They have other nice benefits also such as not charging for appraisals if the deal doesn’t close, a great reputation amongst local listing agents with meeting deadlines/ great customer service/ getting the job done with no b.s. and they can often close in under 14 days. 

Last question, how significantly would the APR improve if we leave 30% in vs 25% or 20% on a HELO? 

I appreciate the insight that you and John offered regarding the lack of value in the business itself and strictly the land + improvements.

Additionally, smaller properties (2-4 units) tend to have lower cap rates because they qualify for conventional financing, which impacts the math.If you’re struggling with cash flow, finding off-market deals or considering seller financing could be a good way to improve the numbers.

Each property comes with its own set of risks and every investor must understand those risks and do the minimum - get 3rd party inspections, 3rd party appraisals, verify rents, jobs  and crime rates at city-data.com - before buying.

On the flip side, if you've got a bunch of Section 8 tenants living in a building that's in a neighborhood where a lot of the tenant base has good jobs, high credit scores, and are generally reliable people, you've got the most risky tenants in that tenant base and that ain't what ya want.

Say you paid 100k 6 years ago and have done nothing to improve the property value.

are areas worth looking into if you want a balance of family living and business opportunity.Texas PerspectiveTexas is a great market for long-term rentals, especially in cities like Austin, Dallas, or Houston, where population and job growth are booming.

I’m in the process of managing 18 units and have a full-time job.

Certain amenities can drive bookings (e.g. having a hot tub) but don't necessarily improve guest satisfaction.