Houston, on the other hand, has higher appreciation potential, a growing job market, but also higher entry costs and more competition.

In fact, some of the best opportunities in real estate come from properties that others overlook—distressed homes with potential that just need the right investor to bring them back to life.If you’ve been in the game long enough, you know that distressed properties can offer huge upside, but they also come with their own set of challenges.

Aiming to maximize cashflow to fund future investments, but as newly weds rent by the room doesn't feel practical right now. 

It also has enough sq. ft. to accommodate the additional unit without having to consider it an efficiency unit.But also agree, we'll just start simple with adding more living space / the duplex down, and keep things flexible for the future.  

I want to look into the possibility of a future ADU there as well.

Here are some trends that could play out, or further develop in 2025.Leasing & Tenant Experience AI-Powered Leasing: Chatbots and AI tools will streamline leasing processes, from answering tenant inquiries to scheduling tours.Virtual Tours & Digital Leasing: These will become even more standard, making it easier for tenants to rent remotely.TechnologySmart Property Management: IoT devices (smart locks, thermostats, etc.) will become more common, improving efficiency and tenant satisfaction.Property Management Software: Platforms will integrate more AI for predictive maintenance, rent collection, and financial reporting.SustainabilityGreen building practices and energy-efficient upgrades will be a major focus, driven by tenant demand and potential incentives.AI & AutomationAI will play a bigger role in tenant screening, rent pricing optimization, and even predicting market trends.Automation will handle repetitive tasks like maintenance requests and lease renewals, freeing up PMs for higher-level activities.I'm sure there are plenty more shifting trends that I haven't mentioned and that are sure to evolve over the next year. 

Hi Everyone, My name is Moustafa and since my wife and I just got married we are looking more into our future to be FI.

Additionally, the price point is still cheap enough to find the 1% rule and positive cash flow and there's amazing appreciation potential.

Covering the mortgage isn’t an issue, but I’m considering factors like: Multi-Family: House hacking would help offset costs right away, but I’d likely need to put money into renovations upfront.Single-Family: Easier move-in with no immediate renovations needed, plus potentially lower tenant turnover once I rent it out For those who have been in a similar situation, what did you choose and why?

Super helpful in finding potentially motivated sellers and calculating ARV quickly.