This is way more conservative than a lot of people I talk to and has definitely meant that I lost out on opportunities, but it gives me bigger peace of mind and in shifting markets I feel better prepared to adapt if need be. 

There seems to be a lack of due diligence before properties are listed, and when questioned about the discrepancies between advertised and actual returns, the responsibility is often shifted to third parties.While it is true that there are properties within their portfolio that do cash flow, finding these requires careful due diligence on the part of the investor—just like any investment.

They were selling on pro forma, but the market and the debt market have shifted, and it's aa lot harder to achieve higher pricing with lower rents.We've purchased over 2,000 units, and the simple answer to the question is that they are either mom and pops and run their businesses with ZERO KPIs, they do not want to risk losing tenants if they raise rents, and they don't treat their asset as a business.When you take over, it can be difficult to get rents to market if they are very suppressed.

Meanwhile, a regular 1031 can be less complicated to manage if your main focus is simply deferring gains.Considering how property values and financing rates have shifted these past months.. do you think an OZF might be a better strategic move than a 1031 in your situation?

I shifted from investing with a cash flow focus to the appreciation and tax benefits side of things.

As bank’s risk tolerance shifts to being more cautious, less non-recourse loans are available.

If these groups are significant, it suggests there’s pent-up demand that could enter the market when one of two things happen:Rates Drop - Rates fall to levels that allow more buyers to qualify for the homes they want.Buyer Expectations Shift - Buyers realize that 5% rates aren’t coming back soon and decide to move forward.Based on the increase in activity I saw in Sept and Oct in my business, when rates hit low 6s, I'd say my market has plenty of pent-up demand. 

Markets shift.

Many are looking to retire or shift out of active management, especially as interest rates rise.From what I’ve read in Bloomberg, Austin's market in 2025 remains highly competitive but still has opportunities in older neighborhoods and suburban areas.

They provide diversification and liquidity.1031 Exchange into Syndications or Passive Investments: This keeps you in real estate but shifts the burden of management to others while potentially preserving tax advantages.At the end of the day, peace of mind is priceless.