
businessJul 1, 202637:28pending
3 Ways to Fund Your First Real Estate Deal Without 20% Down
About this episode
What’s stopping you from buying your very first rental property? For most rookies, it’s rarely ever the market, the interest rates, or even the competition–it's a number in their head. Today, we’re breaking down that barrier with real rookie use cases that will inspire you to take that next step in your real estate investing journey!
Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! In this episode, we’re sharing three ways to fund real estate deals that have actually worked for past Rookie guests. None of these creative financing options require 20% down, none of them require a traditional bank, and one of them doesn't involve a lender at all! We dive into how hard money loans work and when they make sense, how to find a seller who'll say yes to seller financing, and the levers you can pull to structure your deal. Ashley also shares her hard money horror story so you don't have to learn those lessons the expensive way!
If you've been sitting on the sidelines because you don't think you have enough money to invest, this conversation will give you the knowledge and confidence to get started today!
In This Episode We Cover
Hard money—what it is, how lenders make money, and when it actually makes sense for a rookie
Ashley's hard money horror story and the exact questions you need to ask
How to structure a seller financing deal as a complete beginner
Real seller financing case studies (from past Rookie guests!)
The right (and wrong) reasons to bring in an equity partner on your real estate deal
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-738.
Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email [email protected].
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Get every episode summarized
Each time Real Estate Rookie publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.
Email me new episodesFree for 3 shows. No card needed.
Hosts & guests
No transcript yet
This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.
More episodes
More from Real Estate Rookie

He Started 8 Months Ago. He Already Has 4 Rentals ($6,000 Cash Flow!)
Real Estate Rookie
Sep 7, 202631:09completed

How to Buy Your First Multifamily Rental With Low Money (Rookie Reply)
Real Estate Rookie
Sep 4, 202623:21completed

Build Your First Rental (DON'T Buy One) in 2026
Real Estate Rookie
Sep 2, 202639:04pending

He Made $60,000 in 2 Months with This “Failed” Real Estate Deal
Real Estate Rookie
Aug 31, 202646:55pending