It was simple math.

I could either go to college, get a business degree, and graduate with a ton of debt and zero experience…

OR I could jump straight into the real estate game and start building my portfolio.

I chose the later and decided to skip out on college to pursue real estate investing full-time. 

My parents weren’t surprised when I called and told them—school had never been my thing anyway.

But MAN did other people have things to say.

I had friends telling me I would fail. That it was too risky.

My parent’s friends questioned how I would succeed without a college degree., telling me that I would end up living with my parents for the rest of my life.

I heard it all. But I was sick and tired of living a life I didn’t like.

Real estate had always interested me, but I didn’t know anyone without grey hair in the game.

I cold emailed some investors in my area and received one response recommending a local Real Estate Meetup. I showed up to the meeting not knowing anyone and just started introducing myself to the people there, eager to learn how to get into the game.

By the end of the meeting, I had two job offers to work for investors there. I took one of them, and immediately started learning all aspects of the real estate investing business.

Now, I’m 20 years old and currently own four properties.

Has it been easy? Not even close.

But here’s what I’ve learned: small, consistent action always reaps the best results.

When I first started, I made it a goal to reach out to five property owners every day.

Most never responded or said no, but here’s where the power of following up with people is important. Every six months or so I would reach back out and follow up letting them know I was still interested in buying the property. Life changes quickly, and people change their minds. When I reached back out to this particular owner almost a year and a half later he finally said, “Yes, I want to sell my fourplex”.

It’s funny...you get so used to people saying “Beat it” or “No” that when he said “Yes” I couldn’t believe it!

After a little bit of negotiation, I got it under contract for $375k (it was worth about $415-430k). There just one tiny little problem...I was 19 years old and had about 3k to my name.

I couldn't qualify for FHA or Conventional financing and a hard money loan at 12% interest wasn't going to do it. So I decided to wholesale it to an investor for 415k, and I ended up making about 28k after closing costs and fees. Yes, it was cool to make 28k, but I still was frustrated because I didn’t hit my goal—to buy my first property. A few months later I learned about seller-financing and decided that this was the strategy for me!

I kept reaching out to owners, and eventually another one bit. A few coffee meet-ups and negotiations later, I closed on my first property.

Here’s the point: it takes small steps to hit your goals. You don’t have to hit a home run your first at bat, but you can get to first base.

My name is Conner Kinney.

I’ve been playing the real estate game for about two years now. I still have a TON to learn, mistakes to make, and relationships to grow, but I’m in the game and that’s what matters.

And I want to help others like me go against the grain get into the real estate game.