Let’s be honest: most investing advice out there is complicated, expensive, and drier than day-old toast. That’s where I come in. Through honest storytelling, step-by-step courses, and a community that has your back, I’m here to hand you the confidence and tools to plant your first property and actually have fun growing wealth.
Hi, I’m Kelsie! The investor behind Raspberry & Oak and your new friend on this wealth-building journey. I bought my first rental while still grinding away at my day job, discovered that financial freedom really is built one property at a time, and got completely HOOKED. Now my rentals cover my life, and I’m here to help you plant yours, too. One property (and one berry) at a time.
From full-time job to full-time real estate investor.
In Just a Few Years…
I went from picking up extra shifts to owning a growing rental portfolio, leaving my 9-5, AND replacing my paycheck with passive income from real estate.
Let’s set the scene. I had no family in real estate, no rich uncle, and zero investment experience. Plus, my home market was one of the priciest around. Did that stop me from turning my dream into a reality? Nope.
I got obsessed with learning everything I could and surrounded myself with investors who’d already done it. Then I built up the courage to buy my first out-of-state rental, and the rest was history.
Since Going Full Time…
After working my 9-5, I kept working my 5-9 to grow the portfolio, using partnerships, private capital, and a whole lot of consistency to stack doors until my rental income replaced my paycheck. Crazy, right!?
These days I’ve done everything from single-family homes to small multifamily using multiple strategies: short-term rentals, mid-term rentals, flips, and (my personal favorite) long-term rentals. Now I’m passionate about teaching you the ins and outs of building passive income. So grab a handful of berries, and let’s talk real estate!
My Journey to Financial Freedom
2021
Went to my first local real estate meet-ups
Read every investing book I could get my hands on
2022
Made the decision to buy my first rental
Closed on my first doors out of state
2023
Scaled with partnerships & private money
Quit my 9-5
Now
Teaching others how to reach financial freedom through real estate
Continuing to grow the Raspberry & Oak portfolio
Let’s Build YOUR Portfolio & Achieve Financial Freedom
Rooted in Rentals
Your guide to accelerating your real estate journey and unlocking passive income.
Ready to Build Wealth and Leave That 9 to 5 Behind!?
Getting started in real estate can feel overwhelming and confusing. I get it. It’s a big investment and I was terrified at first, too! Enter: Rooted in Rentals. In this step-by-step guide, I’ll hand you a highly actionable path to grow your portfolio AND the confidence to navigate the process every step of the way, all taught by an investor who’s been through the thick of it. Best part? You get lifetime access to work through this self-paced program on your own schedule.
This Is for You If…
You’re ready to start your investing journey and want to skip the classic beginner mistakes.
You’re spinning your wheels. Information overload has turned into analysis paralysis and you need a way out.
You’ve read the books and binged the podcasts but still can’t figure out how to actually start.
We’ll Cover
01. Roots first: mindset & goals +
Set yourself up for success before you buy anything
Create a vision that guides your goals & strategy
Break big goals into small, consistent action steps
02. Pick your strategy +
See every option from fully passive to very active
Weigh the pros and cons of each strategy for YOUR goals
Commit to one strategy (no shiny object syndrome here)
03. Choose your market +
Identify your competitive advantage in any market
Analyze the key metrics that match your goals
Narrow down to the one market you’ll zero in on
04. Build your core 5 team +
Know the “Core 5” members every investor needs
Find quality team members in any market
Use strategic questions to vet them like a pro
05. Analyze deals like a pro +
Build your personal “buy box” that defines a good deal for you
Source the inputs you need to analyze with confidence
Make numbers-based decisions with clear criteria
06. Financing & loan lingo +
Talk to lenders with confidence
Match loan options to different kinds of projects
Understand the timeline and process of getting funded
07. Making offers +
Know the main components of a strong offer
Track the major milestones after your offer is accepted
Make your offers more competitive
08. Due diligence +
Use checklists to guide every step of the process
Run physical, financial, and legal due diligence
Navigate re-negotiations when surprises come up
09. Renovations +
Vet the right contractor for your project
Create a clear scope of work
Run renovations efficiently, even from far away
10. Property management +
Decide whether to self-manage or hire it out
Vet a property management company
Learn the basics of finding a quality tenant
Bonus: Systems to scale +
Ready to grow? Set up the key systems & processes that build a solid foundation for your next deal and every one after that.
