Blog - DealMachine for Real Estate Investing

$500K in 6 Months: Real Estate Secrets

Written by Maria Tresvalles | Oct 27, 2024 1:30:00 PM

Have you ever wanted to make a lot of money but didn’t know where to start? Krystal and Dedric Polite were just like that. They found a smart and simple way to earn $500,000 in six months using real estate—without being experts.

How did they do it?

They drove around looking for old houses that might be for sale. Then they used the DealMachine app to help them talk to the owners and make deals. This is called driving for dollars, and it's a great way to get started in real estate—even if you’ve never done it before.

In this blog, you’ll learn exactly how they did it, what tools they used, and how you can do it too.

What Is Driving for Dollars?

“Driving for dollars” is a simple way to find off-market homes—houses not listed on the MLS but still owned by people who might want to sell.

Here’s how it works:

  • Drive through local neighborhoods.
  • Look for houses that seem vacant, neglected, or run-down.
  • Use an app like DealMachine to save the address and contact the owner.

This method is great for beginners. You don’t need to buy expensive leads or run ads—you’re creating your own list of motivated sellers.

How the DealMachine App Helped Them Scale Fast

The Polites didn’t just drive around with a notebook. They used DealMachine to work smarter and faster. The app helped them:

  • Log properties instantly: Take a picture, save the address, done.
  • Send direct mail in one tap: Personalized postcards straight from the app.
  • Track follow-ups: Keep tabs on every lead and its status.
  • Outsource tasks: They even hired a virtual assistant to help manage everything inside the app.

With DealMachine, they built a lead list of over 1,000 off-market properties, each with real potential. That kind of volume would be hard to handle without tech.

The Exact Strategy Krystal & Dedric Used to Make $500K in 6 Months

Their goal was clear: find motivated sellers, close deals fast, and keep scaling. And that’s exactly what they did.

Here’s a breakdown of how the numbers added up:

  • Closed multiple real estate deals in six months
  • Mix of wholesaling and house flipping (majority were wholesale deals)
  • Average profit per deal: $35,000–$50,000
  • Total revenue: Just over $500,000

By staying consistent, following up with leads, and using tools to save time, they were able to scale fast—even without a big team.

Tips from Krystal and Dedric for New Real Estate Investors

Getting started doesn’t require a lot of money, but it does take action. The Polites learned a lot by doing—and they’re now helping others do the same.

Here are some simple tips they share:

  • Drive every week. Even a few hours can turn into big results.
  • Use tech tools. Apps like DealMachine make your process faster and easier.
  • Keep following up. Most deals took multiple touches before sellers responded.
  • Treat it like a real business. Don’t cut corners. Build systems early.
  • Start before you're “ready.” You learn faster when you’re in the game.

Why This Strategy Still Works Today

In 2025, with rising competition and high housing costs, finding off-market deals is more important than ever. That’s why driving for dollars, combined with the right tools, still works.

Here’s why:

  • Low cost: You don’t need a big budget to find leads.
  • Local focus: You’re targeting homes in your area.
  • High conversion: These are motivated sellers others aren’t contacting.

With effort and the right process, anyone can use this approach—even as a side hustle.

Want to Try What Krystal and Dedric Did?

If you're thinking about trying real estate investing but feel unsure where to start, this is a proven method that works.

Use DealMachine to start building your list of off-market properties today.

You just need a car, your phone, and a little drive (pun intended).

Final Thoughts

Krystal and Dedric didn’t start with a lot of money. They didn’t have fancy tools or years of experience. But they had a plan, they worked hard, and they used the right app to help them stay on track.

In just six months, they made half a million dollars flipping houses and finding good deals.

And the best part? You can do the same thing. You don’t need to wait or know everything. All you need is a car, your phone, and the DealMachine app to help you get started.