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All Forum Posts by: Dominic Mazzarella

Dominic Mazzarella has started 7 posts and replied 274 times.

Post: How I flip 10+ houses a year without going through wholesalers

Dominic MazzarellaPosted
  • Investor
  • Hendersonville, NC
  • Posts 289
  • Votes 196
Quote from @Richard Helppie-Schmieder:

This year it the best yet. I am buying houses through real estate agents. Putting in around 100 contracts a month and closing on 1-2 of them after a 6-10 weeks sales cycle. Is anyone else doing this in other cities? What other free ways are flippers finding houses? It seems to yield better results in my market of DFW where big box wholesalers are selling to new investors at 90% ARV.

100 offers a month is serious volume. I’ve heard of a few people doing something similar, but not many pulling it off consistently. Sounds like you’ve got a solid system in place. 

I'm mostly targeting off-market deals right now (mostly MHPs), but I've been wondering whether working the MLS at volume like this would yield better returns than fighting over scraps from wholesalers. Are you working with a VA or doing all the analysis and offer submission yourself?



Post: Guide for Rookie Investors to Make Money

Dominic MazzarellaPosted
  • Investor
  • Hendersonville, NC
  • Posts 289
  • Votes 196
Quote from @Matthew Irish-Jones:

With interest rates rising, labor rates through the roof and inventory low finding deals as a new investor is extremely difficult.  There are two viable strategies that can work.   Since most investors have less experience and just as importantly less Capital the cannot afford to make mistakes early on if they want to build a portfolio for the long haul.

Strategy 1: Elbow Grease

Don't pretend you are a big dog investor and punch out of your weight class.  Instead, stay humble and lean into your lack of experience.  Find and buy a property that you can live in and self manage.  Its not glamourous, its not fun, it takes lots of hard work, but you will learn the hard way how much skill and knowledge it takes to make it in the world of Real Estate investing.  

1. Self Manage - You will pay 8-10% for management of revenue, so off the bat you are ahead of the game if you can self manage the property.  The key to self management is doing a sh*t ton of online research and properly screening tenants.  The secret to collections is not calling on the 5th for rent, its proper screening.  Become an expert at this.  

2. You are not a GC so don't act like one.  Whoever you are and wherever you are from, you can paint!  So find a place that needs paint and sprucing up. Things that even a rookie can do to improve a property are painting, landscaping, adding new and improved light fixtures, updating appliances, and other low value labor skills.  Do all of that and don't overestimate your abilities by taking on a complex rehab.

3. Stick to the core above and refinance after 5-7 years.  Now you have real Capital, your rents should have increased to the point where you can still cash flow on property 1 and you can potentially buy 1-2 more properties with the refinance funds.  Yes it takes 5-7 years to get your second property.  Real Estate is a slow grind, moving fast will lead to your demise. 

Strategy 2: No Elbow Grease, but Realistic expectations

You have a high pressure job, a kid or two and just don't have the time, but want to diversify and build long term wealth.  Don't pretend to be the big dog that can figure it all out by sitting on your computer at night for an hour after the kids go down and because you are super smart you can beat the pro's that are doing this full time.  You can't, you won't, and your marriage will suffer. 

Instead - look for a high quality asset.  The asset condition is they key to your survival.  If you buy an A class asset in an B class neighborhood you are on the right track.  If you chase cash flow so you can pull cash from one property to quickly buy your next one, you will fail.  The cash is just not available in the market right now, in particular, for new investors. 

Find a reputable property management company that can manage your asset.  Expect no cash, sleep well at night, and wait 6-8 years until the property has enough equity to refinance.  

I cannot stress enough how important getting a quality asset in as good of a location as you can afford is.  You will have a locked in price and a locked in interest rate with rents increasing.  If you buy the right property your margin should increase over time and outpace tax and insurance increases. 

For the love of everything holy, do not chase high cash on cash returns in high risk areas. You will get your soul crushed by vacancy, delinquency, maintenance cost and CapEx. CapEx cost do not change because you bought a crappy property. The roof still costs $20,000 to replace whether your property is $60,000 or $600,000. Best to buy a higher end property with higher rent where CapEx as a % of revenue is lower.

(Please note all the spelling and grammar errors in this article as evidence there is no AI involved.)


Completely agree with the 5–7 year timeline. A lot of new investors underestimate how long it takes to build equity, especially in a flat or slow-growth market. If you’re buying right, slow and steady wins. But if you’re banking on appreciation or a cash-out refi in year 2, you’re rolling the dice.

