Episode #1226 Try REsimpli, The Only All-In-One Real Estate Investor CRM Software That Helps You Manage Data, Marketing, Sales, and Operations: https://resimpli.com/biggerpockets?utm_source=bigger_pockets&utm_medium=youtube_qr_code&utm_campaign=real_estate_show *This is how to buy a rental property* in 2026. You don’t need experience, a big bank account, or a complicated spreadsheet. Anyone can follow these seven steps to acquire (at least) one rental property by the end of 2026. Real estate investments are one of the best ways to grow wealth, reach financial freedom, and retire early. But you need to start with your first rental property to get to your end goal. We know how to do it because both Dave and Henry went from *zero rentals (and almost no money) to financially independent* investors. It took Dave 15 years, but Henry only 7. And you might be able to do it faster. We’ll start by helping you define your goal: how much passive income do you want and by when? Then, how to pick the right strategy, market, and property to fit that goal. We’ll share key rules of thumb to help you analyze (calculate the profit of) your first rental and understand what a “good deal” really looks like. Then, how to make offers, manage your first rental, and repeat it, so you can reach financial freedom. This isn’t theory; we’ve followed these seven steps to achieve life-changing passive income. Now, it’s your turn. Episode Show Notes: https://lnk.to/biggerpocketsYT Join BiggerPockets for FREE 👇 https://www.biggerpockets.com/signup?utm_source=owned_media Let Us Know What You Thought of the Show! https://www.BiggerPockets.com/Podcastfeedback Grab Dave’s Book, _Start with Strategy_ : https://store.biggerpockets.com/products/start-with-strategy?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=none Sign Up for the BiggerPockets Real Estate Newsletter: https://www.biggerpockets.com/email-subscribe?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=none Find Investor-Friendly Lenders: http://biggerpockets.com/findlenders Try the BiggerPockets Real Estate Investment Calculators: https://www.biggerpockets.com/investment-calculators?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=none Connect with Henry: https://www.biggerpockets.com/users/henryw22?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=none Connect with Dave: https://www.biggerpockets.com/users/davem27?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=none 00:00 Intro 01:19 Why Rental Properties? 01:35 Table of Contents 04:24 1. Define What You Want/Need 04:39 Add Text on Screen for the 7 Steps 09:32 2. Pick a Strategy (THEN a Market) 14:09 Sponsor: REsimpli! 14:50 3. Find a Property/Talk to Lenders 20:34 4. Analyze Properties (Calculate Numbers) 25:34 What Is a “Good” Deal? 30:26 5. Make Offers (Biggest Mistake) 35:38 6. Close and Manage (First 90 Days) 40:25 7. What’s Next?