PremiumNew
2:00Your First Property
How I Built $10M in Real Estate
Jemal King · Real Estate Investor
Loading page
Loading page…
Build
Real Estate
Buy your first home, or analyse a rental like an investor would.
Where to start
Four steps, in the order that works.
- 1
Know what you can afford
Lender maths, not wishful thinking.
Calculate → - 2
Understand the payment
Tax, insurance and PMI are part of it — see the whole figure.
Break it down → - 3
Learn from a buyer
What underwriters look at, in the order they look at it.
Watch → - 4
Analyse an investment
Cash flow, cap rate and cash-on-cash on any property.
Analyse a deal →
Your first-home pathway
Whether you're ready, how to save the down payment, and what happens in what order.
Readiness checklist
Income you can document
Lenders look at how steady your income is, usually from pay stubs and tax returns.
Check take-home pay →Credit you have checked
Review your credit report for mistakes before you apply. Your score affects the rate you are offered.
How credit works →Debt payments under control
Your debt-to-income ratio compares monthly debt payments with income. Lower leaves more room for a mortgage.
What DTI means →An emergency fund you won't touch
Buying uses up most savings. Keep a separate cushion for repairs and surprises.
Build one →
Lessons
Short reads with a quick check at the end.
Learn from experts
Pathways worth a look
Selling homes, and the trades that build and maintain them.
- Business
Real Estate Agent
$40K – $150K
- Time
- 3 mo–1 yr
- College
- Not required
- Route
- Degree/Skills
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (illustrative)
