All Forum Posts by: Alyson Anderson

Hey BP Fam —

Just wanted to start a conversation for all the first responders out there (and those who support them) who are also diving into real estate investing.

As a former MD Trooper and Nurse turned full-time agent and investor, I know firsthand how wild the shift work can be... but also how the steady income and flexible days off can be HUGE advantages in real estate.

So I'm curious:

• Who else here is in fire, EMS, law enforcement, dispatch, or any frontline job and also investing?

• What's worked best for you — flips, rentals, BRRRR, short-term rentals?

• How are you balancing the shift life with site visits, tenants, deals, and all that comes with this biz?

Would love to connect with others doing both! Drop your story, tips, or even your challenges 👇

Hi everyone,

I’m in the middle of a flip right now and it’s had me thinking a lot about design choices—what actually connects with buyers vs. what just looks good on Pinterest. I try to stay on top of trends, but honestly, sometimes it feels like a guessing game. Just when I think I’ve nailed the "look," feedback comes in that it felt too cold, too trendy, or just… not quite right.

I’ve been leaning into warmer tones and natural materials lately—trying to create homes that feel inviting and grounded. But I’m still learning, and I know tastes shift quickly, depending on the market, the buyer, and even the vibe of the neighborhood.

I’d love to hear what others are noticing. Have you tried something new design-wise that really surprised you (in a good way or not-so-good way)? Are there details or finishes that have helped your flips stand out?

I really admire the collective experience in this community, and I’d love to learn from what’s working for you—big or small. I’m always open to new ideas and would be grateful to hear your thoughts.

Thanks for reading 🙏

From my experience in real estate, hiring a virtual assistant used to be the only way to offload administrative tasks, but AI has changed the game. What once took hours—managing emails, scheduling appointments, following up with leads—can now be automated with AI-driven tools. Instead of manually sorting through inquiries, AI can qualify leads, respond instantly, and even update my CRM without me lifting a finger. Market research that used to take hours, like pulling comps and analyzing trends, is now done in minutes. Social media? AI can draft posts, create listing descriptions, and even suggest the best times to post. While human VAs still bring value for tasks requiring judgment and relationship-building, AI has freed up so much time that I can focus on closing deals and growing my business.

That said, AI isn't perfect. It lacks the personal touch that a human VA provides, especially when handling nuanced client interactions. Sometimes, AI-generated responses feel robotic, and errors in automation can lead to miscommunication or missed opportunities. Plus, setting up and fine-tuning AI tools takes time and effort.

Has anyone else integrated AI into their workflow? Do you find the benefits outweigh the flaws?

Hey Matthew,

Appreciate the breakdown—love seeing the way you approach deals! My spreadsheet is mainly built for flips, but now you’ve got me thinking... maybe I should expand it to include BRRRRs and buy-and-holds too. 🤔

Right now, my focus is on making sure I’m accounting for all costs upfront—so no surprises later. I definitely include loan interest, but I don't have GRM or CAP rate in there yet. Would you say those are must-haves even for flips? Or more for rentals?

Your numbers are solid, by the way. That IRR at 28.3%—nice.

Hey Ryan,

Appreciate your insights! Leveraging financing is definitely a smart way to maximize returns, especially in this market. I like the mix of small multifamily for long-term stability and flips for quicker gains—both have their place depending on risk tolerance and deal margins.

Curious, with interest rates still being a factor, are you focusing more on seller financing and creative structuring, or locking in fixed rates where possible? Also, how are mid-term rentals performing for you compared to traditional long-term holds?

Would love to compare strategies!

Hey Matthew,

Appreciate the detailed breakdown—definitely a strong framework for assessing deals. To answer your question, my calculator is mainly designed for flips, though it could be adjusted for BRRRR or buy-and-hold with additional inputs for rental income, loan terms, and long-term returns.

I like your point about including rent, loan interest, and ROI—those would be key for investors looking beyond a simple max-offer analysis. I'll consider adding GRM and CAP rate as well, since those give a clearer picture of long-term value.

Curious—what’s your go-to method for estimating future appreciation or rent growth? Do you prefer historical data, market trends, or a mix of both?

Looking forward to your thoughts!

I’ve put together a deal analysis calculator using a spreadsheet to quickly break down real estate deals and ensure profitability. Here’s what it includes:

📌 Purchase & Rehab Costs:

• Asking Price

• Estimated Rehab Costs

• Profit Goal

• After Repair Value (ARV)

📌 Holding Costs (6 months):

• Property Taxes

• Insurance Costs

• Utilities & Maintenance

• Loan Interest

• Lending Fees

• Total Holding Costs

📌 Closing & Transfer Costs:

• Total Transfer Taxes

• Title Insurance ($5.50 per $1,000)

• Settlement Fees

• Total Title & Closing Fees

📌 Selling Costs:

• Agent Commission (5%)

• Seller’s Share of Taxes (50/50)

• Total Selling Costs

📌 Final Numbers:

• Total Costs (Excluding Profit)

• Maximum Offer Price

I’d love your feedback! What do you think? Am I missing any key expenses or considerations that could make this tool even better? Let’s refine it together!

Quote from @Gregory Schwartz:

@Joel Bongco thanks for that. I had CINC and it was useful however as a solo agent I didnt find that I was getting my moneys worth. Im likely going to be stepping up to FUB or REsimpli

Totally get that. If you're solo, some of those bigger CRMs can feel like overkill. FUB really shines when it comes to keeping things simple but powerful, especially as you scale. If you do make the switch, I’d love to hear how it compares to what you’ve used before!

Quote from @Joel Bongco:

@Alyson Anderson - Its a simple API connection.  I use Zapier  to pipe leads into FUB.  In Deal Machine,  I created a lead type  "In Marketing with FUB" which triggers Zapier to ZAP the Lead into a Deal Machine Pond.   To ensure no one takes your Deal Machine Lead, we add a Tag with your name on it.  Thus, when you are in FUB, you can create a Smartlist based on a Tag with your name on it  - Tag =  "Deal Machine Lead for John Doe".   You can also skip trace the lead in DM and have emails and phone numbers populated in FUB.  We use other lead sources  (Probate, Vacants, NODs, etc,) and ZAP them into FUB.   One stop shopping at its best!  @Gregory Schwartz -  being an IT guy, I have experience with HubSpot GHL, Podio, Salesforce, Zendesk, ServiceNow, Sugar, and Zendesk, you can't beat the simplicity of FUB!  If you are a solopreneur its a good tool to have.  If you have a team, its a must have! -  fewer collisions/conflicts in lead generation.  

Love how streamlined your setup is! The API connection with Zapier sounds like a solid workflow, and I can definitely see how that keeps things running smoothly without stepping on each other's toes. The tagging system is a smart touch too! I might take you up on that config-sharing offer—always open to seeing how others are optimizing their setups. Appreciate you breaking it down!

Quote from @Ryan Rominger:

Caution is key in this rate environment. We’re seeing solid returns on multifamily buy-and-holds, especially with value-add opportunities that improve cash flow over time. Flips are still profitable but require tighter underwriting to ensure margins hold up. As for STRs, we’re also leaning into mid-term rentals in certain areas—demand is strong, and avoiding regulatory hurdles is a huge plus.

Spot on—leveraging financing is key. In this market, multifamily buy-and-holds with value-add potential are solid plays for long-term cash flow, while flips require tighter margins to stay profitable. Mid-term rentals are also proving strong in areas with short-term rental restrictions.

What specific strategies are you using to mitigate interest rate risks right now? Always open to comparing notes.