If I have no mortgage the cash flow is more secure.

What can I do to ensure there are no surprises after closing and avoid a costly eviction? 

Looking ahead, once you secure a tenant, perhaps this is something that should be explored to make the next lease up easier.Also, @Caria Mitchell raised an interesting point in saying: We are experiencing a shortage of qualified applicants, I’ve noticed non-conventional applicants vs qualified applicants that don’t have a voucher or some form of subsidy. 

Purchase price: $187,000 Cash invested: $15,000 Sale price: $259,000 I got tired of moving place to place and worrying about finding roommate, security deposits and not having enough money to deal with maintaining someone elses home.

Yes, you bought what seems like a good deal on paper, but in reality, you own an old apartment building in a neighborhood with poor security, possibly surrounded by long-vacant shops, streets piled with garbage, and a poorly managed community.

Purchase price: $187,000 Cash invested: $15,000 Sale price: $259,000 I got tired of moving place to place and worrying about finding roommate, security deposits and not having enough money to deal with maintaining someone elses home.

The key to success lies in ensuring you're entering the market at the right value.

Another key benefit is diversification; an SDIRA allows you to include real estate in your portfolio, reducing risk by spreading your investments across different asset types, which isn’t possible with a standard IRA.Moreover, assets in an SDIRA often enjoy protection from creditors, adding a layer of security to your investments.

On the other hand, a detailed quote with a higher total may offer more transparency and reduce the risk of surprises as the project progresses.I specialize in consulting services for situations like this, where I help clients evaluate contractor quotes, ensure transparency, and navigate the renovation process with confidence.

Make sure the estimates are very detailed (scope, SF, $/sf, schedule, etc) to ensure that there is a clear dilation between contract work and change orders.