Building Wealth Through Strategic Property Investments

[Rosmery Then]

Investment Info:

Townhouse other investment.

Purchase price: $236,000
Cash invested: $10,000

This October, I began renting out a property that I inherited from my mother, creating a steady cash flow each month from the rental income. This property holds a lot of sentimental value for me, and I’m excited to see it contributing to my investment portfolio. In addition to this, I own a property in Plantation, Florida, where I’m exploring the potential to add apartments or convert it into a multifamily unit. As I continue to grow my real estate portfolio, I’m actively looking for other commercial and residential investment opportunities to expand my footprint in the market.

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

I’ve always been passionate about real estate, and my interest in investing grew even stronger when I inherited a property from my mother, which I began renting out in October 2024. The experience of generating consistent cash flow from that rental property opened my eyes to the potential of leveraging real estate as a long-term wealth-building tool. I’m now focused on expanding my portfolio, especially through multifamily conversions and exploring commercial real estate deals.

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

The property I started renting in October 2024 was actually inherited from my mother, so it holds both financial and sentimental value for me. Given that this deal was unique due to the inheritance, there wasn’t a traditional negotiation process involved. However, once I decided to rent it out, I focused on analyzing the rental market in the area, ensuring the property was priced competitively to attract reliable tenants while generating steady cash flow.

How did you finance this deal?

For this deal, my mother and I secured financing through a Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR) loan, which allowed us to borrow based on the rental income potential of the property. We were able to leverage 70% of the home's value, using that financing to maximize the cash flow from the rental. The structure of the loan, which was primarily based on the property's rental income, provided us with the flexibility to reinvest the funds. Our plan is to use the loan proceeds to acquire more properties

How did you add value to the deal?

We significantly increased the property’s value by making strategic improvements. This included installing new tile flooring at the front of the house to enhance curb appeal, upgrading the electrical panels for safety and efficiency, and putting on a new roof to ensure long-term durability. Additionally, we repainted the interior of the house, giving it a fresh, modern look. These upgrades not only improved the property's overall condition but also positioned it to attract quality tenants

What was the outcome?

The outcome has been very positive. After making the necessary improvements and upgrades, we successfully rented out the property in October 2024, generating consistent monthly cash flow. The enhancements we made not only increased the property's value but also attracted reliable tenants. The rental income from this property is now contributing to our next investment, where we plan to acquire and develop a multifamily property. Overall, this deal has allowed us to establish a solid foundation

Lessons learned? Challenges?

One key lesson I’ve learned is the importance of taking action sooner. While I’m proud of the success of this project, I now realize that I could have benefited from starting my own investments earlier. The process of managing this project was smooth, thanks to my extensive experience managing investment flip projects for other investors. That background gave me the confidence to handle this deal efficiently and make the right decisions. My previous involvement in other investors' projects.

Did you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?

As a real estate agent myself, I handled the real estate side of the transaction, which made the process smooth and efficient. For the financing, I worked with a lender I’ve previously collaborated with on projects for some of my past investor clients. Their expertise in structuring loans, especially for investment properties, was invaluable in securing the right terms for this deal. I would definitely recommend them to others looking for a reliable and knowledgeable lender.