@Apryl Skahill To get your risk-averse spouse on board with real estate investing, start by educating him with beginner-friendly resources that highlight the long-term stability, cash flow potential, and tax benefits of real estate, such as depreciation deductions and offsetting W-2 income.

Start by talking to a cross-border CPA and attorney to handle taxes and legal structures properly.

We pay all of our expenses out of that which includes: broker split (my brokerage takes 22% of the total commission, this varies by brokerage and is typically anywhere from 5-50% depending on how much support the brokerage provides and whether or not the agent is on a team), transaction fees, transaction coordinator cut, income taxes (15-20% of what's left after broker gets their cut), errors and omissions insurance, MLS fees, board of Realtors dues, required continuing education costs, vehicle and vehicle insurance plus maintenance, repairs and gas, health insurance (also health insurance for the family if they are the sole breadwinner), technology fees, desk fees (office rent), marketing materials, advertising/ lead gen, etc.

It should cash flow 400/month after taking taxes/HOA into account.

Another option is investing in real estate through partnerships or fractional ownership, focusing on properties that yield cash flow or appreciation potential.For long-term growth, consider diversifying into assets such as private equity, tax liens, or even certain types of real estate that offer both capital appreciation and income potential over time.

The patent on the 30 year with taxes and insurance was 3900 or so.   

I have a confession: my only duplex, which I gave owned now for 2 years and recently moved out of from a house hack, has proven to cost me more to maintain/pay taxes/repair/fix etc to the point where my cash flow is close to zero.

Typically, the adjustments I see on appraisals for basements are more flat rate adjustments. 10k is usually the number I've seen.What stinks is that there are a couple of model types that have below grade space where the builder, I'm sure, was trying to lower the taxes by having it below grade so the county wouldn't count that space in the assessment.

Quote from @Marie B.: Quote from @Jay Hinrichs: Quote from @Marie B.: For current/past BAM investors, how has your experience been?

Tax and Legal ConsiderationsUnderstand the tax implications and legal responsibilities associated with rental income.