7 Steps to Getting Started in Real Estate Investing | Coastal Equity Group

7 Steps to Getting Started in Real Estate Investing

Getting started in real estate investing can feel a little intimidating. But every investor you admire was once exactly where you are, standing at step one.

Whether you’re dreaming about your first rental, planning a BRRRR, or just trying to wrap your head around where to begin, here’s a simple, down-to-earth path to get you moving confidently.

Dream Big & Get Clear on Your “Why”

Before spreadsheets, financing, or property tours, take a minute to define what you actually want out of investing.

Are you building long-term wealth? Hoping to supplement income? Wanting less trading time for money?
Your goals set the tone for everything else. The strategy you choose, the properties you consider, even how much risk feels comfortable.

Investing becomes a lot easier when you’re not chasing “what everyone else is doing,” but instead building toward something personal.

Pick Your Path: Choose a Strategy That Fits Your Life

There’s no single “right” strategy. Flipping, BRRRR, buy-and-hold, short-term rentals, house-hacking… they all work when paired with the right investor.

A few quick cues:

• If you want slower, steady growth → long-term rentals
• If you like active projects → flips or BRRRR
• If you’re starting with limited capital → house-hacking or partnering
• If you want cash flow fast → mid-term or short-term rentals

You don’t have to commit forever. Just pick a starting lane that aligns with your goals and available bandwidth.

Money Talks: Understand Your Financing Options

Financing isn’t the “scary part” it’s actually your biggest asset once you understand how the tools work.

You’ll want to learn the basics of:

• Conventional loans vs DSCR loans
• Hard-money loans for flips or BRRRR deals
• Private lenders vs institutional lenders
• HELOCs and home-equity options

Different deals require different tools. If you’re renovating, you’ll likely need fast, flexible financing. If you’re holding long-term, you’ll need to understand rental refinance options.

The more familiar you are with lending, the more confidently you can run numbers and negotiate deals even before you buy your first property.

Run the Math Like an Investor

This is where deals are won or lost.
Before you fall in love with a property, run the numbers with real-world assumptions:

• Rent that matches current comps
• Vacancy that’s realistic for the neighborhood
• Conservative repairs (because something always comes up)
• Interest rates where they actually are today, not five years ago
• Taxes, insurance, maintenance (the “boring” stuff that makes or breaks cash flow)

Analyzing deals takes practice, not perfection. The more you do it, the sharper your instincts become.

Build Your Team Before You Need Them

Real estate is technically an “individual investment,” but you don’t get far alone.

You’ll eventually want:

• An investor-friendly agent
• A reliable contractor
• A lender who understands your strategy
• A solid insurance partner
• An accountant who works with real estate investors
• A property manager if you don’t want to self-manage

The earlier you meet and connect with the right people, the easier every step becomes. Conversations with the right people can save you thousands not just in money, but in avoided mistakes.

Know Your Market Like a Local

Once you’ve picked your strategy and financing lane, it’s time to dive into the market itself.

Look for:

• Neighborhoods with job growth or new development
• Areas with strong rental demand
• Zip codes where older homes offer value-add potential
• Markets where the numbers work even if things don’t go perfectly

Spend time studying comps, driving neighborhoods, and tracking local trends. You’ll start to notice patterns that new investors often miss and that’s where opportunities live.

Take Your First Small Step 

The hardest part is rarely buying the property. It’s taking the first step before that.
Here are low-stress ways to build momentum:

• Analyze five deals a week
• Call one lender, agent, or investor
• Walk a property, even if you’re not ready to buy
• Get pre-approved
• Connect with other investors who are already doing what you want to do

Every small step builds confidence. Before you know it, you’re not “thinking about investing”… you’re actually doing it.

Real estate investing isn’t reserved for the wealthy, the fearless, or the people with decades of experience. It’s for anyone willing to learn, plan, and take steady, intentional action.

And the first move doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to happen.

If you ever need help understanding the numbers, or clarity on financing options available today, our team is always happy to walk through scenarios with you. Sometimes a quick conversation is all it takes to move from overwhelmed to confident.

We’re ready when you are.

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