For anyone curious about how to start real estate investing with no money, Kelton Todd’s story is proof that it’s not only possible, it’s repeatable.
Before building an empire that’s generated over $100 million in revenue, Kelton started like many aspiring investors: broke, uncertain, and grinding to make it work. Today, he mentors thousands through his real estate education companies and investment ventures. But his approach remains grounded in three simple ideas that anyone can apply, regardless of how much (or how little) you have in the bank.
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Let’s unpack how he did it and how you can too.
Stop Waiting for the Perfect Time to Start Real Estate Investing
If you’re sitting on the sidelines waiting for the market to dip, interest rates to drop, or your finances to “look better,” Kelton has one message for you: there is no perfect time.
“There is literally no such thing as the right time. You just gotta make the decision and do it.”
Kelton believes that market timing is one of the biggest myths keeping new investors stuck. While others were retreating during COVID, he was scooping up discounted properties, some of which doubled in value within just three years.
“Some of the best real estate I’ve ever bought in my entire life was right after COVID hit… I didn’t know that it was only going to take about three years for a lot of the real estate we were buying to be worth twice what we paid for it.”
The point? If you’re serious about learning how to start real estate investing with no money, you can’t afford to wait. Start learning. Start networking. Start taking action, because the only way to build long-term wealth is to get in the game.
How to Start Real Estate Investing Through Wholesaling and Flipping
There’s no sugarcoating it: if you don’t have capital, you’ll need to grind. But that’s exactly how Kelton got started, by wholesaling his first deal.
Wholesaling is a strategy where you get a property under contract and then sell that contract to another investor without ever buying the house. It costs little to no money to start, but it requires effort, consistency, and hustle.
“I wholesaled my very first deal… then it was a bunch of flipping and wholesaling at the same time.”
Kelton is quick to point out that while this strategy works, it isn’t the finish line. It’s a stepping stone. Wholesaling and flipping are jobs. You’re still trading time for income. The real power comes when you use those earnings to acquire income-producing assets.
“All you’re doing at the end of the day is trading a low paying job for a high paying job. But it’s still a job.”
Use DSCR Loans to Start Real Estate Investing Without Income or Credit
Here’s where things get exciting: even if you don’t have a strong W-2 income or great credit, you can still buy real estate. How? Through DSCR loans: Debt Service Coverage Ratio loans.
“They don’t need my tax returns. They don’t need my bank statements… I’m not worried about you and your bills. I’m worried about this property.”
DSCR loans allow you to qualify based on the property’s rental income, not your personal finances. If the rent can cover the mortgage, you’re in.
This is one of the most important tools available for anyone learning how to start real estate investing with no money. It means you don’t have to wait until your finances are “perfect.” You just need to find the right deal.
Pro tip from Kelton:
Search “DSCR loans + [your city]” to find local lenders who specialize in these flexible, investor-focused loans.
How Buying Just 1–5 Properties Can Make You a Real Estate Millionaire
If you’re wondering how someone with no money becomes a real estate millionaire, Kelton simplifies the path:
“If I can get you to acquire one rental property worth $250,000, and do it four more times—congrats, you own $1 million in real estate.”
And based on historical data, real estate values double approximately every 11 years. That means even a modest portfolio, acquired with strategy and patience, can result in millionaire status—without needing to hit a home run overnight.
Kelton’s approach is about repeatable wins, not risky speculation. He’s built his entire empire on this principle.
How Anyone Can Start Real Estate Investing with No Money Today
Kelton Todd didn’t get lucky. He took action—without waiting for the perfect time, without relying on his own income, and without letting a lack of cash stop him.
If you want to know how to start real estate investing with no money, his roadmap is clear:
- Start taking action now. Don’t wait for “someday.”
- Use strategies like wholesaling and flipping to generate early momentum.
- Leverage tools like DSCR loans to build a rental portfolio, even without traditional financing.
You don’t need permission. You don’t need perfect timing. You just need to start.
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