How to Start Investing in Real Estate – Knack 4 Business with Fred Crouch

GROWTH PILLAR: Real Estate WHO THIS IS FOR: SMB owners, solopreneurs, corporate escapees, and leaders ready to put their money to work in real estate. WHAT THEY'LL GAIN: Actionable strategies for starting in real estate, hard-won lessons on avoiding common scams, and real frameworks for building a property portfolio over time.   Most people overcomplicate real estate. Fred Crouch keeps it simple. Fred is a commercial realtor and the founder of Gentry Real Estate Services and Gentry Learning. He works with first-time investors and seasoned buyers to help them make smarter property decisions. On this episode of Knack 4 Business, Fred sits down with hosts Bernie Franzgrote and Wayne Pratt to talk about what it actually takes to start investing in real estate — and what to watch out for. What they cover: Fred starts with the oldest rule in investing: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. He talks about why chasing high returns often leads to loss — and how too many first-time investors end up holding a sixth or seventh mortgage on a project gone sideways. He breaks down the difference between passive investing — think REITs and real estate shares — and active investing, where you own and manage tangible property. For most beginners, Fred recommends starting with something you can drive past. Something real. Fred also unpacks co-tenancy agreements — one of the most practical tools for building a portfolio faster without going it alone. Pooling resources with like-minded investors lets you get into the market now instead of spending years playing catch-up with rising prices. The long game is the point. Fred uses a simple example: buy one property at 25 or 30 years old, hold it, rent it out, and let natural appreciation do the work. By retirement, that single investment could be worth double — paid for largely by your tenants. Connect with Fred Crouch: Website: http://www.gentryres.com Learning Platform: https://www.gentrylearning.com/ Courses: https://www.gentrylearning.com/courses Podcast: https://www.gentrylearning.com/podcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3PSA7BgqQ1sjNOGs6RzvsN Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/gentrylearning/ LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/fcrouch/ Email: [email protected] Also mentioned: Wayne Pratt, co-host — https://www.linkedin.com/in/prattwayne/ This episode is brought to you by: Gentry Learning — Real estate education built for beginners. Take your first step with confidence. Property Wizard — Smart tools for real estate investors at every level. Canada Growth Network + GHL — Real introductions. Real tools. $47 CAD/month, first month $1. No contract. Take the next step: Questions? Email us: [email protected] Join Canada Growth Network: https://canadagrowthnetwork.com/ghl — $47 CAD/mo, no contract Subscribe so you never miss an episode Listen on K4B: https://knack4business.com/   K4B ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS A big thank you to the people who make Knack 4 Business possible: Carl Richards — Podcast Solutions Made Simple Fred Crouch — Property Wizard Jovan Strika — @Hive Melanie Webber — Business Partner Disclaimer: Everything you heard today is for educational purposes only. It's not professional advice. Before you act on anything — talk to a certified expert in your area. Your accountant. Your lawyer. Someone who knows your situation.We share perspectives. You make the decisions.Want more? Head over to blog.knack4business.com — packed with practical episodes on AI, marketing, leadership, and growth. No fluff. Just the good stuff. Subscribe while you're there.Until next time; keep building. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.