Real Estate Rookie
BiggerPockets
Ready to build your real estate empire… but not sure where to begin?Think of us as your personal trainer.From detailed breakdowns of real-world deals… to one-on-one coaching sessions and a warm, welcoming community… hosts Ashley Kehr and Tony J Robinson bring on a wide range of guests to tackle the “newbie” questions you've wondered about but might be afraid to ask.Looking to 10X your real estate investing business this year? This show isn’t for you.Looking for your first, second, or third deal -- or envisioning a more modest portfolio? Step right up. Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, we’ll arm you with the tips, tools, and roadmaps you'll need as you embark on your journey toward financial freedom.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 27, 2026 • 19min
The Best Types of Rental Properties for Beginners to Buy in 2026 (Rookie Reply)
They compare condos, townhomes, single-family homes and multifamily properties for new investors. They explain a three-bucket prep plan covering education, self-assessment and financial readiness. They show how to pick markets for cash flow and what to do if local prices are unaffordable. They highlight financing-first tactics and practical steps to move from research to action.
Mar 25, 2026 • 43min
10+ Things to Inspect Before You Buy a Rental Property (Foundation to Roof)
Ellie Ridge, a Bay Area agent and home-inspection pro raised around construction, teaches buyers what to inspect. She covers foundations and crawlspaces, electrical panel hazards, roof condition signs, plumbing materials, drainage, and smart due diligence tactics. Short, practical walk-throughs help listeners know what to look for before buying.
Mar 23, 2026 • 47min
8 Real Estate Deals in 2 Years While Working Full-Time (Raising 4 Kids)
Molly Shepard, a U.S. Army veteran, busy mom of four and full-time loan officer who built a fast-moving real estate business. She talks about juggling W-2 work and parenting while completing eight deals in two years. Hear how she sources off-market properties, funds flips with little to no cash, and tightened processes after a costly oversight.
Mar 20, 2026 • 19min
The “Boring” Rental Strategy That Could Retire You by Your 40s (Rookie Reply)
A practical 20-year roadmap for building a rental portfolio and reaching financial independence. How to choose investable markets using population, jobs, and price-to-rent metrics. Strategies like house hacking to accelerate growth and buy more properties. Where to look for short-term rental rules and how zoning changes can upend STR markets.
Mar 18, 2026 • 40min
The Lazy Investor’s Guide to Real Estate Syndications (Passive Income)
A deep dive into syndications: pooled capital, GP vs LP roles, and how passive investing compares to owning rentals. Rules about accredited investors and 506B/506C differences get explained. Hear what sponsors do day to day, how payouts and fees work, and the top red flags and worst-case risks to watch for when vetting deals.
Mar 16, 2026 • 45min
She Started Investing in Her 50s, Now She’ll Retire with Rentals!
Beth Smart, a real estate investor who rebuilt her finances after divorce and IRS debt, shares her comeback story. She talks about starting with an Airbnb cabin, turning insurance and flip profits into rentals, handling contractors who quit, and scaling through flips, short-term and long-term rentals. Expect candid stories about grit, pivots, and practical paths to building a cash-flowing portfolio after 50.
13 snips
Mar 13, 2026 • 28min
How to Buy Rentals (Faster) with Real Estate-Related Skills (Rookie Reply)
They explore using remodeling, deal-finding, and property management skills to speed up building a rental portfolio. They discuss sweat-equity partnerships, structuring deals, and local advantages. Practical systems and tools for self-managing rentals and automating tenant tasks get highlighted. They also tackle buyer’s remorse scenarios, inspection limits, and when to involve an attorney.
Mar 11, 2026 • 55min
He Made $65,000/Month on His First Rental Arbitrage “Contract” (Real Numbers!)
Noble Crawford, a real estate investor who shifted from short-term arbitrage to securing multi-million dollar federal lodging contracts. He shares how his first contract made $65,000/month and how he landed a $44M Navy deal. Topics include finding federal opportunities, bidding and proposal tactics, contract types and lengths, financing furnishings, and negotiating landlord rates for predictable rental income.
Mar 9, 2026 • 38min
From Homeless to Homeowner with a 7-Bedroom Rental Property
Isaac Mann, a real estate investor who went from living in a box truck to co-owning a seven-bedroom rental, tells his story. He explains how a rent-by-the-room house-hack worked, why they pivoted to an FHA loan, and what to do when a lender backs out. Short, practical tales of partnerships, quick repairs, and making a big buy with little cash.
9 snips
Mar 6, 2026 • 30min
Is the 2026 Housing Market Finally Becoming “Unstuck”? (Rookie Reply)
They discuss whether 2026 could be a prime time to buy rental property and how investors should tweak strategies. Practical tips for closing day, inspections, and avoiding costly surprises are covered. They explain finding accurate comps and estimating after-repair value when evaluating deals remotely. Advice on mortgage shopping and adapting underwriting in a shifting market rounds out the conversation.
