REAL ESTATE INVESTING For beginners
I designed this beginner-friendly, self-paced eLearning course to introduce aspiring real estate investors to the foundational knowledge, language, and decision-making skills needed to confidently analyze and engage in their first deal.
The course blends scenario-based learning and interactive knowledge checks to support real-world application without overwhelming new learners.
-
Aspiring first-time real estate investors seeking an accessible, high-level overview of the investing process without a paywall or jargon-heavy approach.
-
Instructional Design
Content Architecture
Scenario Writing
Graphic Design
Learning Development (Rise 360)
Survey and Evaluation Setup
-
Rise 360
AI Image Generation
Canva
Google Forms
Mural
OneNote
The Problem
Real estate investing has become an increasingly popular path to building wealth, but for beginners, the learning curve is steep and often discouraging. Many aspiring investors are eager to take their first steps but quickly become overwhelmed by jargon-heavy content, fragmented advice, and high-pressure offers to buy expensive courses or coaching programs. While there are abundant resources online, most are either too shallow to be useful or locked behind a paywall, creating a barrier to entry for learners who need foundational knowledge in order to make confident decisions.
The subject matter expert (SME) I partnered with was in the process of developing a paid, in-depth course designed for serious learners ready to take action. However, he recognized a gap in his learner journey: there was no free, accessible content that could serve as an on-ramp for new investors. We needed a learning experience that would equip beginners with enough understanding to determine if real estate investing was right for them — without giving away the more advanced material meant for his paid offering. At the same time, this course needed to reflect high-quality instructional design, build credibility, and avoid contributing to the noisy, sales-driven environment that many new learners find off-putting.
The solution
To solve this, I designed a modular, self paced scenario-based eLearning course in Rise 360 that introduces the key building blocks of real estate investing in a practical, approachable way. The course was built specifically for first-time learners who are exploring real estate as a potential path but aren’t ready to commit to a full-scale program. Each lesson focuses on one core concept — from mindset and terminology to analyzing deals, understanding funding options, and identifying key players in the process.
Rather than replicating the structure of a formal investing course, I took a learning experience approach: using interactive blocks, storytelling, and visual guides to help learners connect concepts to real-world actions. A key part of the course was the “Try It Yourself” scenario, where learners make decisions based on a realistic deal walkthrough. This reinforces applied understanding in a low-risk environment.
To extend learning beyond the screen, I designed a downloadable process map, added short reflections, and included a survey at the end of the course to gather learner feedback and measure satisfaction. The result was a high-value, beginner-friendly course that supports learner agency, builds confidence, and acts as a natural lead-in to the SME’s paid offering — without duplicating or undercutting that content.
my process
The design and development of this course began with a focused Discovery & Scoping phase. I collaborated with a real estate subject matter expert (SME) who is concurrently developing a paid, in-depth course. Our goal was to build a free, high-level companion course that introduces core investing concepts without encroaching on the SME’s monetized content. During this phase, I identified key constraints (no paywall overlap, beginner-friendly language, and accessible delivery format) and established the primary audience: first-time investors looking to gain confidence and practical understanding before taking real action.
From there, I transitioned into the Design Strategy phase. I aligned the course structure with the ADDIE model and used scenario-based learning to bridge knowledge and action. I intentionally limited the scope of each lesson to one major takeaway, supported by interactive blocks and visual anchors. I also mapped each module to a specific learner outcome: understanding mindset, defining terms, analyzing deals, and choosing next steps. I incorporated opportunities for reflection, short quizzes, and decision-making practice to create a more “lean-forward” experience within Rise 360.
During the Development phase, I built out the full course in Rise 360, using Process, Tab, Timeline, and Scenario blocks to vary the pacing and deepen learner engagement. I also embedded a custom feedback survey created in Google Forms, integrated directly into the final module to ensure ease of completion.
Finally, I moved into Refinement and QA. I reviewed each module for pacing, clarity, and consistency in tone and design. I also checked accessibility across blocks (e.g., screen reader descriptions for scenarios, alt text for imagery) and ensured the course flow felt intuitive for a beginner-level learner. Throughout this process, I remained mindful of the SME’s long-term goals for monetization, maintaining a clear boundary between foundational content and advanced instruction.
key takeaways
One of the biggest takeaways from this project was learning how to create high-impact learning experiences within the constraints of both a tool (Rise 360) and a business model. While Rise offers a streamlined experience for learners, its limitations around scenario customization and branching forced me to be strategic in how I designed interactions. I learned how to optimize learner engagement by sequencing blocks carefully, using character-based dialogue for realism, and layering visuals and job aids to reduce cognitive load.
Another key insight was the value of early alignment with the SME and clarity around course goals. By understanding what this free course was (and what it wasn’t), I was able to focus on guiding the learner’s mindset, vocabulary, and decision-making skills without veering into territory meant for the paid product. This strategic clarity ensured the project delivered real learner value while preserving the integrity of the SME’s business model.
Finally, this project reinforced how essential it is to close the loop on the learning experience. Including an evaluation survey and reflection opportunities not only allowed learners to process what they gained — it gave me the data and learner feedback I needed to improve the course over time. This full-cycle approach, grounded in ADDIE, gave me a holistic view of course development from vision to learner action.