Real estate investing is a vastly male-dominated space, due in large part to the fact that until very recently women couldn’t easily obtain mortgages on their own. Before the late 1970s, it was legal for banks to deny us loans and credit just for being women!
(UGH) Time to catch up!
This brings me to share a bit about my experience within the REI space.
My experience as a woman in REI
I’ve been in the money/personal finance space for almost a decade. From the beginning, I found that the community overwhelmingly embraced me as a woman talking about money – especially other women who were similarly trying to teach themselves about personal finance and how to build wealth. My audience is generally 95 percent(ish) women and I like it that way.
There are plenty of men teaching money (and I don’t exclude anyone,) but my stuff is mostly geared toward empowering women to become financially independent and have choices (regardless of if they have a man by their side or not.)
I only started dipping my toes into the real estate investing space about 4-5 years ago…
And honestly, it’s super bro-y y’all!
The vast majority of the bros aren’t bad, I’ve met some amazing men/people in this space… but it’s VERY noticeable to me when there are no other women around. The difference between how women are treated in these spaces, especially in person is incredibly noticeable.
I remember being super excited to learn that real estate people are big on meeting up in local groups to share tips, resources, and even deals.
There are amazing groups organized by Bigger Pockets, ChooseFI, and others in my area and all around, but nearly every time I’ve gone to one of these meetups I get completely ignored by the men attending, including the vendors, and the super young guys, who usually are from my university that don’t have any property yet and want to learn. However, just not from me.
It got to the point where I went hard to make it impossible to ignore me (which didn’t work).
Things changed a bit when people found out I have some experience in the space.
For example, I’ve been featured on BiggerPockets in episode 6 and episode 178 and they have a big platform. But even then, they’ve still just barely taken me seriously or alternatively, they only want a connection.
By the way, despite all this, I absolutely recommend BiggerPockets forums for anyone interested in REI. The people there are so willing to share, teach and answer questions.
And if you’d like to connect with me on BP, check out my profile here!
I firmly believe women belong in the REI space. We can reno, demo, fix & flip, buy, sell, BRRR, manage, and everything else as well as anyone. I know tons of women who are amazing at it. But until the demographics shift, we need to demand our space, refuse to be ignored, and continue to show up. I’m doing that by following female investors, supporting their work, and encouraging others to be as inspired by them as I am.
Check out and follow these absolutely amazing women in the REI space. I follow and love them and I think you will too.
1. @nerdsguidetofi
Sarah King is work-optional and is using REI to fulfill that goal. In 2016 she found herself with over $118k worth of debt and after she was able to pay it off she decided to pursue what she always wanted to do, real estate investing. If you’re curious about long-term buy-and-hold rental properties then Sarah is your gal!
2. @whitney_hansen_co
Whitney Hansen is a financial coach and the owner of @idahoflowerpot and @cascadedome . She loves testing out side hustles, two of them being her other businesses which include, an Airbnb host and running a glamping site. So if you want the whole package of learning to budget, invest, build wealth, and know more about running short-term rental properties then follow Whitney!
3. @sharontseung
Sharon Tseung is the Co-Founder of @goodsweethomes. She’s passionate about real estate investing and building up passive income streams for her future. She’s also into trying side hustles to see which are worth your time!
4. @mindyatbp
Mindy Jensen is the Community Manager at BiggerPockets, as well as a real estate agent in Colorado! Her love for real estate and DIY make for the perfect combo as she also flips her investment properties.
5. @moneyhoneyrachel
Rachel Richards believes real estate investing can make your passive income and FIRE dreams come true. In 2019 she quit her job and now works when, where and if she wants. She’s passionate about teaching other women how to be financially independent and follow their financial dreams.
6. @monickhalm
Monick Halm is the Founder of REI Goddesses, your one-stop shop for learning everything about real estate investing and creating passive income streams.
7. @investorgirlbritt
Brittany Arnason is a commercial real estate investor and educator. She’s also the founder of IGB Capital, which finds and vets commercial real estate investment opportunities for passive investors. Follow her if you want some DIY tips and tricks, daily motivation, and real estate investment advice.
8. @kristiemaewolfe
Kristie Wolfe caught the real estate bug after building her first tiny home in 2011. Since then she’s continued to build unique and fun Airbnb stays and experiences. Follow her along on her journey as she continues to build unique stays and learn how to become a stellar Airbnb host yourself!
9. @marialovesrealestate
Maria Friström is a real estate investor and interior designer based in Finland. If you’re in need of some interior design inspo, then Maria is your woman! Her feed is a beautifully curated collage of design tips, updates on her various projects, and quick snaps of what is inspiring her out and about in the world.
10. @theficouple
Ali believes EVERYONE should be striving toward financial independence. Ali, along with her husband Josh share everything from personal finance tips, how to get involved in real estate investing, and how they managed to pay off $100k worth of consumer debt.
11. @wealthfromrentals
Ashley Kehr, is the host of the BiggerPockets Real Estate Rookie Podcast. She was once herself a rookie real estate investor but now has grown her portfolio to over 30 units, including commercial and residential properties. Follow her along as she renovates different rental properties.
12. @therealestateinvesther
Invest Her is a real estate investing and networking platform run by Liz and Andresa. They started Invest Her as a way to build a community for other female real estate investors and give them a space to share their wins and losses while making lasting connections in the industry.
13. @detroit_investor
Ashley Hamilton is a licensed real estate agent, investor, and entrepreneur. She’s passionate about rehabbing properties and giving them a new life for future renters. Additionally, Ashley wants to help any budding real estate investor by sharing her tips and showing the process behind renovating her rental properties.
14. @beckmannhouse
Kara Beckmann is the Founder of the real estate and interior design company, Beckmann House. She loves transforming her investment properties and designing sleek and functional spaces. On her feed, you’ll find design inspiration and tons of personal finance and business tips!
15. @saraaraad
Sara is part of a husband and wife duo, also known as The Real Estate Robinsons on youtube, who teach you how to start, manage and earn more by becoming an Airbnb host. Her feed is full of behind-scenes of her life and what real estate projects she is currently working on.
16. @ameliajorei
Amelia Jo is a real estate investor that specialized in midterm rentals. On her feed, you’ll find the breakdown of her real numbers for all aspects of her business and how she’s managing, running, and renovating her rentals.
17. @sarahdweaver
Sarah is a real estate investor who wants to teach you how to buy rental properties and create a passive income portfolio. She also has written a book, 30-Day Stay: A Real Estate Investor’s Guide to Mastering the Medium-Term Rental, which is for all budding real estate investors!
Let me know who you think I should follow next!
Want to know more about my real estate journey? Read these!
How I screen renters & work as an ethical landlord
My Vintage Travel Trailer Renovation and everything I bought for it