I share both the ups AND the downs of investing. The wins feel that much sweeter after pushing through the challenges!
Small, consistent action wins any day. We turn overwhelm into momentum by breaking big goals into the very next step.
Simple + actionable = a recipe for success. No analysis paralysis here. You get a roadmap from start to finish.
Become a Passive Partner!
Want all of the benefits of investing in real estate, but none of the work?
Invest Without the Stress
Limited on time? Focused on your 9-5? Passive partnerships may be exactly what you’re looking for. Let’s break down two types of passive investments:
Equity Partnerships.
Like the sound of more upside? In exchange for your investment, you get part ownership. The better the property performs, the better your return!
Think of yourself like the bank. In exchange for lending, you earn a fixed interest rate. We handle the work while you collect “mailbox money.” Headache-free investing!
Private investments can be secured a few ways, most commonly through a personal guarantee backed by the borrower’s assets, or a mortgage that ties the loan to the physical property. Documents vary by deal, amount, structure, and investor preference.
What kind of returns are typical? +
Returns vary widely deal to deal, especially in an equity position where returns move with performance. If you’re curious about current opportunities, fill out the contact form and let’s chat!
When do I get my money back? +
Lending terms typically range from under a year to a few years, depending on the project.
How much do I need to invest? +
Minimums vary by deal. Reach out and we’ll walk through what’s open right now and whether it fits your goals.
I want to raise private money for MY deals. How do I learn? +
Learning to raise private capital was the key to growing my business fast! I created a workshop that teaches the ins and outs of finding, raising, and using private money. You’ll find it in the shop.
Let’s Grab Coffee and Talk Deals.
Tell me what you are looking for and I’ll reach out personally with what is open right now.
Taking your resources a step further, here are my favorite books, podcasts, and channels to help you on your journey to building wealth. Click a spine to pull it off the shelf!
Long-Distance Real Estate Investing
Long-Distance Real Estate InvestingDavid Greene
Book
Long-Distance Real Estate Investing
By David Greene
The first real estate book I read! If you’re living in an expensive market, or your market doesn’t work for your strategy, this book opens up the possibility of investing out of state.
Raising Private Capital
Raising Private CapitalMatt Faircloth
Book
Raising Private Capital
By Matt Faircloth
The playbook for growing beyond your own savings. If you want to scale with other people’s money (the right way), start here.
Estimating Rehab Costs
Estimating Rehab CostsJ Scott
Book
Estimating Rehab Costs
By J Scott
Renovations are where deals are made or broken. This one taught me how to walk a property and budget the work with confidence.
The House Hacking Strategy
The House Hacking StrategyCraig Curelop
Book
The House Hacking Strategy
By Craig Curelop
If your down payment fund is small, house hacking is the lowest-cost door into real estate. A perfect first-deal blueprint.
BiggerPockets Podcast
BiggerPockets PodcastPodcast
Podcast
BiggerPockets Podcast
Weekly episodes
Hundreds of investor interviews at every level. I listened on every commute while saving for my first deal. It’s free mentorship in your ears.
Rich Dad Poor Dad
Rich Dad Poor DadRobert Kiyosaki
Book
Rich Dad Poor Dad
By Robert Kiyosaki
The classic mindset shift: assets in, liabilities out. Read it early; it changes how you look at every dollar.
The Millionaire Real Estate Investor
The Millionaire Real Estate InvestorGary Keller
Book
The Millionaire Real Estate Investor
By Gary Keller
Models and frameworks from hundreds of investors. When you’re ready to think bigger than one door, this is the map.
The Essentials
Whether you’re a rookie or ready to #scaleup, these will help you level up your business.
Landlord Banking
An all-in-one home for your rental finances: banking, bookkeeping, and rent collection made just for landlords.