Post: Who’s Liable For Loss

Dominic MazzarellaPosted
  • Investor
  • Hendersonville, NC
  • Posts 289
  • Votes 196
Quote from @Owen Rosen:
Quote from @Dominic Mazzarella:

This is precisely what renters insurance is for. Do you require renters insurance in your lease? If not, add it going forward. 


 Renters insurance does not kick in when a power outlet fails.  Good idea to recommend renters insurance.  Bad idea to say it covers things that it won't.


Hey Owen, I appreciate your perspective, but I actually double-checked with State Farm and Allstate directly. Both do list food spoilage due to power outages or equipment failure as something that can be covered under renters insurance, depending on the specific policy and circumstances.

This is a quote from Allstate's website: 

"If your refrigerated products spoil because of a power failure or
mechanical failure, you may be eligible to have those products covered
by your insurance policy."

Perhaps I'm reading that wrong, but it specifically says mechanical failure. 


Post: Need Help: Option 1 or Option 2

Dominic MazzarellaPosted
  • Investor
  • Hendersonville, NC
  • Posts 289
  • Votes 196
Quote from @Dawson Burton:

I plan to move to Florida in two years and will have a solid amount of capital saved—enough to buy a property outright and use the BRRRR strategy. I'm currently deciding between two options for how to start:

Option 1: Live on my boat full-time, pay for a boat slip and all related expenses, and use my capital to buy a single-family home, renovate it, rent it out, refinance, and repeat (BRRRR).

Option 2: Buy a duplex, fix it up, live in one unit while renting out the other (house hacking), then refinance it. From there, I'd continue using the BRRRR method for future properties.

I’m trying to figure out which option would be smarter to kick things off especially when it comes to building cash flow and long-term wealth.


I'd lean toward Option 2 if your main goal is to build cash flow and long-term wealth. Living in one unit of a duplex while renting the other not only helps cover your living expenses right away, but it also keeps you close to the asset, making it easier to manage and add value. It's a great way to get started with the BRRRR method while keeping your risk lower.

Option 1 sounds adventurous, and it could work too, but paying for a boat slip and living separately from your investment might complicate things early on. House hacking a duplex lets you stay grounded, get that first refi done, and build equity while minimizing out-of-pocket costs. You’ll get reps in the game faster.

Post: Who’s Liable For Loss

Dominic MazzarellaPosted
  • Investor
  • Hendersonville, NC
  • Posts 289
  • Votes 196

This is precisely what renters insurance is for. Do you require renters insurance in your lease? If not, add it going forward. 

Post: Why the Wealthy are Still Buying Big in an Uncertain Market

Dominic MazzarellaPosted
  • Investor
  • Hendersonville, NC
  • Posts 289
  • Votes 196
Quote from @Ella Compton:

In today's shifting economic climate, luxury real estate is proving remarkably resilient. High net-worth individuals are staying active in the market but for strategic reasons. From leveraging all cash offers to favoring move-in ready properties or fixer uppers, buyers are being more calculated than ever. Most are seeking value, stability, and long term growth amid broader market volatility. International investors are also re-entering the market, further fueling demand. 

These patterns suggest a transformation in how luxury real estate is being viewed: less as a splurge, more as a smart investment tool. 

What do you think this shift means for the future of luxury real estate? How might it reshape the types of properties developers and agents prioritize? 

(Article from Inman) 


The resilience of the luxury market is highly location dependent. Ask anyone who bought in SW Florida in the last few years. 

Post: First House Hack — Struggling to Fill Rooms, Need Advice

Dominic MazzarellaPosted
  • Investor
  • Hendersonville, NC
  • Posts 289
  • Votes 196
Quote from @Kegan Scholl:

Hey everyone,

I just bought a house in Carrollwood (Tampa area) and have been house hacking. It’s been 14 days since I listed the rooms and private studio, and I could use some feedback.

The studio at $1300/month has been getting a little interest.

The 3 rooms in the main house ($800 for the smaller -100 sq ft one, $850 for the 2 larger -120 sq ft one) haven’t attracted the right tenants. Most of the people reaching out either weren’t serious, weren’t a good fit, or had something change last minute. The few decent ones didn’t pan out.

Here’s what I’m wondering:

  1. Is 14 days a long time for this market (Carrollwood, Tampa) to sit vacant?

  2. Are my room prices too high?

  3. Could my listing be too “professional”? Should I make it more authentic?

  4. Do my listing photos need work?

For context:

  • The rooms are unfurnished.

  • I’ve listed on Facebook Marketplace, Zillow, Roomies.com, and Apartments.com.

  • Targeting students, remote workers, or working professionals.

