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All Forum Posts by: Wale Lawal

Wale Lawal has started 85 posts and replied 4383 times.

Post: What should I do with my commercial building?

Wale Lawal
Posted
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Houston | Dallas | Austin, TX
  • Posts 4,556
  • Votes 2,425

@Toby Tobe

You’re in a strong position with both residential and commercial properties and stable tenants—well done. Once the commercial building is officially in your name, refinancing to pull equity can be a great move if the cash flow on the new duplex still works after you factor in your new mortgage payments. Just be sure to weigh the long-term returns of keeping that equity in the commercial asset versus using it to eliminate debt and reinvest.

Good luck!

Post: Investing in House Hacking

Wale Lawal
Posted
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Houston | Dallas | Austin, TX
  • Posts 4,556
  • Votes 2,425

@Kaden Littlefield

Welcome to BP and props to you for starting your real estate journey so young! As a 20-year-old electrician with a strong savings mindset, you’re already laying a solid foundation. House hacking is a smart first move—it can help you live for free (or cheap) while building equity and learning the ropes of being a landlord. Keep soaking up info, network with local investors, and when you're ready to run numbers or analyze deals.

Good luck!

Post: When to buy

Wale Lawal
Posted
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Houston | Dallas | Austin, TX
  • Posts 4,556
  • Votes 2,425

@Jaime Zarate

Great question—and you're definitely not alone in wondering this. The truth is, there’s rarely a “perfect” time to buy a house that everyone agrees on. The market can dip, but over time, real estate generally appreciates. So instead of timing the market, focus on whether it's the right time for you—meaning you’re financially ready, you’ve found a solid deal, and you can hold the property long enough to ride out any short-term dips. If the numbers make sense now (e.g. monthly payments, rental income if applicable), that’s more important than trying to predict a crash that may or may not come.

Good luck!

Post: Looking for NYC Realtor for First Purchase

Wale Lawal
Posted
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Houston | Dallas | Austin, TX
  • Posts 4,556
  • Votes 2,425

@Kevin Dzikowski

Congrats on graduating and planning ahead for your first purchase! Since you're aiming to house hack with an FHA loan in NYC, you'll want a Realtor who not only understands the complexities of FHA-approved condos but also knows which buildings allow rentals and have solid long-term potential. Focus on connecting with an agent who has firsthand experience with house hacking or has helped similar clients—this insight can be invaluable.

Good luck!

Post: Unsure how to think about debt relating to real estate

Wale Lawal
Posted
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Houston | Dallas | Austin, TX
  • Posts 4,556
  • Votes 2,425
Quote from @Jules Aton:
Quote from @Caleb Brown:

Love Dave Ramsey. Dave Ramsey got burned by over leveraging and he would use cash and not use leveraging when he restarted. It's a slower way to scale but he has the income where it doesn't matter. I think you have to figure out where you are risk wise. Leveraging is a tool. If used too much you can sink  your ship. Not using any can be a slow way to grow. I do agree in not racking up personal debt(credit cards, vehicle's, etc). Having too much personal debt will hurt you for investing. Your income is one of the best tools to grow your wealth and debt drags that down. Focus on a house hack out the gate along with saving and building a strong foundation(income, budgeting). As you buy your first property you can learn and decide where to go next. 

 Well said and I think under appreciated in RE circles. Using RE as leverage for more deals can be a tool to expand quicker than one could otherwise but overleveraging can be the kiss of death. Finding the middle ground is key. And as @Wale Lawal noted your upbringing may serve you well to find that balance. 

@Jules Aton

 Great point 

Post: New to investing in Houston

Wale Lawal
Posted
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Houston | Dallas | Austin, TX
  • Posts 4,556
  • Votes 2,425
Quote from @Noah Francis:

@Wale Lawal Thanks for sharing this—super solid advice! I really like how you touched on DSCR loans and house hacking, especially in Houston's more emerging areas. Aligning with population and job growth is key, and zoning can definitely make or break a deal long-term. Appreciate the insight—motivating stuff for anyone getting started!


 You are most welcome. All the best and keep us posted on your progress.

Post: Good areas in and around Houston for single family rental investments

Wale Lawal
Posted
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Houston | Dallas | Austin, TX
  • Posts 4,556
  • Votes 2,425

@Amit Dhawan

Great to see you getting started in the Houston market! Look into areas like Spring Branch, Cypress, Katy, and parts of Southeast Houston where you can still find value and strong rental demand. A solid investment typically means good cash flow, low vacancy rates, and neighborhood growth potential—avoid flood-prone zones and older homes with hidden rehab costs. If you’d like help analyzing deals or picking the right submarket, DM me and I’ll point you in the right direction.

Good luck!

Post: Looking to Learn — Will Work for Experience (Seriously)

Wale Lawal
Posted
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Houston | Dallas | Austin, TX
  • Posts 4,556
  • Votes 2,425

@Jacob Cannon

You're off to a solid start by co-owning and managing a rental with your father, and it’s great that you’re ready to take your experience to the next level. The best move now is to actively network with local investors—offer your time to help with projects like flips, tenant turnover, or acquisitions in exchange for mentorship and hands-on learning.

Good luck!

Post: Building a team / Networking

Wale Lawal
Posted
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Houston | Dallas | Austin, TX
  • Posts 4,556
  • Votes 2,425

@Malachi Gutt

Hey Malachi, great to hear you're expanding into the DFW market! With your experience in flips, BRRRR, and small multifamily, you'll find plenty of opportunity here—just make sure you're targeting investor-friendly pockets like Garland, Fort Worth, or parts of Arlington. If you need help getting connected with quality agents, lenders, or contractors in DFW, feel free to DM me and I'll gladly point you in the right direction.

Good luck!

Post: New to investing in Houston

Wale Lawal
Posted
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Houston | Dallas | Austin, TX
  • Posts 4,556
  • Votes 2,425

@Noah Francis

As you prepare to purchase your first property in Houston, focus on proven local strategies like house hacking, value-add rentals in emerging neighborhoods, or leveraging DSCR loans for cash-flowing multifamily properties. Houston's diverse submarkets offer solid opportunities, so be sure to align your investment with population growth trends, job centers, and landlord-friendly zoning for the best long-term results.

Good luck!