How to Turn One Condo Into a 17-Unit Rental Portfolio!

Getting into an expensive market can feel completely out of reach for a rookie. But today’s guest looked at the numbers and realized that if he worked this in his favor, he could build reliable, long-term wealth. That math led him to 17 doors across three states, and today, he’s breaking down all his tips so you can start, and scale, too!

Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! In December 2009, Rick Albert was a broke college senior when he was introduced to a successful real estate investor. That meeting sent Rick down a path that started with an LA condo that many overlooked. He managed to see past the issues, and house hacked the unit with just 10% down.

That single deal became the foundation for everything: a HELOC that funded an ambitious ADU conversion, a renovation that took three times longer than planned, and eventually a portfolio spanning 17 units across 3 states, with his business partner. 

Today Rick breaks down his advice on investing in high-cost markets, the numbers behind his deals, and what he'd do differently if he had to start over with no money. He also covers the unusual trick he used to cover his own closing costs, and what he did with the $228K he walked away with when he finally sold that first condo! 

If you've ever assumed a market like LA is off-limits for a rookie, this episode says otherwise! 

In This Episode We Cover

How to turn a "problem" property into your first house hack

Why cash flow isn't the only way to build wealth

How to use a HELOC (home equity line of credit) to fund your next deal

Why moving into your own rental can unlock a better refinance without an appraisal

How to keep a renovation alive when the money runs short

What to do with a six-figure gain once you sell