DTI < 33%I've been constantly getting advised by my real estate agent (& i've discussed this with multiple agents) that if I add any contingencies to the offer, it won't stand a chance in the bay area market.If that is the case, how do I protect myself from challenges which could be found during home inspection / pest inspection related contingencies?

As a professional property manager for going on 20 years and a real estate investor, I still encourage people to manage for themselves. 

If this effort gains traction, it could fundamentally reshape the U.S. mortgage market, impacting financing options for real estate investors nationwide.The Role of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in Housing FinanceFannie Mae (Federal National Mortgage Association) and Freddie Mac (Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation) are government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) that purchase mortgages from banks and lenders, package them into mortgage-backed securities (MBS), and sell them to investors.

so you're recommending that my starting point should be finding a real estate agent, utilize theirbknowledge to learn about the process, and get referrals for good loan officers.

However, the tax treatment differs between short-term and long-term rentals:Short-Term Rentals (STRs): If you materially participate (work 100+ hours and more than anyone else on the property), you may be able to offset rental deductions against W-2 or other active income, offering greater tax benefits.Long-Term Rentals (LTRs): If your AGI exceeds $100K, your rental losses may be limited, unless you qualify as a Real Estate Professional (REPS).If you plan to expand your rental portfolio, consider an LLC later for liability protection and easier management.

I’m new to the world of real estate and really excited to dive in and learn as much as I can.

Even better if you can work for a property manager or real estate compnay. 

I have lived in Arkansas my whole life, lived in all parts of the state, and have been in real estate for the last 8 years here. 

Hey everyone,I’ll keep this short and would love to hear from investors who have successfully leveraged a HELOC to scale their real estate portfolio for both short-term cash flow and long-term wealth building.I’m about to unlock $200-250K in HELOC from my primary residence (a condo in NYC), and I know there’s a powerful strategy I can implement.My current plan:✅ Acquire a 10-15 unit multifamily in a mid-sized market (AL, TN, OH, etc.), targeting a $700-800K deal with value-add potential.✅ Use 20% from my HELOC for the down payment and finance the rest with hard money.✅ Force appreciation over 6 months, then refinance into a DSCR loan to pay off the HELOC.✅ Rinse and repeat!

I own just at $8mm in real estate here across 25 or so properties and am an agent.