Dwan Bent-Twyford: How to Make Six Figures in Real Estate?

In a world where job security feels like a relic of the past, many aspiring entrepreneurs dream of breaking free through real estate investing. Imagine transforming from a single parent with just $75 in your pocket to closing over 2,000 deals and building a thriving business. That's the journey of Dwan Bent-Twyford, America's most sought-after real estate investor and host of "The Most Dwanderful Real Estate Podcast Ever." In a recent podcast interview, Dwan shares her raw story of starting from rock bottom after a sudden divorce, losing her home to foreclosure, and getting fired from a Denny's job. Her core message? Put people before profits, focus on distressed properties, and you can achieve financial freedom—potentially hitting six figures in your first six months as a beginner in real estate investing.

Whether you're a young professional tired of the 9-to-5 grind, a mid-career switcher seeking passive income, or a first-generation entrepreneur from an immigrant background aiming to create generational wealth, Dwan's insights offer a relatable roadmap. Her approach demystifies real estate investing for beginners, emphasizing simple strategies over flashy trends.

Why the Market Doesn't Matter in Real Estate Investing

One common barrier for newcomers is fear of market fluctuations. Dwan cuts through this noise: "The market doesn't matter. Now if you're trying to buy from a real estate agent or commercial or something else, the markets matter. But when you're working with those people in the foreclosures, the divorces, the probates, that happens every day, 24 hours a day, around the clock, all the time."

Life events like job loss, illness, divorce, or death create opportunities in distressed properties regardless of economic ups and downs—even during events like COVID. For beginners, this means starting with public records: foreclosures, probates, bankruptcies, unpaid taxes, and recent evictions. These are accessible online in every U.S. county. Think about it— in cities like Denver, thousands are in some phase of foreclosure right now. As a first-generation investor, you might relate to the stress of financial instability; channeling that empathy can help you connect with sellers.

To get started, search your local county clerk's website for foreclosure lists. Resources like BiggerPockets.com offer free guides on how to find foreclosed homes to invest in, helping you build a steady pipeline of deals.

Finding Deals Through Distressed Properties

Dwan's strategy centers on distressed sellers—people facing foreclosure, divorce, or other hardships. "All those things are at the public record. So if you're sort of new, like, I don't know where to start. Just every, every city, every county in the whole entire United States has all of their foreclosure. All that stuff is online."

High-intent searches like "investing in distressed properties guide" or "how to find foreclosed homes to invest in" reveal that these deals often sell below market value, offering quick profits. Reach out via Facebook direct messages or public records to find contact info. Avoid aggressive pitches; instead, offer value first, like free options to delay foreclosure (e.g., loan modifications or short sales).

For global perspectives, note that while U.S. public records are robust, similar opportunities exist internationally through court filings or property auctions. Reflect on your own background— if you've navigated economic challenges, use that to build trust with sellers.

The Power of People Before Profits

At the heart of Dwan's success is empathy. Homeowners in distress go through stages similar to grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. "Your job is to recognize mentally where they're at, and they might not be ready for you. So you have to give them some information and follow up."

She advises providing free resources, like 10 options to buy time in their home, before pushing for a sale. This builds rapport and leads to more deals. As Dwan puts it, "If y'all will spend more time focusing on the homeowner and where they are and not on you and getting a paycheck, you will find out that you will get so many deals."

For underrepresented entrepreneurs, this mindset aligns with community-focused values, turning investing into a way to help others while profiting.

Avoiding Pitfalls: Shiny Objects and Moral Alignment

Beginners often fall for "shiny object syndrome"—ads promising passive riches without basics. Dwan warns: "Nothing pisses me off more than stuff like that. Because what happens is you have a person that's a great marketer, but they don't know anything about the basics of real estate investing.

"Instead, align with mentors whose morals match yours. Google them, check reviews, and ensure they emphasize ethical practices. Books like "Rich Dad Poor Dad" by Robert Kiyosaki (available on Amazon) reinforce this, teaching cash flow over quick schemes.

Challenge yourself: Have you chased trends before? Shift to proven methods like wholesaling real estate step by step.

Wholesaling: Your Fast Track to Six Figures

For real estate investing for beginners, Dwan recommends wholesaling. "If you don't know where to start, start wholesaling. It is the path of least resistance. It's the least amount of mistakes that you can make and it's a big reward."

In wholesaling, you find a distressed property, contract it at a low price, and assign the contract to a buyer (like a rehabber) for a fee—often $25,000-$40,000 per deal. No need for big capital; focus on "beginner real estate investing with no money" strategies. Her students average $108,000 in their first six months by mastering scripts and homeowner interactions.

Explore "making money wholesaling houses" through sites like Investopedia.com for contract basics.

What Is Wholesaling in Real Estate?

Wholesaling involves securing a property under contract and selling that contract to an end buyer without owning it. It's ideal for beginners due to low risk.

How Do I Find Distressed Sellers?

Use public records for foreclosures and evictions. Tools like PropStream (propstream.com) can streamline searches.

Building Generational Wealth

Dwan views real estate as a vehicle for lasting change. "We are the first two people in both lines of our family. We're the first two people that became millionaires... So one thing is, it has to start somewhere."

Aim for financial freedom: more vacations, charity work, and family time. For diverse backgrounds, this means breaking cycles of financial struggle.

In summary, making six figures in real estate boils down to focusing on people, targeting distressed properties, and starting with wholesaling. Dwan's story proves it's possible even from humble beginnings.

Ready to act? Research local foreclosures today, listen to Dwan's podcast for more tips. What's one action you'll take?