504 | The Top 10 Markets for Rookie Investors in 2026
BiggerPockets just shared a list of the top 10 markets for rookie investors, and Jacksonville came in at the top!That sounds like good news if you are thinking about buying your first rental property. But choosing the right city is only one part of making a smart first investment.That’s why this week on the Not Your Average Investor Show, JWB Co-Founder Gregg Cohen and host Pablo Gonzalez are breaking down the list and talking about what first-time investors should really look for before they buy.You’ll learn:✅ Why Jacksonville stands out as a market for new investors✅ Why your first investment should be about avoiding big mistakes before chasing the biggest return✅ How to think about the market, the property, and the team helping you invest✅ What makes Jacksonville worth considering beyond one rankingYour first rental property can shape how you think about investing for years to come. The goal is not just to buy in a market that made a list. It is to make a decision that gives you a strong foundation for building long-term wealth.Listen NOW!Chapters:00:00 Show Kickoff01:57 Inc Best Workplaces Win03:40 Why Awards Matter06:09 Five Million Cash Flow08:23 Top 10 Rookie Markets11:11 What Makes a Rookie Market11:53 Survivability Comes First14:32 The Right Team Matters17:39 Affordability And Cash Flow23:20 Rental Demand And Runway26:24 Diversified Economy Teaser26:34 Job Base and Anchors28:02 Fortune 500 vs Industry Mix29:51 Negative Cash Flow Explained32:44 Incentives and Trust36:37 Market Evaluation Prism38:20 Appreciation First Cities41:32 Cheap Cash Flow Traps45:22 Population Growth and Perception49:14 Goldilocks Markets Texas Florida51:45 Why Jacksonville Wins54:57 Operator First Takeaway58:17 Wrap Up and Next ShowStay connected to us! Join our real estate investor community LIVE: https://jwbrealestatecapital.com/nyai/Schedule a Turnkey strategy call: https://jwbrealestatecapital.com/turnkey/ *Get social with us:*Subscribe to our channel @notyouraverageinvestor Subscribe to @JWBRealEstateCompanies 🌐 Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/rentalpropertyinvesting📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nyai_community📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jwbrealestatecompanies




