Many financially independent real estate investors share a common starting point — attending a networking event.

For individuals like Caleb Hommel, Chuck Sotelo, Avery Heilbron, Jeff White, Suleyka Bolaños, and Ludomir Wanot, meeting like-minded people opened doors to opportunities that changed their financial futures.

Here’s how they did it.

Starting From Scratch: No Money, No Experience

Caleb Hommel and Chuck Sotelo had almost no knowledge about real estate when they decided to dive into investing.

As teenagers still attending junior college during the pandemic, they lacked money, credit, and professional connections.

Despite these challenges, they started attending local real estate investing meetups.

At one of these events, they learned about a mentorship program called Multifamily Strategy.

Eventually, they enrolled in the program and used the knowledge and network they built to create a 28-unit real estate portfolio — all using other people’s money.

Their journey proves that lack of experience and finances doesn’t have to be a barrier when the right community supports you.

How Real Estate Networking Kickstarted a Career

Avery Heilbron faced a similar situation after graduating college in 2018.

He had a strong desire to own real estate but lacked both the capital and the credit score necessary for approval.

He quickly realized that without a credit score, getting pre-approved for a mortgage was impossible.

Instead of giving up, Heilbron started attending real estate networking events in his hometown of Boston.

These events helped him learn about the market, understand the buying process, and build connections.

One crucial connection he made was an agent who later informed him about a duplex coming back on the market.

Because of his preparation and newly built savings, Heilbron was ready to act fast.

That first deal laid the foundation for a 14-unit real estate portfolio and eventually allowed him to quit his corporate job.

The Power of Like-Minded Communities

Denver-based couple Jeff White and Suleyka Bolaños also leveraged networking to accelerate their real estate journey.

Using Meetup.com, they found local real estate gatherings that exposed them to valuable strategies like house hacking and 1031 exchanges.

House hacking, living in part of a property while renting out the rest, allowed them to live mortgage-free since 2017.

Later, they used a 1031 exchange to swap one property for two others without paying capital gains taxes.

Beyond strategies, the couple valued the emotional support that networking provided.

Being surrounded by individuals with similar ambitions made the process less isolating and much more manageable.

“You don’t feel like this lone person out there just doing things all by yourself,” said Bolaños.

Having a supportive community means that when challenges arise, help is just a call or message away.

Ludomir Wanot’s Journey Through Networking

Seattle-based entrepreneur Ludomir Wanot also attributes his early success to building connections.

When he first entered real estate, Wanot joined a Facebook group called WA Real Estate Investing (WAREI) to meet other local investors.

He didn’t stop there.

He also attended local meetups where he asked experienced investors how they got started and how they scaled their businesses.

Wanot’s approach was simple yet effective — surround yourself with people who know more than you, ask questions, and build strong relationships.

“You never know when you can work with them down the road,” he said.

Indeed, your next meetup could introduce you to a future business partner, lender, wholesaler, or real estate agent — just like it did for Heilbron.

Final Thoughts: Taking the First Step

Real estate investing may seem daunting when you’re starting without money, credit, or experience.

However, the stories of Hommel, Sotelo, Heilbron, White, Bolaños, and Wanot show that your first move can be as simple as attending a local meetup.

By surrounding yourself with knowledgeable, driven people, you can gain valuable insights, find mentorship, and maybe even land your first deal.

If local events are limited, online communities offer an alternative way to connect and learn.

Taking that small, courageous first step could be the beginning of a life-changing journey.