#249 How to Take Your First Step in Real Estate Investing (Even with a Busy Schedule) ft. Peter Kim, MD - Passive Income MD Shop

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#249 How to Take Your First Step in Real Estate Investing (Even with a Busy Schedule) ft. Peter Kim, MD
Episode #249

#249 How to Take Your First Step in Real Estate Investing (Even with a Busy Schedule) ft. Peter Kim, MD

In this episode, Dr. Peter Kim takes it back to the basics and breaks down exactly how to get started in real estate investing—even if you’re a busy professional with limited time. He shares his personal journey, from being a full-time physician with no investing experience to building a portfolio that gave him the financial freedom to design his ideal life.

And to make your journey even easier, we’ve put together a free resource: the 2025 Real Estate Strategy Comparison Guide for Physicians. This guide breaks down different real estate investment strategies, helping you decide which one best fits your goals, lifestyle, and risk tolerance.

Download the Guide Now!

If you’ve been waiting for the perfect moment to get started, this is your sign—because the best time to start was yesterday, and the second-best time is today. Let’s dive in!

Are you looking for a community to encourage you as you begin, or want to accelerate your business to the next level? Then join thousands of physicians who share the same journey of creating their ideal lives through multiple streams of income by joining us in our Facebook communities such as Passive Income Docs and Passive Income MD.

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11.08 Min • February 3

Episode Highlights

Now, let’s look at what we discussed in this episode:

  • Step One: Define Your ‘Why’
  • Step Two: Educate Yourself
  • Step Three: Start Small
  • Step Four: Build a Team
  • Step Five: Take Action
  • Final Thoughts & Free Resource

Here’s a breakdown of how this episode unfolds.

Episode Breakdown

[02:33]

Step One: Define Your ‘Why’

Dr. Peter Kim emphasizes that the first step in real estate investing is understanding why you want to do it. Investing without a clear purpose can lead to confusion, lack of motivation, and impulsive decision-making. Whether it’s financial freedom, creating passive income, securing a future for your family, or simply having more control over your time, identifying your personal motivation will guide your journey.

For Dr. Kim, real estate was a pathway to freedom—freedom to spend more time with his family, cut back on work hours, and still have financial security. He encourages listeners to reflect on their own goals and write them down. Clarity in purpose will help investors stay committed even when challenges arise, market conditions fluctuate, or fear sets in.

Without a strong why, it’s easy to get distracted or give up when things get tough. Real estate is a long-term game, and having a clear vision makes it easier to push through the learning curve. Dr. Kim reassures listeners that defining their why will keep them focused on what truly matters in their journey.

[03:32]

Step Two: Educate Yourself

Once the why is clear, the next step is education. Dr. Kim stresses that real estate investing can feel intimidating at first, but breaking it into small, consistent learning sessions can make a huge difference. The good news? Busy professionals don’t need to spend hours every day studying—just 10 to 15 minutes a day can add up over time.

He shares his own experience of learning by listening to podcasts, reading blogs, attending meetups, and eventually going to real estate conferences. Each small action built on the previous one, giving him the confidence to move forward. He encourages listeners to start simple—whether that’s listening to a podcast, reading an article, or having a conversation with someone who has experience in real estate.

Education is the foundation for making informed investment decisions. Understanding key concepts like cash flow, appreciation, and tax benefits will help new investors avoid costly mistakes. He reminds listeners that, just like in medicine, knowledge builds confidence, and taking time to learn will pay off in the long run.

[04:32]

Step Three: Start Small

Dr. Kim highlights the importance of starting with small investments instead of diving in headfirst. Many new investors get stuck in “analysis paralysis,” feeling like they need to know everything before making a move. However, real progress comes from taking small, calculated steps.

He shares his own first investment: a $5,000 crowdfunded real estate deal. While it wasn’t a huge risk, it still felt nerve-wracking. But making that initial investment helped him understand the process, build confidence, and eventually scale to larger deals. He encourages listeners to take a similar approach—starting with a manageable investment, such as a real estate syndication with a low minimum, a crowdfunded deal, or even a real estate investment trust (REIT).

Starting small reduces risk while allowing new investors to gain hands-on experience. Even if the first investment isn’t perfect, the lessons learned will be invaluable. Dr. Kim reassures listeners that taking action, even in small ways, is what leads to long-term success.

[07:37]

Step Four: Build a Team

Real estate investing isn’t something that has to be done alone. Dr. Kim stresses that building a strong support system is one of the smartest moves an investor can make. Having the right team in place—including real estate agents, lenders, CPAs, and mentors—can make the entire process smoother and more successful.

When starting out, he leaned on experienced investors who had been through the process before. Some were years ahead of him, while others were just a few steps ahead, but every relationship helped him learn faster. He also found that being part of a real estate community, whether in person or online, gave him access to valuable insights, shared experiences, and networking opportunities.

He encourages listeners to seek out mentorship and surround themselves with people who understand the industry. Whether it’s joining an investor group, hiring an experienced real estate professional, or simply connecting with other like-minded investors, having a team will accelerate growth and reduce stress.

[08:23]

Step Five: Take Action

The final and most critical step is taking action. Dr. Kim explains that many people spend years learning about real estate but never actually invest because they are afraid of making mistakes. Fear of losing money, lack of time, and uncertainty are all common concerns, but without action, nothing changes.

He reminds listeners that they don’t need to know everything before getting started. Even small actions—such as attending a meetup, reaching out to a real estate agent, or setting an investment goal—can make a huge difference. The key is to stop waiting for the perfect time and start moving forward.

Taking action doesn’t necessarily mean buying a property right away. It means doing something that moves the needle forward, whether that’s researching investment opportunities, networking with professionals, or making a financial plan. The longer someone waits, the longer it will take to see results.

[10:45]

Final Thoughts & Free Resource

Peter wraps up the episode by recapping the five steps: Define your why, educate yourself, start small, build a team, and take action. He reminds listeners that real estate investing is a journey, not an overnight success, and that small, consistent steps will lead to big results over time.

To help new investors take their first step, he offers a free resource: the 2025 Real Estate Strategy Comparison Guide for Physicians. This guide breaks down different real estate investment strategies and helps physicians decide which one aligns best with their goals, risk tolerance, and time commitment. Listeners can download it by following the link in the show notes.

Peter closes with an encouraging message: The best time to start was yesterday, but the second-best time is today. Taking even one small action today can set the foundation for financial freedom in the future.

YOU KNOW ALL TOO WELL THAT ENTREPRENEURSHIP CAN BE A LONELY BUSINESS.

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