Financial independence is the goal most real estate investors are eager to achieve. Getting creative and being willing to compromise are two of the ways you can work toward that goal. On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Becky Nova, real estate investor and founder of Lady Landlords, sits down with Jonathan to share how she became a first-time investor in her 30s. Becky owns and manages properties in New York City and the Dominican Republic and helps women achieve financial independence through real estate investing with courses, coaching, and a large Facebook group. Jonathan and Becky begin their conversation with her introduction to real estate investing, which happened when she and her husband bought a two-family home as their first property. She and her husband had a lot to learn, but after learning the ropes of having tenants, they purchased their second property a year later--and the rest is history. Becky explains when and why she created her Facebook group, Lady Landlords, her struggle with overcoming a scarcity mindset, building good relationships with tenants, and why she chooses to self-manage her properties. You’ll also hear what makes property investments abroad different, how she uses her property in the Dominican Republic, and why you must be willing to compromise with your partner when you become a real estate investor. In just five years, Becky Nova created a business that offers her financial freedom and the ability to design a life that looks like what she dreamed. In this episode, you will hear: How a check from a tenant at the closing table opened Becky’s eyes to the idea of real estate investing Figuring out how to become a landlord when she and her husband knew little about owning a home Dealing with unpredictable situations and why landlording is customer service The creation of Lady Landlords following her husband’s job loss in March 2020 The struggle of overcoming the scarcity mindset she and her husband have both had since childhood The importance of keeping communication lines open to build good relationships with your tenants Becky’s advice for hiring property managers as a new investor Why self-management of investment properties isn’t passive Her investments outside of the country and what makes property investments abroad different How Becky rents out her home in the Dominican Republic as a short-term rental when she isn’t using it The freedom that real estate investing has provided her with Why you need to be willing to compromise with your partner in this business The value of understanding your end goal and taking steps to pursue it Follow and Review: We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, we've created a PDF that has all of the key information for you from the episode. Just go to the episode page at http://www.trustgreene.com/podcast/zen/105 to download it. Supporting Resources: Visit the Lady Landlords website - www.lady-landlords.com Lady Landlords on YouTube - www.youtube.com/ladylandlords Find Becky Nova on Facebook - www.facebook.com/TheBeckyNova Connect with Becky on Instagram - instagram.com/thebeckynova Website - www.streamlined.properties YouTube - www.youtube.com/c/JonathanGreeneRE/videos Instagram - www.instagram.com/trustgreene Instagram - www.instagram.com/streamlinedproperties TikTok - www.tiktok.com/@trustgreene Zillow - https://www.zillow.com/profile/StreamlinedReal Bigger Pockets - www.biggerpockets.com/users/TrustGreene Facebook - www.facebook.com/streamlinedproperties Email - info@streamlined.properties Episode Credits: If you like this podcast and are thinking