You've bought your first turnkey property. The residents are in place, cash flow is hitting your account monthly, and you're thinking about what comes next. How long does it really take to build a substantial real estate portfolio? More importantly, what does "substantial" even mean for your specific goals?

The answer depends on several factors working together: your available capital, financing capacity, risk tolerance, and strategic approach.

Understanding realistic timelines helps you set achievable milestones while avoiding the rush to scale before you're ready. So…what can you really expect to happen when you invest in turnkey real estate?

This week, we’re spotlighting a property that proves an important truth about turnkey investing: not every renovation requires a dramatic before-and-after moment to be a strong long-term investment. At 6205 Chippewa Drive, the transformation wasn’t cosmetic—it was structural, strategic, and focused on the core systems that protect your investment for years to come. With a thoughtful rehab approach and a final budget of $62,000, this home is now positioned to offer stable, consistent performance for its future resident and owner.

Rising property prices, elevated interest rates, and economic uncertainty have made traditional buy-and-hold investing feel more complicated than ever. At the same time, rental demand continues climbing as homeownership becomes increasingly out of reach for many Americans.

Enter build-to-rent (BTR) communities—purpose-built single-family rental properties designed from the ground up with investors and long-term residents in mind. Both traditional turnkey properties and BTR communities have their place in a well-rounded portfolio. The question isn't which is better, it's which fits your specific needs and investment goals right now.

This week’s transformation brings us to 6249 Midsummer Way, a property that reflects everything we value about long-term, sustainable investing in Memphis. Built in 1978, this home has great bones and sits in a neighborhood known for steady growth and strong rental demand. With thoughtful renovations and strategic updates, this 3-bedroom, 2-bath home now delivers the comfort and reliability residents look for — and the performance investors expect.

As Memphis continues to show consistent appreciation and stability, properties like Midsummer Way represent the kind of dependable assets that form the foundation of a successful turnkey portfolio.

Congratulations!

You've taken the leap into turnkey real estate investing. Whether you've just closed on your first property or are about to sign that contract, those initial three months set the foundation for your entire investment experience. And even if you think you know what to expect intellectually, the reality might look different from what you anticipated.

At REI Nation, we've guided thousands of investors through this crucial period over our 20+ years in business. Here's exactly what to expect—and what you should focus on—during your first 90 days as a turnkey investor.

When it comes to real estate investing, few things are more satisfying than seeing a property completely transformed — and this Memphis renovation is a perfect example. Located at 6602 Beaverlodge Drive, this 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom home offers 1,533 square feet of beautifully updated living space. Built in 1980 and fully refreshed for today’s residents, it’s ready to deliver strong returns for its new investor.

This property checks all the boxes for a low-maintenance, income-producing investment in one of our most consistent markets.

If you're considering using retirement funds to invest in turnkey real estate, a self-directed IRA (SDIRA) might be your golden ticket. But here's the million-dollar question: should you go traditional or Roth? Both offer unique advantages for passive real estate investors, making it a tough choice! 

Choosing the right one could make a massive impact on your long-term wealth-building strategy, though. So, make your choice wisely!

At REI Nation, every transformation tells a story of turning potential into performance — and this week’s feature is no exception.

6909 Fairfield Drive in Little Rock, Arkansas, is a 4-bedroom, 2-bath home built in 1963 with 1,196 sq. ft. of living space. After a full renovation, it’s now a move-in-ready investment property offering long-term value and reliability for its next turnkey investor.

The American housing market just reached a staggering milestone: a total value of $55.1 trillion, representing a $20 trillion surge since early 2020. For context, that's more than the entire GDP of the United States. 

But before you pop the champagne or panic about market bubbles, let's talk about what this means for single-family rental investors — and why the shifting geography of housing wealth might present your best opportunity yet.

This week’s transformation takes us to 1800 Green Acres Road in Jacksonville, Arkansas — a 3-bedroom, 2-bath home with 1,545 square feet of living space. Built in 1976, this property had great structure and location potential, but it needed a complete transformation to meet REI Nation’s turnkey standards. Our team stepped in to do what we do best: take a good property and make it great — creating a fully performing, long-term investment home ready to deliver returns from day one.