7 Different Kinds of Real Estate Investments For Any Market

If you’re reading this, you’ve probably been inspired by a YouTube video, a podcast, or even a family member who’s built serious wealth through real estate investing. And you’re not wrong to be excited. But like anything in life, it’s not that simple. Success in real estate requires knowledge, strategy, and careful planning. The first step? The best approach is to understand the different ways to get started, learn how each strategy works, and choose the one that fits your goals and resources. In this post, we’ll explore some of the most effective real estate investment strategies, from wholesaling to the BRRRR method. You’ll discover real-life examples, like Ryan Dossey’s $79,000 profit on a wholetail deal and his $8 million portfolio built using buy-and-hold properties. If you’re ready to dive into strategies that work in any market and learn how others are making thousands in real estate, keep reading—you’re in the right place!

1. Wholesaling

Wholesaling is a real estate strategy that involves finding discounted properties, securing them under contract and selling the contract to another buyer—usually an investor—at a higher price. The wholesaler is basically a middleman. You profit from the difference between the contracted price and the sale price (this cut is called the “assignment fee”). What makes this strategy appealing is its low upfront investment. You don’t need to have the cash to actually buy the property yourself. And this is why Ryan Dossey, the co-founder of Ballpoint Marketing and a 7-figure real estate investor, recommends wholesaling to beginners. Check out Ryan’s video below showing how to secure your first wholesale deal without spending more than $1,000 on marketing.

Best Markets for Wholesaling

Wholesaling can work in virtually any market, but it thrives in:

• Cities with active house-flipping markets – Areas where investors are regularly buying and renovating properties for profit.
• Growing populations – Markets with increasing demand for housing due to population growth.
• High rental demand areas – Regions with strong rental markets attract buy-and-hold investors.
• Suburban areas with affordable homes – Popular among both investors and first-time homebuyers.
• Slower markets with motivated sellers – Opportunities arise with homeowners in financial distress, facing foreclosure, or needing a quick sale.
• Emerging markets – Up-and-coming areas experiencing economic development and infrastructure improvements.

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2. Wholetailing

Wholetailing is a different strategy from wholesaling, but the two are closely related. As Ryan Dossey explains in the video below, wholetailing can significantly boost the profits you make from wholesaling. The key difference? With wholetailing, you’re buying the property and often doing some basic refurbishment. But here’s the key: you’re not using your own cash—instead you can partner with a private lender to secure the deal and provide the capital. Then, after the property is likely listed on the MLS and sold through a realtor, you take your cut and pay the private lender interest on the amount borrowed. Check the video to watch Ryan breaking down a real wholetail deal where he made $79,000 in 45 days—compared to an estimated $36,000 had he wholesaled the property.

Key Markets for Wholetailing

Wholetailing works best in markets where you can find motivated sellers willing to accept a cash offer. Look for:

• Homeowners needing to sell quickly – Examples include financial distress, divorce, or relocation.
• Properties with cosmetic issues – Homes that don’t require extensive renovations but aren’t market-ready.
• Suburban areas – Where demand from long-term buyers remains high.
• Undervalued neighborhoods – Areas where slight improvements can yield significant profits.
• Markets with retail buyer demand – Regions where homes sell quickly once listed on the MLS.

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3. Fix-and-Flipping

Fix-and-flipping—also known as flipping houses or simply "flipping"—is often the first strategy that comes to mind when people think of real estate investing. Unlike wholesaling, it’s not an easy-entry option. Fix-and-flipping requires more capital, a deeper understanding of renovations, and the ability to manage contractors. But if you know what you’re doing, it can be highly profitable. This strategy involves purchasing a property, renovating it to add value and selling it at a higher price. In some cases, it aligns with wholetailing, as both strategies involve a resale, but usually with fix-and-flipping you’re buying with your own capital. In the video below, Ryan Dossey breaks down how he made $47,000 in just 90 days on a fix-and-flip. He highlights key aspects, including budgeting and finding the right property.

Best Markets for Fix-and-Flipping

Fix-and-flipping works well in markets where:

• Homes are undervalued but in stable or growing neighborhoods – Renovations can increase resale value significantly.
• Buyer demand is high – Properties sell quickly after renovations.
• Properties need cosmetic or structural improvements – There’s room to add value without overcapitalizing.
• Suburban areas – Attract families looking for move-in-ready homes.
• Growing markets with rising home values – Profits are amplified by market appreciation during the renovation timeline.

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4. Buy-and-Hold

Buy-and-hold, sometimes referred to as rental property investing or "landlording," is one of the most recommended strategies for building long-term and generational wealth. Unlike other strategies, buy-and-hold involves keeping the properties you purchase and earning income over time. There are several ways to generate income with buy-and-hold properties:

• Long-term rentals – Renting to tenants for steady monthly cash flow.
• Vacation rentals – Short-term stays through platforms like Airbnb, especially in tourist-heavy areas.

While buy-and-hold offers stable returns, it can be challenging for beginners due to the capital required to purchase properties and the expertise needed to identify profitable opportunities. In the video below, Ryan Dossey explains how he identifies hot markets for buy-and-hold rentals, builds a list of potential sellers, sends direct mail campaigns, and closes deals efficiently.

