How a Full-Time Teacher Made $25K Wholesaling Real Estate in Just One Year

Start Wholesaling With No Money Using Cold Calls, Consistency, and Free Tools

Ralph Rodriguez, a New York City special education teacher, made $25,000 wholesaling real estate in his first year. He used cold calling, driving for dollars, Facebook groups, and daily consistency, without a budget or quitting his job.

Who Is Ralph Rodriguez, the Teacher Turned Real Estate Wholesaler?

Ralph Rodriguez is a full-time NYC special education teacher who built a wholesale real estate business on the side and closed a $25,000 deal within one year.

Ralph works in the New York City public school system, supporting high school students with special needs. While committed to teaching, his income could not keep pace with the cost of living. He wanted a way to build savings and eventually invest, but believed real estate required money he didn’t have.

That belief kept him stuck until he discovered real estate wholesaling, a strategy that allows investors to earn fees by connecting motivated sellers with buyers, without buying property themselves.

In this episode of the DealMachine Real Estate Investing Podcast, Ralph Rodriguez shares how he went from a full-time teacher to closing $25K wholesale deals. Want to hear the full story in his own words? Watch the full interview below:

Why Did Ralph Choose Wholesaling Over Traditional Real Estate Investing?

Wholesaling allowed Ralph to start in real estate with no money, no license, and no credit.

Like many beginners, Ralph believed the common myth that you must be wealthy to start in real estate. As a teacher in New York City, he didn’t have extra capital, and that assumption delayed his start for years.

Wholesaling changed that. Through YouTube, he learned that wholesaling focuses on:

• Finding distressed or motivated sellers
• Getting properties under contract
• Assigning those contracts to cash buyers

This approach removed the biggest barrier he faced: money.

How Did Ralph Rodriguez Close His First Real Estate Deal Without a Buyer List?

He used Facebook groups to JV a deal and found a buyer after securing the opportunity.

Ralph’s first deal was a joint venture (JV) in Alabama. At the time, he had no buyers, no paid tools, and limited experience. But he took action anyway.

He posted and messaged inside Facebook real estate groups, offering help selling a property. When an investor needed assistance, Ralph agreed, then immediately went to work finding a buyer.

Using Facebook, he located an active buyer, assigned the deal, and earned $5,000.

That first check funded better tools and proved the model worked.

How Did Ralph Make $25,000 From a Single Wholesale Deal in New Jersey?

He found a distressed property by driving for dollars, contacted the owner, and followed a simple wholesale process.

Ralph’s largest deal came from New Jersey, where higher home prices often create larger assignment spreads.

How the $25,000 Deal Happened:

1. He drove for dollars and spotted a distressed property
2. Used a skip-tracing tool to find the owner’s contact info
3. Called the seller using a simple script
4. Got the property under contract
5. Assigned it to a buyer and closed

The result was a $25,000 assignment fee, earned through daily habits, not luck.

How Did Ralph Wholesale While Working Full-Time as a Teacher?

He made cold calls during lunch breaks and followed up after school.

Ralph didn’t wait for summer break. He built his wholesaling business during the school year by using small time blocks:

• Cold calling during lunch instead of eating
• Following up with leads after school
• Driving for dollars on evenings and weekends
• Using summers for longer call sessions

“If you work too much, find one hour. That hour turns into two, then four.”

His consistency, not free time, created results.

What Tools and Scripts Does Ralph Use for Wholesaling?

Ralph uses simple scripts, skip tracing, and driving-for-dollars tools to keep the process efficient.

Ralph struggled early with skip tracing and organizing leads. He simplified his system using:

• DealMachine for driving for dollars and skip tracing
• Basic cold calling scripts that focus on conversation, not pressure
• Virtual assistants for initial dials as he scaled
• CRMs and call logs to manage follow-ups

Ralph’s Basic Cold Call Structure:

1. Introduce himself and confirm ownership
2. Ask if the seller would consider an offer
3. Learn the seller’s timeline and situation
4. Set a clear next step

He avoids long explanations and lets sellers talk.

How Does Ralph Find Cash Buyers for Free? (Step-by-Step)

He gets the deal first, then posts it where real buyers already are.

How to Find Cash Buyers for Free:

1. Join local Facebook real estate groups
2. Search by city or zip code inside the group
3. Look for users commenting “buying” or “selling”
4. Message them directly with a real deal
5. Use FSBO and “For Rent” listings to find landlords
6. Send property links, not vague “buyer list” requests

“Post the deal. Buyers will reply. Finding buyers is the easiest part.”

Why Do Most New Wholesalers Quit, and How Did Ralph Avoid That?

Most quit too early. Ralph committed to volume and consistency.

Many beginners expect results after 50 or 100 calls. Ralph sets expectations differently.

He uses 1,000 calls as a mental baseline. That number keeps him focused long enough to build skill, confidence, and follow-up momentum.

“There are eight billion people in the world. Keep calling.”

Rejection didn’t stop him; inconsistency does.

How Can Beginners Start Wholesaling Houses With No Money?

Focus on daily actions, not expensive systems.

Beginner Wholesaling Checklist:

• Cold call at least 100 people per day
• Drive for dollars consistently
• Leave handwritten cards on distressed homes
• Use Facebook before paid tools
• Track every lead and follow up daily
• Expect rejection and keep going

“With $25 and ugly business cards, you can get a deal.”

What Is Ralph’s Long-Term Plan After Wholesaling?

Use wholesaling income to buy and hold rental properties.

Ralph plans to transition into ownership using the BRRRR strategy:

• Buy distressed homes
• Rehab them
• Rent them
• Refinance
• Repeat

He’s targeting markets like Detroit while continuing to wholesale with help from virtual assistants.

Frequently Asked Questions About Wholesaling Real Estate

How can I start wholesaling real estate with no money?

Use free tools like Facebook, drive for dollars, and cold call owners daily. Time and consistency matter more than money.

What is a JV deal in wholesaling?

A JV (joint venture) is when one wholesaler brings the deal and another brings the buyer. They split the assignment fee.

How many cold calls should I make per day?

Ralph recommends at least 100 per day, with real momentum building after 1,000 total calls.

Can I wholesale with a full-time job?

Yes. Ralph built his business during lunch breaks and after school. One focused hour a day is enough to start.

Final Takeaway: Consistency Beats Everything

Ralph’s story isn’t about shortcuts. It’s about showing up daily, calling, driving, following up, and repeating the process.

He didn’t wait for perfect conditions. He used what he had: time, effort, and consistency.

The work works, if you stay in it long enough.