--- title: "The First Rental Property Path | Addicted to ROI" description: "Still have a W-2? Start here. This is the exact order I would read it in to go from "I think I want a rental" to wiring earnest money on your first deal, without quitting the day job." lang: en json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://addictedtoroi.com/#organization", "name": "Addicted to ROI", "url": "https://addictedtoroi.com", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://addictedtoroi.com/images/logo.png" }, "description": "Live your best life funded by your investments. 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Built an 8-figure rental portfolio across multiple states and teaches everyday investors how to build passive income.", "worksFor": { "@id": "https://addictedtoroi.com/#organization" }, "sameAs": [ "https://agentsinvest.com", "https://doorprofit.com", "https://repstime.com", "https://strhours.com", "https://kidspayroll.com", "https://rentstager.com" ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "ItemList", "name": "The First Rental Property Path", "description": "Still have a W-2? Start here. This is the exact order I would read it in to go from \"I think I want a rental\" to wiring earnest money on your first deal, without quitting the day job.", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "url": "https://addictedtoroi.com/blog/build-a-rental-portfolio-in-5-hours-a-week/", "name": "How to Build a Rental Portfolio in Just 5 Hours a Week (While Working Full-Time)" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "url": "https://addictedtoroi.com/blog/how-to-buy-your-first-rental-house-hacking/", "name": "How to Buy Your First Rental (and House-Hack Your Way In With Little Money Down)" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "url": "https://addictedtoroi.com/blog/out-of-state-real-estate-investing-complete-guide/", "name": "Out-of-State Real Estate Investing: A Practitioner's Complete Guide" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "url": "https://addictedtoroi.com/blog/how-to-find-great-out-of-state-rental-properties/", "name": "How to Find Great Out-of-State Rental Properties (My 5-Step System)" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 5, "url": "https://addictedtoroi.com/blog/real-estate-due-diligence-playbook/", "name": "The Real Estate Due Diligence Playbook: What to Check Before You Close" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 6, "url": "https://addictedtoroi.com/blog/how-to-finance-a-rental-portfolio-other-peoples-money/", "name": "How to Finance an Unlimited Rental Portfolio (Using Other People's Money)" } ] } ] --- [![Addicted to ROI](/images/logo.png)](/) [Travel](/pillars/travel/)[Real Estate](/pillars/real-estate/)[Tax Savings](/pillars/tax-savings/)[Business](/pillars/business/)[Paths](/paths/)[Blog](/blog/)[Tools](/tools/)[Apps](/software/)[About](/about/) [Login](https://members.addictedtoroi.com/) Subscribe [Travel](/pillars/travel/)[Real Estate](/pillars/real-estate/)[Tax Savings](/pillars/tax-savings/)[Business](/pillars/business/)[Paths](/paths/)[Blog](/blog/)[Tools](/tools/)[Apps](/software/)[About](/about/)[Login](https://members.addictedtoroi.com/) [Home](/)/ [Paths](/paths/)/ The First Rental Property Path Real Estate · 6 articles · ≈ 3 weeks # The First Rental Property Path Still have a W-2? Start here. This is the exact order I would read it in to go from "I think I want a rental" to wiring earnest money on your first deal, without quitting the day job. [01 ### How to Build a Rental Portfolio in Just 5 Hours a Week (While Working Full-Time) The number one objection I hear is 'I don't have time to invest.' You don't need 30 hours a week. You need 5, spent on the right habits. Here's the exact weekly schedule and the system behind it. Business 11 min read ](/blog/build-a-rental-portfolio-in-5-hours-a-week/)[02 ### How to Buy Your First Rental (and House-Hack Your Way In With Little Money Down) House hacking made my husband and me just shy of $1,000,000 and built the portfolio everything else stands on. Here's the full getting-started playbook, plus the low-down-payment trick that makes your first deal possible. Real Estate 13 min read ](/blog/how-to-buy-your-first-rental-house-hacking/)[03 ### Out-of-State Real Estate Investing: A Practitioner's Complete Guide I stopped buying in my own backyard in 2016 and never looked back. Here's the exact process I use to buy cash-flowing rentals in markets I've never set foot in, including the mistakes that cost other investors six figures. Real Estate 12 min read ](/blog/out-of-state-real-estate-investing-complete-guide/)[04 ### How to Find Great Out-of-State Rental Properties (My 5-Step System) After nine years of buying out-of-state, here's the system I use to pick a market, build a remote team, and source deals that actually cash flow. Real Estate 9 min read ](/blog/how-to-find-great-out-of-state-rental-properties/)[05 ### The Real Estate Due Diligence Playbook: What to Check Before You Close I've found broken sewers, hidden flood zones, unpermitted garages, and leases that appeared after closing. Every one was avoidable. Here's the exact due diligence process that catches them. Real Estate 12 min read ](/blog/real-estate-due-diligence-playbook/)[06 ### How to Finance an Unlimited Rental Portfolio (Using Other People's Money) Most investors stall because they think they need to save up 25% down for every deal. I stopped using my own money around my fourth purchase. Here's the full financing playbook, with real numbers. Real Estate 14 min read ](/blog/how-to-finance-a-rental-portfolio-other-peoples-money/) [Start with article one →](/blog/build-a-rental-portfolio-in-5-hours-a-week/)[← all reading paths](/paths/) Off to go build something. Go build yours.  ~ Jennifer © 2026 Addicted to ROI. Education and community, not financial or tax advice. 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