We use DealCheck to underwrite deals and QuickBooks Online for everything related to accounting and budgeting.

From a tax standpoint, there are additional disclosures to make when selling a business asset for less than fair market value to a related third party. 

This amounts to lost opportunity because if you had purchased RE, at the closing it can start producing return. 5) ADUs detract from the existing structure whether this is privacy, a garage, or just yard space. 6) this is related to number 1, but there are many more buyers looking to purchase homes for their family than there are RE investors looking to purchase small unit count properties.

@Hector Lewis - The decision ultimately depends on your current cash reserves relative to your financial needs, as well as your willingness to reinvest for potential appreciation.

We are seriously considering  rent to retirement properties given the relative passive nature.

Prices remain relatively low, but appreciation may be slower.Monroe: A mix of cash flow and appreciation potential, Monroe has become a popular choice for investors, especially in areas where new developments are popping up.Appreciation-Focused NeighborhoodsBallantyne: A well-established area with high demand, Ballantyne offers excellent long-term appreciation potential, though cash flow opportunities may be limited.South End: A booming urban hub with a vibrant retail and restaurant scene.

.- Owner must sign a Hold Harmless to indemnify us against any potential tenant lawsuits relating to the work their contractor is doing.--- Another lawsuit resulted from owner's contractor taking down basement handrail to get supplies down the steps, then they didn't put it back and tenant fell down the stairs.- We also negotiate a reasonable completion date, depending on the Scope Of Work (SOW). --- Who gets all the phone calls and wastes time calming a tenant down because the owner's contractor doesn't show up as scheduled after they took time off from work or a 3 day job takes 3 weeks?

I like umbrella because there is no worry of being pierced for inadequate separation of finances, if sued you have a heavy weight in your corner who has all the consequences of a defeat, and because usually it is reasonably priced (mine today is not so reasonably priced but I believe it is mostly related to the risks of CA).I do understand that the probability of needing the umbrella policy is low.  

.: Quote from @JD Martin: The 1% "rule" is just about dead everywhere outside of the midwest and some places in the south that are still relatively cheap.

@Zach Howard there is no agreed upon Classification in the 1-4 unit market.We've done our best to logically create a system for our market, mostly based upon relative sale prices, but also using crime rates, rents, occupant income and a few other variables.