Don’t forget to plan for the future, maintain a healthy work-life balance, and celebrate small wins along the way—it’s all part of the journey!

Hopefully it balances out and ends up net positive. 

Gradually raising rents, exploring lease buyouts, or selling with tenants in place are balanced alternatives.

Bank of America does this - not sure about the minimums, but if you have a good relationship with your local branch, they can waive the monthly fees until your balance grows from rental income.

I do have one question - I have a partner and we are looking into getting a properly together.

Most inspectors will know that properties only need to meet whatever the code was when they were built, not current code and they usually explain that properly IME.

At that time, I was balancing a new family and trying to make ends meet.

You might find that installing a mini-split system, properly insulating, and ensuring the finishes match the main home’s quality will make a difference in how the appraiser views it.

With a backup plan, and proper (extensive) legal docs, much of the risk can be mitigated.

But they don’t know proper thinning and trimming.