All Forum Posts by: Joey Banasihan

Hey Nicole, yeah I have heard and seen less traffic as well - some a speculating that the current administrations cuts within a recent big bill is forcing places of employment, specifically hospitals to restrain from paying premuiums on travel jobs and focusing on staffing positions. Of course there are a lot of other industries using furnished rentals but that is what I have seen and felt in my local market where hospitals are a big economic/industry driver in our area. 

Hey @Victoria Spagnolo - Kudos for jumping in and taking action—most people never get that far. A couple things I’d be curious about:

How strong are your current rents vs. what DSCR lenders in your area are requiring? That could matter more than your ARV guess.Did the lower-level renovation add livable square footage on the appraisal, even if it's not technically a "bedroom"?

If the cash flow is solid, you may be able to structure repayment to your family out of operations until you can refi. Sometimes it's less about hitting the "perfect ARV" and more about showing steady performance and multiple exit options.

Hey @Chaim Mal, I get where you’re at—I've done this before and I help my clients with this stuff all the time. The truth is, the “perfect deal” doesn’t exist. The investors who actually build wealth aren’t the ones who wait for flawless timing—they’re the ones who take action.

Momentum creates experience, and experience compounds into success. You don’t need all the answers right now—you need the reps. Start making offers, underwrite the best you can, learn your markets, and build relationships with people who will shoot you straight.

If I could give you one next step: get clear on your buy box, then commit to taking action on the next 1–2 deals that fit close enough. Even if they’re not perfect, you’ll be moving forward. That movement is what separates the people who scale from the ones who stay on the sidelines. Good luck!

Hey @Liam Singh, when our team looks at opportunities with investors like yourself, of course the basics need to be there—enough margin so everyone gets paid. But what we really care about are the value-add angles-

Does zoning allow for a lot split, an ADU build, or other ways to force appreciation? Could this be structured as a BRRRR instead of just a flip? Are there a few different exit strategies in play, so if the market shifts or something unexpected comes up, the buyer isn't stuck?

That’s how we underwrite—it’s not just about the numbers, but also about protecting the buyer, building a relationship, and making sure there’s a clear path forward.

Hey @Luke Mertz - sorry I missed your reply!  Every year is ideal, but as you start accumulating properties banks like to start seeing certain cash reserves on-hand as you start acquiring more depth. That is the goal but to start off I like to be conservative with 2-3 years.  

The next question to ask yourself is why 30+ rentals?  Depending on which market you invest in and what you invest in, you do not need a ton of rentals to create financial flexibility and freedom. I have 4 rental doors and they pay for our entire mortgage, thats $2-$3k we no longer have to worry about and get to reinvest or use elsewhere.  

I would be keep real estate as the long-term goal but focus on getting into an industry, career, business where you are learning high value skills that you are being paid for the value (problem solving) you give rather than the time you put in. 

Hey @Nick Ch - If you’ve got the means to keep buying while holding solid reserves, keep going. At some point, start looking at markets that have stronger appreciation potential. Those can supplement your cash-flow markets—because building equity and having access to it is what really helps you scale long term.

No special tips or tricks—just keep taking reasonable action and you’ll be surprised how much you can accomplish. Good luck!

Hey @Luke Mertz - Good question - though so much of it depends on your area, market, leverage etc,If I had to start over, I’d still be house hacking—putting as little down as possible, living in the property, and using my money on renovations and value-add stuff that actually builds equity. I’d probably repeat that every 2–3 years.

At the same time, I’d be focused on building high-value skills—sales, tech, whatever gives me leverage—to increase how much money I’m bringing in. That way, I can pour more into real estate while still living way below my means.

No secrets, no shortcuts, nothing sexy. Just consistent moves, learning as I go, and playing the long game. It’s not flashy, but it works.

Hey @Eyan Hudson - first off—appreciate your service and the way you're thinking through this. You’re already ahead just by asking the right questions.

Buying an investment before your VA home? It’s doable, but you’ll be juggling a lot—rehab, move, loan timing, all within a few months. Not a bad idea if you’re really organized and have reserves, but it does increase your margin for stress or error.

Waiting to use your VA loan first? Honestly, that might be the cleaner first step. You get incredible leverage with 0% down, and if you can house hack a small multifamily, even better. I’m in Boise and I always recommend that route when it’s an option—great way to learn, cash flow a little, and hold long term.

1. How much to save? Figure 20–25% just for the down payment on a traditional investment loan. Then add closing costs, any upfront repairs, and a buffer for reserves. It adds up quick.The VA loan is 0% down, but don't forget you'll still need a few grand for inspections, earnest money, and all the little stuff that pops up.

2. As for property types—I'd be cautious with condos. In my experience, they don’t appreciate like single family or multifamily, and you lose leverage with resale and loan options. If the cash flow’s good, maybe it works as a short- or mid-term rental—but cash flow alone doesn’t scale your portfolio. Long term equity matters.

3. Feb/March leasing? Can be hit or miss. Boise has sub-2% vacancy right now, but it still slows down early Q1. Late March is usually stronger. Just make sure to budget for a possible longer lease-up window if you go that route.

Overall, you're on the right track. You don't have to do everything at once. Start smart, use the VA loan well, and just keep stacking experience. You got this.

Hey @Patrick J Pemelton - Did you find this during your due diligence period and are you able to negotiate repairs or concessions?  I've delt with this about 4 times in the past 2 months with past transactions, and everyone we either negotiated a professional hydro-jetting to clear the roots, concessions to help replace the sewerline, or an escrow hold back to have money pay for contractor to replace the line due to the severity.

In our area, as long at the sewer line is intact and made of durable material, a hydro jetting works great and can be done as a yearly or regular maintenance. As you probably know, there will always be risks involved, so if this property checks your boxes and helps you get to your goals, then maybe this is the risk you take and you get it addressed.  Totally up to you, hopefully this is a cool opportunity and you can get it figured out!

Hey @Luke Mertz - 

Definitely a viable strategy—especially if the properties are local and relatively low maintenance. I know a few investors here in Boise doing exactly that: 6 to 10 single-family homes, self-managed, no PM, and it works because they’ve built good systems and bought the right houses up front.

That said, it’s kind of like owning a job. Nothing wrong with that—especially if it replaces your 9–5 and gives you more control. But once you hit a certain scale or want more freedom (travel, expand into new markets, or just not be on call), a property manager becomes less of a cost and more of a leverage point.

As for the “they just take 10%” comment—I get it. But a good PM handles repairs, tenant communication, compliance, renewals, rent collection, bookkeeping, vendor relationships, and more. If they’re just cashing checks, that’s a bad PM—not a broken model.

I think self-managing is a great way to build cash flow early on, but the tradeoff will always be your time. At some point, it’s worth asking what your time is worth. Be intentional—invest in a strong lease (ideally written by a local attorney), stay in tune with your local laws, and keep your systems sharp. The path to financial freedom comes with discomfort—you just get to choose which kind.

Good luck—you got this!