All Forum Posts by: Wale Lawal

@Andrew Starliper

Hey Andrew, congrats on the new baby and welcome to the world of real estate investing! With your VA loan eligibility, you're in a strong position to start house hacking—a great way to get your foot in the door with little to no down payment while living in the property. Given your flexibility and interest in markets like Dallas or Tennessee, consider transferring to a city with solid job growth and affordable housing where you can buy a small multifamily or single-family with ADU potential. That move could jumpstart your investing journey with minimal capital.

Good luck!

@Ron Amshalom

Absolutely—it's possible to build a 10–20 door portfolio starting with limited capital, but it takes creativity and persistence. Many investors begin by house hacking, using low down payment loans (like FHA or VA), or partnering with others to scale faster. Focus on value-add deals, BRRRR strategies, or seller financing where possible to recycle your capital.

Good luck!

@Burhan Senih

You're in a strong position with a paid-off condo and solid rental income, and tapping into that equity via a DSCR cash-out refinance is a smart move to scale. If ease and cash flow are your top priorities, sticking with condos could work—but your concern about HOA unpredictability and limited appreciation is valid. If you're playing a longer-term game, you might consider diversifying into a single-family home (SFH) in a growth market, even if the cash flow is tighter upfront, since SFHs typically offer better appreciation and more control. House hacking a SFH could also help you offset expenses and build faster equity. As for multiple mortgages, they're manageable as long as your properties cash flow, reserves are in place, and you don't overleverage—steady payments through downturns is key.

Good luck!

@Ezra Wool

Hey Ezra, sounds like you've already got a solid foundation with your previous house hacks and market exposure through BiggerPockets. Both Chattanooga and Columbia are strong choices for cash-flowing markets with stable rental demand, decent cap rates, and room for appreciation—plus they're investor-friendly cities within driving distance. I'd recommend diving into local data on Rentometer, Roofstock, or Mashvisor for rental comps and ROI estimates.

Good luck!

@Koushik Saha

Congrats on the move and turning your first home into a rental—great step toward building wealth! Here's the deal: while many lenders don’t actively check if you’ve moved out, not notifying them could technically violate your loan terms if you’re still within the first 12 months of owner-occupancy. As for insurance, yes, your insurer will likely send the lender a copy of the new landlord policy, which could tip them off. To avoid potential issues, it’s usually best to be upfront or wait until you’ve met the occupancy requirement—if you’re past that, you’re generally in the clear.

Good luck!

@Ryder Payne

It's great that you're getting into real estate early! Once you turn 18, using an FHA loan to house hack—buying a property and renting out the other rooms—is a smart first move. Aim for a small multi-family (like a duplex or triplex) or a single-family home with multiple bedrooms. This strategy builds experience, cash flow, and equity, and sets you up to later explore flips or the BRRRR method. Stay focused, keep learning, and start networking—there are plenty of opportunities for young, driven investors like you!

Good luck!

@Chan Frazier

​Exploring real estate investments in Sargent, TX, is a promising endeavor, given its coastal charm and potential for vacation rentals. However, it's crucial to conduct thorough due diligence, focusing on factors like flood zones, insurance costs, and local market trends. Engaging with a local real estate agent familiar with Sargent can provide valuable insights into the area's investment landscape. If you need further assistance, feel free to DM me, and I can point you in the right direction.

Good luck!

@Murray Reginald

You're on the right track using the BRRRR strategy, and leveraging business credit is creative—but the key challenge here is timing your refinance to pay off the credit card debt. Ideally, once you've rehabbed, stabilized the property with a tenant, and built equity, the cash-out refinance should cover your original expenses, including the credit card debt used as your down payment and rehab funds. Until then, it's risky to rely solely on rental cash flow to service high-interest business debt, so you might want to consider short-term gap funding or 0% intro APR cards to buy yourself time. DM me if you'd like help with structuring the financing or sourcing off-market deals in Texas that fit your model.

Good luck!

@Vaughn Ramcharitar

If you're considering selling your Houston SFR portfolio, you're in a great position to explore strategies like a 721 Exchange (UPREIT) to defer capital gains and depreciation recapture, especially if you're looking to transition into passive real estate income. To maximize your portfolio's value, start by engaging with a commercial broker or portfolio specialist familiar with institutional buyers, and consult a real estate CPA to structure the sale tax-efficiently. DM me if you'd like help connecting with vetted professionals or exploring the right UPREIT options for your goals.

Good luck!

@Brandon Walt

Great to hear you're about to land your first long-term rental—exciting step! Since you’re planning to self-manage, I recommend checking out platforms like Avail, TenantCloud, or RentRedi for rent collection, maintenance tracking, and tenant screening. They’re affordable, Texas-friendly, and make self-management way easier. If you need help picking the right one for your setup, feel free to DM me and I’ll point you in the right direction.

Good luck!