Costa Karellas didn’t grow up dreaming of real estate. But after one big flip and a smart pivot, he built a business that runs while he sleeps.

Want to make money in real estate but don’t know where to start? Costa did his first house flip and made $120,000. Now, he runs a successful wholesaling business—without even owning the homes!

His story shows how flipping and wholesaling real estate for beginners can open the door to big success. Whether you’re brand new or looking for a better way to invest, Costa’s journey has smart lessons anyone can follow.

From Marine Corps to Real Estate Investor

Before real estate, Costa was a captain in the Marine Corps. He led a battalion of 650 Marines. That job taught him leadership, time management, and how to stay calm under pressure. These skills helped him when he started investing in real estate.

"The best education on leadership... I ran a battalion of 650 Marines," Costa says.

The Marine Corps also taught Costa to plan backward. This means starting with a goal and working back to figure out the steps needed to reach it. He uses this same process today when buying and selling houses.

How to Flip a House for Profit: Costa’s First Big Win

Costa’s first deal was a house flip in Boston. He bought the home, fixed it up, and sold it for a $120,000 profit. That’s when he realized real estate could be a full-time career. If you’ve ever wondered how to flip a house for profit, Costa’s story shows it starts with learning the market and being ready to act.

But Costa didn’t stop there.

Why Costa Moved to Wholesaling Real Estate

Even though flipping houses can make a lot of money, it takes a lot of time and cash. Costa and his partner, Mike, wanted to grow faster. So they switched to wholesaling real estate. Wholesaling means finding distressed properties and selling those deals to other investors. You don’t even have to buy the house yourself.

They picked Kansas City because it’s one of the best cities for real estate investment in 2025. It has lower prices than Boston and fewer people competing for deals. That made it perfect for starting a remote wholesale business.

What Is Wholesaling Real Estate?

It’s a way to make money in real estate by finding great property deals and selling them to investors—without fixing or owning the home.

Why Wholesaling Real Estate for Beginners Works

Wholesaling is great for beginners because:

• It needs less money. You don’t have to buy the property, just find a good deal.
• It’s fast. You can do many deals in a short time.
• You can do it from anywhere. Costa runs his business from a distance. This is called virtual wholesaling real estate.

This is why many people are now searching how to start virtual wholesaling real estate—it’s beginner-friendly and doesn’t require owning property.

Want to see how Costa explains his real estate strategy in his own words? Watch this quick video to learn how he went from flipping houses to building a remote wholesaling business!

Learning from the First Flip

Flipping that first house wasn’t easy. Costa and Mike had to manage costs, plan for delays, and understand the Boston market. That experience taught them the importance of having a backup plan and knowing how to adapt.

It also made them realize wholesaling would help them grow faster and with fewer risks. With wholesaling, they could focus on speed and volume instead of big one-time flips.

Building a Real Estate Team That Works

Costa works with two partners. Mike is great at making quick decisions, while Costa is more analytical. Their third partner, Alex, lives in Kansas City. He handles property acquisitions and builds relationships with sellers and buyers.

This mix of skills helps their wholesale real estate business run smoothly. It’s a great example of how to build a real estate team that works.

Top Real Estate Investment Strategies from Costa

Costa’s journey gives us some great tips:

• Start with the end in mind. Like in the military, plan backward from your goal.
• Keep learning. He reads books, studies the market, and always looks for ways to improve.
• Be flexible. The market changes. Be ready to try new things, like Costa did when switching to wholesaling.
• Work with a team. Having partners who balance your strengths is key.
• Use your resources wisely. Time, money, and people—use them where they’ll make the biggest impact.

Costa’s story proves you don’t need a lot of money to get started in real estate. Whether you flip houses or learn how to start wholesaling houses, you can grow fast by learning, planning, and working with a great team. Real estate investment strategies don’t have to be hard. Just take it one step at a time—just like Costa did. Your first big deal could be the start of something amazing!

Want to learn more? Start exploring real estate investment strategies today. Who knows—your first big deal could be just around the corner.