Tabitha Jones, left, with her brother, Christian Jones. As an experienced real estate investor, she knew how to cast a wide net for her next property. Frances F. Denny for The New York Times

Tabitha Jones can’t sit still. A compliance director for a financial firm, she has also coached volleyball, led wellness retreats, hosted pop-up luxury picnics and made a real estate career in the Bronx and lower Westchester County, N.Y.

Ms. Jones, 38, didn’t intend to become a part-time real estate agent, but when she bought her first property in Westchester County a decade ago — a home for herself, her mother and her younger brother — everyone was so impressed with her diligence on the deal that they urged her to consider being the agent next time.

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Always professionally curious, she took on an administrative role at a brokerage in White Plains, N.Y., on weekends. Since getting her license in 2016 and joining Keller Williams as an agent, she has worked mostly with first-time buyers, friends and acquaintances. Now an experienced investor and agent, she enjoys teaching others.

“She just wants to elevate,” said her brother, Christian Jones, 30.

Ms. Jones recently started a real estate investing club with a group of like-minded friends, all 35-to-40-year-old Afro-Latina women from the Bronx looking to invest in their home borough, which she believes is “the next big thing.”

“There are going to be investors coming in, and they’re going to start taking over the neighborhoods,” she said. “Why can’t we be those investors?”

Her goal is to own five properties. To reach it, she said, “you need to be willing to sacrifice.” She’s grateful to have a job in the finance industry (and her side gigs), and she doesn’t spend money on clothes, shoes or gadgets. Her phone is a hand-me-down, and she wouldn’t replace her car until “the wheels literally fell off.”

Last year, Ms. Jones wanted to purchase her third property, ideally in the Bronx or nearby, which her brother could potentially occupy. He’d been living in a rental in the borough, finding himself after their father’s death, unsure of his next move. For the longer term, she sought a solid investment property that would be easy to rent out and could be a flexible asset, so she looked at everything from condos to multifamily homes to small mixed-use buildings.

“I’m always looking,” Ms. Jones said. “I’m always in that head space.”

Among her options:

No. 1

Stamford Condo at Auction

Frances F. Denny for The New York Times

Ms. Jones couldn’t visit this condo in a big building in Stamford, Conn., which had been listed on Auction.com. She could see that it was bank-owned and vacant and allowed financing. And she knew it had two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a big kitchen and in-unit laundry. There were photos of the building’s exterior, the living room and one bathroom. She wasn’t sure if the photos were recent, nor was there clear information on any needed renovations. She was willing to bid up to $350,000, accounting for Auction.com’s 8 percent fee and the possibility of repairs. Annual property taxes were about $8,900.

No. 2

Bronx Two-Bedroom Co-op

Frances F. Denny for The New York Times

When one of Ms. Jones’s former clients asked her to list this 900-square-foot, two-bedroom, one-bath co-op in a prewar complex in the Pelham Parkway area, Ms. Jones asked if she’d be willing to sell it to her. Listed at $240,000, it was in good condition with great light, city views and a nice layout with the bedrooms on opposite sides. The sixth-floor apartment had a bar area separating the kitchen from the living room, ideal for hosting. By renting it out, she could cover her expenses, and she thought the proximity to the subway would make it appealing to tenants. Maintenance was $904 a month.

Keller Williams NY Realty

No. 3

Dobbs Ferry Fixer-Upper

Frances F. Denny for The New York Times

This 3,000-square-foot mixed-use building in the Westchester village of Dobbs Ferry had a ground-level storefront and two rental units above, all vacant. One was a two-bedroom, one-bath apartment, perfect for Mr. Jones, and the other was a three-bedroom, one-bath unit. Ms. Jones loved the vibe in town, and with her event-planning experience, she was excited about the possibility of opening a community bookstore-cafe in the storefront. The $749,000 asking price was much higher than the other two options, and the building needed significant work — but it could be renovated to the owner’s tastes. Annual property taxes were listed at about $17,000.

Century 21 Real Estate

Find out what happened next by answering these two questions:

Which Would You Choose?

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Stamford Condo at Auction

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Bronx Two-Bedroom Co-op

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Dobbs Ferry Fixer-Upper

Which Did She Buy?

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Stamford Condo at Auction

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Bronx Two-Bedroom Co-op

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Dobbs Ferry Fixer-Upper