All Forum Posts by: Kyle Mccaw

@Jessica I Castillo 

Jessica, welcome to the world of real estate investing—you're on the right track!

In situations like yours, it often comes down to your long-term goals and current equity position. Using a new conventional loan lets you keep your current mortgage (assuming it's a low interest rate), while tapping into the new property's potential. On the other hand, using a home equity loan or HELOC can be great if you have strong equity and want to avoid a full refi.

Be cautious though—home equity loans can affect your debt-to-income ratio and make qualifying for the next purchase harder.

My go-to lender in the DFW area is @Andrew Postell. He’s excellent at helping real estate investors analyze their options and structure financing that supports both short- and long-term growth.

Excited for y’all to get started! Delayed gratification is the secret weapon in real estate—renting out your current home is a great move toward building long-term wealth. Keep going!

@Richard A Cannata I own in Windsor Hills Resort also. The owners' Facebook group is super active and a great place to get vendors.

@Amanda Bradley

Tough spot. Once rent has gone unpaid for this long, and communication has stopped, you're likely dealing with a holdover tenant. Since you're in California (specifically Lake County), you’ll need to follow the legal eviction process under state law—especially because CA has stronger tenant protections than many other states.

If he doesn't vacate by March 31, you’ll likely need to serve a formal 3-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit, even though the lease ended, because he’s still occupying the property without paying. If there’s still no response, you’d move forward with an unlawful detainer (eviction) through the courts.

Don’t wait. Time is critical when it comes to non-paying tenants. Also, gather all documentation—communications, your written non-renewal notice, and any agreements you made to extend occupancy through March.

For others reading: this is why timely rent collection and structured follow-up is essential. Our team has learned the hard way over the years—delayed action often leads to thousands in losses. Stay consistent, and use professionals when needed. It’ll save money in the long run.

Hang in there—real estate tests your patience sometimes, but staying professional pays off.

@Oladosu Segun

It’s great that you’re being proactive about getting your rental filled. A few key things to consider:

1. Market Timing & Pricing

Princeton, TX, attracts a lot of families, and many prefer to move during the summer to avoid disrupting the school year. If demand is slow, it’s worth re-evaluating the rent price. Look at similar 4-bed homes—are they also sitting vacant? If so, pricing might be a challenge across the market. If others are leasing faster, adjusting your rate or offering incentives might help.

2. Rental Pricing Strategy

Realtors often price homes based on sales comps, but rental pricing is different. A larger home doesn’t always justify a higher rent than a smaller home with a better layout. The real demand drivers are:

• Extra bedrooms vs. extra square footage (a 4-bed will rent faster than a 3-bed with more space).
• Functional layouts.
• Competitive pricing against active listings.

3. Marketing & Listing Visibility

• MLS Alone Isn’t Enough – Make sure the listing is also on rental-focused platforms like Zillow, Apartments.com, and HotPads. Some MLS systems don't syndicate properly.
• Professional Photos Matter – Listings with high-quality photos drive more showings. If the images don’t showcase the home well, potential tenants may overlook it.
• Strong Listing Description – Highlight what makes the home stand out: “New build with washer/dryer, modern finishes, and spacious layout—perfect for families!”

4. Lease Incentives

If the market is slow, offering an incentive can help attract tenants faster:

• First month discounted or free with a longer lease (e.g., 13+ months).
• Reduced security deposit if they have strong credit/income.
• Including lawn care or utilities to make it more appealing.

5. Consider Expert Input

Working with a property manager or rental-focused professional can provide better insight into pricing, marketing, and tenant placement. Reviewing real-time rental data and understanding market trends can make a big difference in filling vacancies efficiently.

If your home has been sitting for 44 days, take a deep dive into pricing, photos, and competition to see where adjustments can be made. Hope this helps!

@Kosh Vokter 

Providing tenants with your bank account information for direct deposits does come with some risks, but it can be managed effectively with the right precautions.

Potential Risks of Giving Out Bank Account Info:

1. Security Risks – While ACH transfers are generally safe, giving out your account details means a tenant could attempt an unauthorized withdrawal or dispute payments.
2. Potential Errors – Tenants might accidentally send funds incorrectly, causing reconciliation issues.
3. Limited Control Over Payments – Unlike software-based rent collection, direct deposits don’t allow automated late fees, lease enforcement mechanisms, or payment tracking.

Ways to Minimize Risk:

• Use a Separate Account – Opening a dedicated rent collection account is a smart move. This keeps your main operating funds separate, and you can transfer money out as soon as rent is received.
• Enable Bank Alerts – Set up notifications for incoming ACH transactions.
• Review Bank Security Policies – Ensure your bank has safeguards against unauthorized transactions.
• Use a Property Management Software – If you’re serious about growing your rental business, consider platforms like Buildium, RentRedi, or AppFolio. These automate rent collection, track payments, and handle late fees seamlessly.

If you only have a few units, a direct deposit might work fine, but as you scale, a structured rent collection system will save time, reduce risk, and improve tenant accountability.

@Hassan Kareem
I highly recommend attending local networking events to connect with experienced investors and vendors. IMPACT Grapevine is a solid event where you can meet general contractors, subs, and other investors who have done renovations in the Fort Worth area. If you’re considering managing trades yourself, be prepared for scheduling and quality control challenges, but it can save you money if done right. @Andrew Postell always seems to know when and where all the networking events are. And he is a rock star lender.

@Anxhelo Lalaj  

That’s a great instinct—putting family first is always the right call. Congratulations on the upcoming addition to your family!

As for the open house, many new or less-experienced agents are eager to host them since it gives them exposure and a chance to connect with potential buyer clients. You can reach out to local agent networking groups, or check with a broker to see if they have someone in their brokerage willing to do it. The going rate varies by market, but some agents will do it for free in exchange for any unrepresented buyer leads, while others may charge $50-$100 depending on the demand in your area.

Wishing you and your wife all the best—exciting times ahead!

@Melanie Steele welcome to the BP world.

 Seems fair. Be sure to run a full background on the new tenant.

@Shushyam Malige Sharanappa

I'm not going to recommend anyone for obvious reasons. But I will caution you to think real hard before hiring a frachise manager. Often times these are unexperienced managers that bought a franchise. Go with someone that has serious experience and a team that knows all the ins and outs of managing tenants, properties...and landlords.