How I Bought My First Rental Home (Without Being Rich)

Think you need to be rich to own rental property? Think again.

In this episode of Reset & Reclaim, I share the real story of how I bought my first rental home with less than 5% down—and why it was one of the smartest financial moves I’ve ever made. You’ll learn how buying as an owner-occupant helped me qualify for a lower interest rate, what numbers to run before choosing a home, and how I turned my primary residence into a cash-flowing rental without burning out.

We’ll also talk about what it’s really like to take care of a home (yes, I unclogged a sink and changed out a faucet with the help of YouTube!)—plus the tools that made renting it out way easier than I imagined, like Avail.co.

Whether you're dreaming of your first home or looking for a smarter path to financial freedom, this episode is packed with insight, encouragement, and steps you can actually take.

Need help running numbers or planning your first property?
We can help. Visit www.empowerlifecoachca.com to start building your personalized real estate strategy.

Transcript

Welcome back to the Reset & Reclaim podcast—real steps, real growth, real you.

Today’s episode is for anyone who’s ever thought, “I’d love to invest in real estate... but I’m not rich.”

I’ve been there. And today I’m sharing exactly how I bought my first rental home without a six-figure income or a massive savings account—just some research, strategy, and a long-term mindset.

Part 1 – Why Real Estate Is Worth Talking About

Let’s start with the big shift:

We’re taught to work hard for our money—but what if your money could work for you?

Buying a rental home changed how I think about time, energy, and wealth.

Instead of pouring money into things that lose value—like cars or the latest tech—I put it into something that grows: real estate.

Every day, month, year—that home quietly gains value. Rent payments help cover the mortgage.

It’s not a get-rich-quick thing—it’s a build-real-wealth-slowly-and-intentionally thing.

Part 2 – How I Got Started

So how did I do it?

The key was this: I bought a home where the numbers made sense to rent it out later.

I bought as an owner-occupant, meaning I lived in the home for a few years before turning it into a rental.

Why that approach?

You get a lower interest rate compared to an investment loan

You can put down as little as 3.5% to 5% if it’s your first home

And you get hands-on experience learning how to take care of a home

Now listen—homeownership can sound intimidating. I get it.

I didn’t grow up knowing how to fix stuff.

But I promise, YouTube has a video for everything.

I learned how to:

Replace an electrical outlet

Unclog a sink

Install a new faucet

Swap out a doorbell

These aren’t fancy skills—they’re just things you can learn when you’re willing to try. And trust me, that learning pays off when you eventually rent it out.

Part 3 – Renting It Out

After a few years, I moved—but instead of selling, I rented the home out.

Now the tenant’s rent helps cover the mortgage, and the home continues to grow in value.

That’s the power of owning something that appreciates.

Is being a landlord always easy? Not always. But there are tools that simplify the process a lot.

One that helped me immensely is Avail.co.

Part 4 – Tools That Make It Easier (Avail.co)

Avail.co is designed for people like us—first-time landlords or regular folks trying to manage a property the smart way.

Here’s what it does:

Generates a lease that’s tailored to your state

Posts your rental to multiple platforms automatically

Lets tenants apply online, run background checks, and digitally sign the lease

And yes—it even automates rent payments, so you’re not chasing checks each month

I handled nearly everything online. The only thing I had to do in person was the showing.

It saved me time, kept things professional, and made the whole process way less stressful.

Part 5 – Final Takeaways

So if you’re listening and wondering:

“Could I really do this?”

Yes. Yes, you can.

Here’s your starter roadmap:

Look at rentals in your area—know what the going rates are

Run the numbers: mortgage, insurance, property taxes, maintenance

Consider buying as an owner-occupant to save money up front

Learn as you go—from YouTube, friends, or your own curiosity

Use tools like Avail to keep it streamlined and smart

And if you’re not sure how to run the numbers or want help figuring out if a home will actually cash flow—that’s exactly the kind of support we offer at Empower Life Coach.

Whether it’s building your first rental plan, analyzing deals, or just getting clear on your next financial step—we’re here to help you build wealth with clarity and confidence.

If this episode gave you a spark—send it to someone who needs it. Maybe a friend who’s tired of renting or a single mom dreaming of more financial freedom.

And don’t forget to check the show notes for tools, resources, and how to work with us on your personalized real estate roadmap.

Thanks for being here.

And as always—

This is Empower Life Coach—real steps, real growth, real you.