is actually a very big difference in how investor friendly different states operate—especially for landlords. Make sure you know the differences, as well as the advantages and disadvantages, of these markets. These can dramatically…

Regardless of the endeavor, often times the first step is the hardest to take. Fortunately, when it comes to funding deals, step one is fairly straightforward. Newbies: Learn This Important Tip for Funding Properties In today’s video, I’ll tell you where to begin. What’s even better is that this…

As co-host of the How to Lose Money podcast, you may think I’m just going to say that “losing money is the surest way to destroy your real estate career.” I could say that, but it would be a very short post. You would probably not read it, and I’d probably get fired by BiggerPockets. So, let’s dive…

If you’ve just moved, hitting the gym or joining a group fitness class can be a great opportunity to de-stress and disconnect from the pressures of unpacking and settling in . If you attended exercise classes or the gym regularly in your previous locale, it can also help you ease back into your…

By 6:00 pm ET January 11, 2019 January 11, 2019 Getty Images; realtor.com “House Party” is realtor.com’s official podcast about the overlapping worlds of real estate and pop culture. Click the player above to hear our takes on this week’s hot topics. It’s January, so that means three things are for…

Was your New Year’s resolution to buy a home in 2019? That’s great—if you can afford it. But for many people, purchasing property just might be a pipe dream (at least for the moment). America is facing a significant affordable housing shortage, something likely to deter lots of would-be buyers from…

The Klump estate in L.A.'s Toluca Lake neighborhood takes the sweetest parts of its 1920s origins and mixes them with smart, contemporary updates. The historic home is now on the market for the very 2019 price of $5.5 million. Toluca Lake is close to the major movie studios and has long been favored…

There’s a lot to love about working in the property management industry, but the job can also be pretty stressful and emotional. We hear it all the time: property management burnout is real, and it takes a toll on your business. Workplace burnout is often caused by factors like overwhelming job…

Your first investment will be a learning process. While you’ll definitely make a few mistakes along the way, there are a few common pitfalls that can be avoided if you educate yourself beforehand. From financing errors to underestimating repair costs, newbies are at risk to lose serious cash if…

The best way to succeed in investment is to learn from the strategies (and mistakes) that other investors have made. And while it’s easy and free to learn from the investors in your network, your network has limited knowledge. Utilize your network, but also consider reading books about investment—or…

If you’re longing for wild expanses of forests and lakes, cold winters with lots of snow, and some of the friendliest folks you’ll ever meet, Minneapolis, Minnesota, has all that and more. Now home to many Fortune 500 companies and growing in recognition for its medical and tech research,…

It’s no secret that when moving from one home to another, the move distance between the two homes will determine, to a large extent, how the entire move will be carried out. In reality, there’s a substantial difference between preparing for a cross-country move where the final destination (the new…

When you purchase a rental property, it may come with tenants in place, and those tenants will suddenly become YOUR tenants. These tenants are known as “inherited tenants.” Inherited tenants can be beneficial, as you will not need to immediately spend time filling the vacant unit, and you’ll be…

As mentioned in my last article, “How to Invest Your Money When You’re NOT a High Net Worth Investor,” saving money to invest and then investing it strategically can be tough when you’re just starting out. It was tough for me, too. Looking back now, after 30 years of investing in real estate, there…

When you think of Anchorage, Alaska, the first thing that comes to mind is probably something like “cold,” “fish”, or “skiing.” You may not necessarily think of a city that has great restaurants. So, boy, will you be surprised to discover that Anchorage is home to all sorts of delicious, tasty, and…

Many real estate investors complain that there are few deals to be found in the market today. It’s wise to be more selective, and there may be more competition for some properties in some markets. Still, I’m keeping my pipeline full with leads. Here’s how. 5 Ways I’m Still Finding Deals in Today’s…

As I was browsing through my notifications this morning on BiggerPockets, I came across a question that quite frankly scares the crap out of me. “Why do I need to get a real estate agent involved?” If you’re a seasoned investor, then maybe I can understand trying to get by without an agent. But if…

I admit it. I’m a recovering engineer. Truth be told, I should never have gone to engineering school. I didn’t know myself at all. I didn’t know my strengths and weaknesses, my likes and dislikes. I didn’t know I was created to be an entrepreneur and certainly didn’t know about the power of real…

There are a lot of reasons why renting is an ideal way to go when it comes to finding housing. Maybe you prefer the flexibility of not having a mortgage, or the freedom of not needing to worry about fixing major items – whatever your reasoning, you’ve decided to rent. But what if you want to do some…

The links to third-party products and services on this page are affiliate links, meaning that BiggerPockets may earn a commission (at no additional cost to you) if you click through and make a purchase. During the lease signing, when you get to the part that says how much the monthly rent is, this…

There has been a lot of discussion on BiggerPockets about whether it’s worth getting your broker’s license, but the question of whether to get your CCIM (Certified Commercial Investment Member) has been left mostly unanswered. I touched on what such a designation offers here, but it certainly isn’t…

Let’s say you have a totally renovated, totally perfect rental property. You’re really proud of it, and you should be! The property didn’t just come together out of thin air. It didn’t will itself into your portfolio. There was the acquisition. Maybe you even negotiated it right from the seller. Or…

“Cash flow” is a term that comes up in most conversations on real estate investing—and for good reason. As a landlord, if the rent you charge is significantly higher than your expenses, that difference can not only help you build wealth but can also serve as a potential cash cushion, there to soften…

For my first article on BiggerPockets, I’d like to address what seems to be the most contentious issue in real estate right now: the coming crash. Let me start by saying that I don’t know when or how the next recession will unfold, how severe it will be, or what will be impacted most—and neither do…

Moving oversized furniture is never fun. Picture the following moving day scenario – your large furniture pieces are already packed up and you’re about to take them out to the moving vehicle, one by one. And then, as you’re carrying the large living room couch with a couple of friends, something…