Teaching Bigger Pockets Rookies How to Leverage Tech in Real Estate

I had the amazing opportunity to be a guest on the BiggerPockets Rookie Podcast, where I shared my journey as a data scientist turned real estate investor. I talked about how leveraging data has been a game-changer in making smarter investment decisions. From using programming languages to automate tedious tasks, to web scraping and utilizing AI tools like ChatGPT and Bard to analyze market trends, I broke down some of the tools and techniques that have helped me along the way. My story—from those early morning New York commutes to becoming an innovative real estate investor—shows how powerful a data-driven approach can be in today’s market. Whether you’re a seasoned investor or just starting out, there’s plenty of value in this episode to help you level up your investing game.

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A Quick Deep-Dive

• The Epiphany on the Bus: As the NYC skyline blurred through the window during my 6 a.m. commute, it hit me—I was done with the rat race, missing out on cherished family moments. Real estate was my ticket out, and if others had done it with fewer resources, why couldn’t I?

• Tech Meets Real Estate: A simple VBA course waved the magic wand, transforming my work life. This tech base was a game-changer, diving me deep into data science and letting me merge it with real estate investment.

• Understanding Data Science: Data is ubiquitous, from home dimensions to city economic vibes. It’s all about extracting insights from massive datasets using tools like Python to predict market swings.

• Market Selection Strategy: Analyzing job growth, population, and other economic markers helps narrow down the 19,000 U.S. cities to find where the magic brews. You don’t have to be a data whiz—today’s tools from government sources make it straightforward.

• House Hack Ninja Trick: I zeroed in on square footage to spot potential extra bedrooms, revamping my house hacking strategy. A simple Excel formula uncovered homes where a bedroom could sprout, cutting costs and boosting ROI.

• First Out-of-State Hack: Detroit had hidden gems, like a mislisted duplex I snagged with a 25k discount. This confidence stemmed from meticulous neighborhood research, using niche.com and some real boots-on-the-ground action.

• Web Scraping Game Plan: Python helped scrape Zillow data, unearthing hidden property treasures listed incorrectly. Nowadays, tools like Browse AI make this no-code breeze easy for rookies wanting all the juicy details, pronto.

• Leveraging AI in Real Time: Tools like ChatGPT and my favorite Bard from Google offer data insights without needing coding prowess. They’re game-changers for quick snippets on new developments, like discovering fresh opportunities in Buffalo.

• Zapier Automations for Efficiency: I connected Zillow notifications to Zapier, automatically vetting potential deals against my criteria and shooting me the winners via text. This saved hours and let me pounce quickly in a competitive market.

• International Expansion with Safety Nets: Playa del Carmen beckoned with growth and an airport close by, but I played it safe by opting for a developer with 18 completed buildings. Smart financing with HELOCs let me spread my wings internationally.

These strategies shine because they embrace tech for ultimate efficiency, often overlooked since they sound daunting or folks assume they require advanced skills. But it’s usually about simple tools paired with creativity and a systematic approach.

Conclusion

By signing up for an account on Coffee Clozers, you can leverage tech and data to pinpoint cash-flowing deals in burgeoning markets with ease. This mighty tool will streamline your investment hustle, ensuring your decisions jive with your real estate ambitions.