From Solo Investor to Thriving Community: Why Connection Changes Everything

In This Article

I still remember the isolation of those early days in real estate investing. When I was managing my first rental property, I only had two others in my network—my boss (as a then-property manager) and my first deal partner, who was also new to investing. No BiggerPockets, no meetups, no conferences. Just me, trying to build wealth through real estate while nobody around me quite understood the journey.

After a while, it became pretty lonely. I was on this journey for financial freedom and building wealth through real estate, but I didn’t have anyone who understood what I was trying to do. You know that feeling when it feels like you’re speaking a different language from everyone around you? That was my reality. Sure, I could talk about conventional career paths with friends and family, but mention “cash flow” or “cap rates,” and I’d get blank stares.

Everything changed when I took a small step: creating an Instagram account dedicated to my real estate and personal finance journey. I’ll never forget posting about using rental income to demolish my student loans—it felt like shouting into the void at first. 

But then something magical happened. Comments trickled in. DMs arrived. I started finding others who spoke my language, following and connecting with other like-minded individuals who were on the same or similar path. I finally felt like I found my people.

But the real breakthrough? It came from a single DM that transformed my entire investing trajectory. Another investor reached out about forming an accountability group. I had zero experience with masterminds or accountability partners, but something told me to say yes. That decision was a game-changer.

Why Accountability Matters

Here’s what I discovered: While podcasts, books, and endless Google searches can teach you the mechanics of real estate investing, they can’t give you what truly matters: a community that pushes you forward and calls you out when you’re making excuses, and celebrates your wins like they’re their own. My favorite part of being in an accountability group is the “aha!” moment: that one idea, feedback, or lesson that makes the cost, time, and commitment all worth it.

Let me be transparent: I’ve invested serious money in this kind of community before (including a $5,000 mastermind that initially made my stomach churn). However, the insights gained and relationships built have repaid that investment many times over. 

Here are several psychological principles that make accountability effective:

• Social commitment: When we verbalize our goals to others, we’re more likely to follow through because we want consistency between our words and actions. 
• Positive peer pressure: Regular check-ins with accountability partners create gentle pressure to make progress, knowing we’ll need to report our actions and results. 
• Shared motivation: Being part of a group, each working toward their own goals, creates an encouraging atmosphere, and success breeds success. 

Just recently, at BPCON 2024, I met two investors who’d been in a virtual accountability group for over a year and were finally meeting in person. The joy and mutual appreciation in their eyes said it all—they’d found their A-Team.

How to Build a Community With BiggerPockets

Do you crave any of this? Do you want to have this interaction? Here’s the beautiful thing: You don’t need to invest thousands to access this kind of transformative community. This is exactly why I’m so excited about the upcoming Momentum Virtual Summit. We’re creating a perfect blend of education and community that I wish I’d had access to when I started. 

You’ll get eight live sessions packed with actionable content, but that’s just the beginning. The real magic happens when you join your dedicated accountability group. These aren’t just random networking sessions—they’re peer-led groups of four to five people where real connections form and real progress happens. 

After previewing the presentation slides, I can tell you this summit tackles the exact challenges you’re facing right now: navigating today’s market conditions, selecting profitable markets, and implementing creative strategies to maximize cash flow. Plus, you’ll be learning from the best in the business—including James Dainard, Tony J. Robinson, Dave Meyer, and Henry Washington—all BiggerPockets Podcast hosts who’ve been in your shoes and built remarkable success stories.

If you’re ready to make 2025 your breakthrough year in real estate investing, join us at BiggerPockets.com/Summit25. This isn’t just another virtual event—it’s your invitation to join a community that will transform your investing journey. 

Registration ends February 10th, so don’t miss your chance to join like-minded investors in making 2025 a great year. The path to financial freedom through real estate doesn’t have to be a lonely one. In fact, it’s so much better when we walk it together!