How to Break Into Real Estate with No Capital?

You can start investing in real estate without capital or prior experience. Learn how to build your wealth by focusing on one step at a time. In this interview, we spoke to Jason Medley, a seasoned entrepreneur with 25 years of experience in the real estate industry. He is the founder of a mastermind community called Collective Genius, which has 700+ members across the country. They help elite real estate investors thrive in any market, maximize profits, and achieve financial freedom.

Let’s hear from Jason on how his journey got started.

“I was 29 when I got super sick. Basically, I was fighting for my life, living on short-term disability, and couldn’t return to corporate America. I was looking to refinance my mortgage when the guy who came to help me was driving a black Porsche 911. He was in his late 20s. I asked him, ‘How are you doing so well?’ He replied, ‘I’m doing mortgages.’

I asked, ‘Do you have any vacancies in your company?’ Later, he called me to tell me about an open position at his company, and the rest is history. While working there, I realized that I was doing better when I could make my own paycheck.”

What Are Some Practical Ways for Investors to Network?

That’s what we do at Collective Genius. We help investors network and collaborate with each other. Collaboration is not just necessary; it’s critical. When you collaborate, you shorten your success timeline.

My mastermind community is called Collective Genius. It’s a peer-to-peer community of 700+ investors. We bring them together quarterly to share systems, strategies, resources, and connections. They lend money, borrow money, and partner on deals. Our focus is not just on the business aspect; we want to become better in every aspect of life. Don’t just focus on the business. Observe who you’re becoming in the process.

How to Scale Your Real Estate Business?

Go half as fast as you think you should. I’ve been working with entrepreneurs for the last 14 days, and many aren’t focusing enough. You need an operating system within the business.

People think they understand real estate investing after doing 3-4 flips. But doing three or four rehabs a year is still a hobby. Your business truly begins once you start rehabbing 30-40 homes on a monthly basis. That requires building a business and hiring people who will get the job done. I would say focus first on the operating system. A clear focus, with clear steps and an implementation process, will lead you to success.

What Are Some Books You’d Suggest Reading?

There’s a book called Rocket Fuel, Rise by Gary Harper, and the books published by EOS.

Building a real estate portfolio requires discipline and a consistent iteration of the same steps. For example, renovating 2 single-family homes a month for 5 consistent years, then selling 40 homes and paying off debt. That strategy doesn’t require new ideas—you just need to focus on small steps.

You cannot build a portfolio unless you are earning a high income from your rehabbing/wholesaling business. Don’t try to figure out wealth until you’ve built a massive, active income. The rule is to have a personal cash reserve and then an income that exceeds your needs.

A personal cash reserve will help you during unexpected tough times when life throws you a curveball, and rest assured, it’s going to throw you one. Next, focus on building a big active income. Once you’re earning an additional $300k or $400k each year, you can start building your rental portfolio.

What Is One Skill or Habit that Every Real Estate Investor Should Learn?

Sales is always the skill you should master. You need selling skills everywhere—from motivating home sellers to selling your spouse on a certain idea. When it comes to convincing motivated sellers, both you and your team should be truly compassionate. We have a person on our team (at the CEO level) who doesn’t use the word ‘transaction’ when working with motivated sellers. He calls it a ‘transition,’ as we’re helping someone during a transition.

What Are Some Strategies Shared Within Your Mastermind Group?

We always say that profit is in efficiency. Before you go bigger, learn what you can do better. Look at your marketing funnel and know your numbers. What percentage of the deals did you just close? Let’s say, from appointment to contract, the ratio is 48%. What if that ratio increases to 58%? That’ll increase your business flow without you having to make big changes.

What Is One Personal Advice You Live By?

It’s actually advice given to me by my mother. She always says, ‘Keep it moving, baby.’ You’re either going to push forward or get pushed back. Life will have its ups and downs—just keep moving forward.

End of Interview

That was the end of the interview. If you would like to connect with Jason, visit his website at thecollectivegenius.com. At the top of the page, you’ll find several options suitable for your business size. Click on the option that best fits, and you can get in touch with him.