  • House is ~15 minutes from downtown Tampa, 10 from USF, in a quiet neighborhood.

Any feedback on wording, pricing, or presentation would be super helpful.

Thanks in advance!

Rooms: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/2315-Carroll-Pl-Tampa-FL-...

Studio: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/2315-Carroll-Pl-2-Tampa-F...


Fourteen days isn’t too long, but if you’re seeing little interest, it might be a pricing or presentation issue. The studio at $1300 might be a tough sell if it’s unfurnished, many renters in that range might expect turnkey. The room prices also feel a bit high for being unfurnished, especially if you’re targeting students or remote workers.

You might also try tweaking the listing tone to sound more personal and inviting. Overly professional listings can come off as cold. And photos matter. Bright, clean shots with a little character can make a big difference. Good luck out there. 



Quote from @Jorge Fernandez:

Would You Buy This Florida STR Generating $50K Gross? Curious on How Others Would Underwrite It

Hey BP community — I’ve been running a short-term rental in Fort Pierce, FL (Treasure Coast) for the past year, and we’re considering transitioning out of it. I’d love to get some outside perspectives on how others would underwrite this kind of deal in today’s market.

Here’s the high-level overview:

  • 3BR / 2BA single-family home with private pool

  • Fully renovated and furnished

  • STR licensed and professionally managed

  • Gross income ~$50K/year (AirDNA projection aligns)

  • 90%+ occupancy YTD

  • Located 10 minutes from the beach, close to downtown

  • Asking $314,900 (below 2024 appraisal)

Expenses are pretty typical — utilities, pool service, cleaning, and optional PM (or self-manage). I can share more detailed numbers if it’s helpful.

If you came across this deal, what would your return expectations be? Any red flags I might be missing? Always appreciate learning from this group.


Sounds like a solid property on paper. A 3/2 with a private pool that’s fully renovated and hitting 90% occupancy is definitely attractive. At a $315K price point with $50K gross and professional management already in place, I’d definitely take a closer look.

That said, I'd want to dig into net income after all expenses, especially things like insurance (which can be brutal in Florida), taxes, and any HOA or local STR regulations that might be changing. I'd also factor in some reserves for capital expenses since a pool adds some long-term maintenance costs.

If it nets at least 25–30K, that's a respectable return in this market, especially given how turnkey it is. But if net drops below 20K, the numbers might be a little tight for the risk.Just my 2 cents.

Post: Only Getting 30–40% Pickup on Warm Leads — Is That Normal?

Dominic MazzarellaPosted
  • Investor
  • Hendersonville, NC
  • Posts 289
  • Votes 196
Quote from @George Punnen:

Hey folks — I recently got into wholesaling and have been doing a bunch of cold calling over the past few months. I’ve been tracking some basic metrics across my operation and I wanted to sanity-check something with the community.

I’ve read a bunch of posts and research on cold calling, and it seems like a 3–6% pickup rate on cold leads is fairly standard. That aligns with what I’m seeing, so no surprises there — but curious if anyone’s cracked that number.

What I’m more curious about is warm lead pickup rates — specifically, when a seller replies to a text message campaign saying they’re interested in an offer, and then I try calling them. I’m currently seeing a 30–40% answer rate on those calls.

Is that in line with what others are seeing? Or am I doing something wrong?


Honestly, 30–40% pickup on warm leads isn’t bad at all, especially in today’s market where people are bombarded with spam calls and texts constantly. That’s actually about in line with what I’ve seen and heard from others who are running SMS → phone call funnels

One thing that might help is tweaking your follow-up timing. Try calling within a few minutes of their response while the interest is still fresh, sometimes that alone bumps it closer to 50–60%. You could also test double-tapping (calling twice in a row) or leaving a voicemail + follow-up text if they don’t answer.

At the end of the day, not every warm lead is truly warm. Some folks get cold feet or were just curious. But your numbers aren’t out of the ordinary from what I’ve seen. 



Post: Background check found something

Dominic MazzarellaPosted
  • Investor
  • Hendersonville, NC
  • Posts 289
  • Votes 196
Quote from @Rachel Seymour-Newton:

Hi everyone,

So I just got my first application from a couple with a kid for my rental and the background check shows that the male that applied has a felony from 2021 (stealing a firearm). At the time he would have been 20 and he now has a child and a wife. Everything else on the application looked great and I met them in person and liked them a lot. Would you accept their application and let them live in your rental or wait for someone else?


Without knowing them I’d say be cautious and pass. But it is nice to help someone who’s turning things around too. What are their credit scores? Full time jobs, etc?