If you’ve been around the Real Estate Investing world for more than five minutes, chances are you’ve heard someone mention the “BRRRR Method.” No, it’s not about being cold — it’s actually one of the most popular ways investors grow their rental portfolios without constantly needing more cash.

BRRRR stands for Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat, and it’s a smart strategy for building long-term wealth. Let’s break it down step by step in plain English.

🏡 Step 1: Buy

The first move is finding the right property — usually something that’s a bit rough around the edges. Maybe it needs some cosmetic work, or maybe it's been neglected for a while. Either way, you want to buy it below market value so you’ve got some room to add value.

Quick tip:
The numbers need to work. A good rule of thumb is the 70% Rule — buy for no more than 70% of the after-repair value (minus repairs). If the ARV is $200K and you need $30K in rehab, try to get it for around
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🏡 Real Estate Investing 101: From Curiosity to Confidence — A Must-Attend Workshop for Aspiring Investors

If you've ever wondered how to get started in Real Estate Investing but felt overwhelmed by the jargon, the risks, or simply didn’t know where to begin, GDREIA has the perfect opportunity for you. Mark your calendar for Tuesday, August 12, 2025, because Real Estate Investing 101: From Curiosity to Confidence is here to demystify the process and empower you with the tools to take action.

📅 Workshop Details

• Date & Time: Tuesday, August 12, 2025 | 6 PM – 9 PM
• Location: Live Zoom Session
• Cost: FREE for all GDREIA members
• Audience: Beginners and returning investors looking to refresh their knowledge

📘 What You’ll Learn: The Business of Real Estate

This 3-hour session is packed with foundational knowledge and practical insights. Here’s a sneak peek at the curriculum:

🔹 Laying the Foundation

• How to start your real estate business
• Building your investmen
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On our July 9^th episode of Real Life Real Estate Investing, we opened the lines for one of our favorite formats—Q&A Day. Vena tackled your real-world questions about buying, selling, renting, financing, managing, and more. If you missed it live, don’t worry—the answers are just a click away. Listen to the recording here 

And don’t forget to tune in every Wednesday at 5 PM Eastern—https://streamdb3web.securenetsystems.net/cirrusencore/WMKVFM.

 Real Estate Investing isn’t inherently difficult or complicated. Like many investors from my generation, we simply bought a house, made the necessary repairs, and rented it out. There were no computers, no internet—just a few books at the library, and that was about it.

 Ever feel like you're putting in a ton of effort into your business or investments, but the results just aren't matching up? It's a common frustration, and it often leads to one major problem: burnout.

As GDREIA Vendor member, Chad Harris, discusses in his latest podcast, burnout isn't just about working hard; it's often the direct result of putting in effort and not seeing the desired outcomes. When we feel like we're spinning our wheels, it's natural to get discouraged!

The Common Trap (and The Real Solution):
Many of us believe that if we just work harder on everything, success will follow. We try to manage every detail, pursue every opportunity, and perfect every task. While dedication is crucial, this "scattergun" approach can be counterproductive.

The truth is, we don't have to put massive effort into all actions.   The real secret [...] lies in identifying the one or two key areas that will truly move the needle forward. Then, it's about applying "massive
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Indulge me in a fable, and see if it jibes with your current, or perhaps past, experience as a developing real estate entrepreneur:

You’re standing on a sidewalk with your nose an inch away from a brick. It’s a good brick. You’ve studied it for a while, and you’ve come to the conclusion that it’s reddish, rough, and surrounded on all four sides by parts of other bricks. You’ve looked at it long enough to decide that it’s a pretty great brick.

Someone walks by and asks, what are you doing? Looking at this brick, you reply.

Are you sure it’s a brick you’re looking at? the stranger queries. You might want to take a step back, because there’s more to see here than you think.

So, you take a step back, and you realize that he’s right: the brick you’ve been so obsessed with is just one of many. In fact, from your new perspective, you notice out of the corner of your eye that there’s also something else--a hole, with glass and wood in it. I
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If you don’t think that Real Estate Investing is a relationship business, you haven’t been paying attention. 

It’s your connections with other investors that bring you the local knowledge, the referrals to the right professionals, the money, the partnerships, and the deals that let you prosper now, and for years to come.   

But these relationships don’t ‘just happen’ for most people. You have to be intentional about building and maintaining them, just like you’re intentional (I hope) about building a rental portfolio, or a buyer’s list, or a marketing plan.   

Cincinnati REIA exists, in large part, to provide a platform for you to find and interact with like-minded folks who can encourage and help you be successful, but you have to do your part, too. Here are some tips for the 95% of us who aren’t just natural ‘connectors’:  

1. Be intentional about your professional development. There’s no job you can have or business you can be
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In the world of Real Estate Investing, finding the right financing option can be the key to success. One of the most effective loan products that has gained significant attention in recent years is the Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR) loan. DSCR loans are especially popular among real estate investors due to their flexibility and streamlined approval process. These loans are tailored for investors seeking to maximize their portfolios without relying on personal income or traditional credit scores. Here’s why real estate investors should consider DSCR loans as a financing solution.

What is a DSCR Loan?

A DSCR loan is a type of financing where the lender evaluates the borrower’s ability to repay the loan based on the income generated by the property itself, rather than the borrower’s personal income or credit score. The debt service coverage ratio is a financial metric that compares the property’s net operating income (NOI) to the total debt obligations, typically the mortgage principal and interest, taxes, insurance, and any homeowner’s association fees. A DSCR ratio of 1.0 or
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Finding the Right Real Estate Leads and Deals in Any Economy, Regardless of Interest Rates and House Prices

Real Estate Investing has long been one of the most reliable ways to build wealth. But with constant shifts in the economy—whether rising interest rates, fluctuating house prices, or changing market conditions—it can sometimes feel like a challenge to find the right deals. The good news is that it’s possible to succeed in any economy, and you don’t need to let interest rates or housing market trends throw you off track.

Whether you’re just starting out or have years of experience under your belt, there are proven strategies you can use to consistently find the right leads and deals. In this blog, we’ll explore how to find deals in any economy and how you can adapt your approach to continue profiting from real estate, no matter what the market throws at you.

1. Focus on the Fundamentals: Motivated Sellers Don’t Care About Interest Rates

While interest rates and house prices often make the headlines, motivated sellers are the heart of any real estate deal—and they don’t care about the current economic trends. Motivated sellers are people who need to sell their property for reasons beyond market conditions. They might be facing financial hardship, going through a divorc
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Unlocking Success in Real Estate: Creative Leads for New Investors with MnREIA

Real estate investment is an exciting and lucrative venture—but for many new investors, it can seem daunting. With so many options, from traditional buying and selling to flipping homes and rental properties, where do you even start? One of the most important lessons any investor can learn early on is that creative leads are the key to finding profitable deals.

If you’re a beginner looking to jump into real estate, the idea of finding properties that offer true value might seem overwhelming. But don't worry! There are countless creative strategies you can use to find leads and set yourself up for success. In fact, creative leads are often what separate average investors from the truly successful ones.

Let’s explore some of the most effective ways new investors can tap into creative leads, find opportunities that others may overlook, and start building their real estate portfolios—especially when you partner with organizations like MnREIA (Minnesota Real Estate Investors Association) to accelerate your growth.

1. Look Beyond the MLS: The Power of Off-Market Deals

As a new investor, it’s tempting to focus all your efforts on properties listed on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS)—but here’s the truth: competition on the MLS can be fier
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