My First Buy and Hold

[Shakeyla Kelly]

Investment Info:

Small multi-family (2-4 units) buy & hold investment.

Purchase price: $117,000
Cash invested: $10,000

I purchased a duplex and currently reside on one side.

What made you interested in investing in this type of deal?

I divorced and adapted to an investor’s mindset so that I can take care of my children.

How did you find this deal and how did you negotiate it?

It was on Zillow and I connected with a realtor.

How did you finance this deal?

FHA loan

How did you add value to the deal?

I did minor cosmetic updates—painting, changing out light fixtures, and updating the floors.

What was the outcome?

The second year (2021) I secured my first tenant. I’m currently on my second tenant (2023).

Lessons learned? Challenges?

Screen your tenants! My first tenant destroyed my property and I eventually had to evict.