Stop Overthinking Your First Rental Property
Debbie Balfour interviews Christopher Stevens on turnkey real estate investing, overcoming analysis paralysis, managing risk, and taking action on your first rental property.
Real Estate Investing
✍️ By Debbie Balfour | WBN News | February 20, 2026| Click HERE for your FREE Subscription to WBN News and/or to be a Contributor.
Most aspiring real estate investors don’t fail because they pick the wrong strategy. They fail because they never start. They get stuck in research mode, comparing BRRRR vs. flipping vs. short-term rentals, waiting for the “perfect” deal that never comes. That’s analysis paralysis, and it’s more expensive than any bad investment.
In my latest episode of Let’s Talk Real Estate Investing, I sit down with Christopher Stevens, author of Turnkey Real Estate Investing: Overcome Analysis Paralysis, to unpack one of the simplest and most practical ways to get started.
Watch the full interview here:
Christopher’s journey is honest, relatable, and full of lessons every new investor needs to hear.
Christopher has owned and managed properties on and off since 2001. In 2023, he made a focused decision to pursue turnkey real estate investing as his primary strategy. Today, he owns seven properties (eight doors) and is working toward ten doors by 2028, with a clear goal: to average $400 per month in cash flow per door. Combined with other investments, he wants his real estate income to outpace what he once earned in his W-2 marketing job.
And here’s the pivotal moment—he was let go from that job in 2023. Instead of retreating, he leaned in. That uncomfortable season became the catalyst for clarity and action.
So what is turnkey real estate investing? Simply put, it’s buying a property that is fully renovated, rent-ready, and often professionally managed. It’s not about coordinating contractors or learning how to be a general contractor overnight. It’s about purchasing a finished asset that is positioned to produce income more quickly. Yes, you typically pay a premium. But that premium often buys you time, speed, and reduced execution risk, especially if you’re investing out of state.
One of the biggest misconceptions Christopher addressed is the idea that doing everything yourself is always the smarter move. Many new investors assume that if they don’t force equity through renovations, they’re leaving money on the table. But they don’t factor in holding costs, contractor overruns, stress, or time away from income-producing activities. Staying in your lane and hiring the right team can be the difference between growth and burnout.
We also had a candid conversation about risk management, something that isn’t discussed nearly enough. Real estate is not immune to problems. Evictions happen. Tenants move out unexpectedly. Foundations crack. Insurance deductibles are tested. The difference between investors who survive and those who quit often comes down to reserves, mitigation strategies, and a long-term mindset.
Christopher also shared how he sold a property that had significant equity but limited cash flow, then redeployed the capital through a 1031 exchange into properties better aligned with his goals. That’s a powerful reminder: you are not married to your properties; you are committed to your outcome.
The core lesson from this episode is simple. Start where you are. You don’t need the perfect strategy. You need a strategy that fits your lifestyle today. You can pivot later. You can refine later. But you cannot scale from zero.
If you’ve been overthinking your first rental, this conversation may be the nudge you need.
Buy Turnkey Real Estate Investing - Proven Strategies to Sidestep Costly Mistakes on Amazon now.
Debbie Balfour | Real Estate Investing Success Coach + Podcast Host
📍 Website: www.DebbieBalfour.com
📧 Email: Debbie@DebbieBalfour.com
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TAGS: #Real Estate Investing #Turnkey Real Estate #Analysis Paralysis #Rental Properties #Investor Mindset #Let's Talk Real Estate Investing #WBN TV #WBN News Langley #WBN News Abbotsford #WBN News Okanagan #Debbie Balfour
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