Best Markets for Buy-and-Hold

Buy-and-hold thrives in areas where:

• Rental demand is strong – Cities with growing populations, job opportunities, and a lack of affordable housing.
• Tourist activity is high – Ideal for vacation rentals in coastal or urban destinations.
• Affordable homes are available – Entry-level homes that appeal to renters.
• Stable neighborhoods with good schools – Attract long-term tenants like families.
• Emerging markets – Areas experiencing infrastructure growth or urban revitalization.

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5. Commercial

Commercial property refers to real estate used for business purposes, such as generating income from tenants or business operations. This category typically includes office buildings, warehouses, retail spaces, industrial facilities, and mixed-use developments. Commercial properties are often larger and more complex than residential real estate, requiring a different approach to investing. For example, you can make money with commercial properties by leasing them to long-term tenants, subleasing portions of a building you’ve leased or through triple-net leases where tenants cover taxes, insurance, and maintenance. Another strategy is value-add investing, where you improve underperforming properties to boost income potential.

Best Markets for Commercial Property

Commercial property investments thrive in:

• Urban centers – High demand for office buildings, retail spaces, and mixed-use properties.
• Industrial hubs – Cities with strong manufacturing or distribution networks, ideal for warehouses.
• Emerging business districts – Areas experiencing economic and infrastructure growth.
• Suburban growth areas – Retail and office spaces catering to expanding residential neighborhoods.

6. Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)

Real Estate Investment Trusts, or REITs, are companies that own, operate or finance income-generating real estate. You buy and sell shares in them like stocks. Usually specific REITs specialize in certain property types, such as residential, retail, office buildings, or even niche sectors like data centers and healthcare facilities. Equity REITs generate income by owning and renting out properties, while mortgage REITs make money by financing real estate through mortgages or loans. For beginners or those with limited capital, you can invest in REITs just like you might put a couple hundred of thousand dollars into the stock market. But there’s some downsides too. Unlike owning property or securing investment deals, you have limited control over decisions made by the REIT. You also can’t expect a quick payout like you might with a wholesale deal.

Best Markets for REIT Investments

REITs thrive in markets with strong economic growth where demand for real estate is high. It’s best to consider these investments like you might a stock. Consider the specialization of the REIT, the growth of the specific market, and the potential for long-term wealth creation.

7. House Hacking

House hacking is a strategy that combines homeownership with real estate investing. Similar to buy-and-hold investing, house hacking involves purchasing a property and renting it out. But here’s the twist: you will also live in a part of the property you buy. Why is that beneficial? The rental income generated can help cover your mortgage payments, effectively reducing your housing expenses and freeing up capital for future investments. This approach is an excellent first step for those looking to enter the real estate market. By offsetting your mortgage costs, you not only reduce your financial liabilities but also gain valuable experience as a landlord.

Best Markets for House Hacking

House hacking works best in markets with high rental demand and affordable entry-level properties. Look for:

• Urban areas with growing populations – High demand for rentals near job hubs and amenities.
• College towns – Students and faculty create steady tenant demand.
• Suburbs near major cities – Attract tenants seeking affordability while staying close to urban centers.

The ideal properties for house hacking include duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes, as these allow you to live in one unit while renting out the others. Single-family homes with a basement or separate in-law suite can also work.

BONUS – The BRRRR Method

The BRRRR method—Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat—is a powerful strategy for building your buy-and-hold portfolio. Often referred to as a “no money down” approach, it allows you to take the same initial amount of cash and recycle it through multiple deals. It works by buying a property below market value, rehabing it to increase its worth, renting it out for steady income, refinancing to pull out the equity, and reinvesting the cash in your next property. Ryan Dossey, co-founder of Ballpoint Marketing, recommends transitioning from wholesaling to the BRRRR method as soon as possible. While wholesaling is transactional, the BRRRR method helps you build lasting wealth through buy-and-hold properties. Ryan describes his rentals as both his “monthly income” and his “real estate 401k”. In the video below, Ryan explains how he used the BRRRR strategy to close on $8 million worth of assets.

Best Markets for BRRRR Deals

BRRRR deals work best in markets where you can find undervalued properties with high appreciation potential. Look for:

• Emerging neighborhoods – Areas on the cusp of growth with rising home values.
• Affordable housing markets – Where properties are priced low enough to make the refinance step effective.
• Strong rental demand – Cities with growing populations, job opportunities, and a consistent need for housing.
• Mid-sized cities – Less competition than major metros but still enough demand for stable cash flow.

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The Missing Piece: How to Actually Find Deals?

Ryan Dossey says the foundation of any successful real estate investment is "getting a good deal." This has been a little taken for granted in this blog… Winning deals is the most overlooked step in the real estate investing process. And unless you only want to focus on REITs, finding deals is the hurdle where most investors will fall. But not with Ballpoint Marketing. Ballpoint Marketing specializes in generating hot seller leads for individual investors—even if you’re starting with less than $1,000. Our proven strategies make it easy to connect with motivated sellers and secure deals that set you up for success. Check out our catalog of real estate postcards here. Oh—and don’t forget to watch more Ryan Dossey content to learn how to build effective mailing lists and craft compelling CTAs for your direct mail campaigns.