How to Build Your Own Real Estate Investing Team (From Scratch)

You can buy the perfect rental property in the perfect area and still fail—not because the numbers were wrong or the market shifted, but simply because you didn't have the right people in your corner. As BiggerPockets hosts Henry Washington and Dave Meyer explain, real estate investing is a team sport, and the difference between success and failure often comes down to who you hire, how you evaluate them, and whether their incentives align with yours.

The Agent: Your First and Most Strategic Hire

The most important team member isn't necessarily the one with the most money or the most tools—it's the one who can connect you to everyone else. A good investor-friendly agent does more than show properties. They should be able to teach you something about their market that you don't already know. Meyer's go-to screening question is disarmingly simple: "I tell them a little bit about myself, say my budget and priorities, and ask: what would you do if you were me?" About 80% of agents can't answer that question. The ones who can will immediately reference similar clients they've worked with and suggest specific neighborhoods and price points.