One thing to remember when you are getting into RE investing is to have your team of people or as Brandon Turner from the Bigger Pockets Podcast calls it your CORE 41.

But I guess an investor must be willing to sit down as we go over the three ways to protect the money they put in… just stumped is all I’m saying. thanks for the insight!!  

Keep that HELOC in your back pocket for furnishing and make ready expenses on your next STR.

The contract must contain:the contractor’s name, address and telephone numberthe approximate start and completion date, including any contingencies that would change the completion datea description of the work to be performed and the materials to be provided to the consumer, including make; model number or any other identifying information; and the agreed-upon price for the work and materialsa notice advising you that you have three business days to cancel the contract, unless during an emergency you waive the right in writinga notice that all payments received by the contractor prior to completion of the contract work must be deposited in an escrow account

Here are the details of the property:Property Overview:Location: Texas2 lots, 2 warehouse buildingsFinancials:Mortgage: $4,897/month (balance: $530,000)Insurance: $830/monthProperty Tax: $1,800/monthBuilding 1:1 tenantRent: $7,570/month12,000 square feetBuilding 2:3 tenantsTenant 1: $2,850/month (5,000 square feet)Tenant 2: $1,793/month (2,500 square feet)Tenant 3: $895/month (1,250 square feet)The property was appraised for $2,200,000 three years ago.Given the current rental income and expenses, the cash flow is decent, but my family friend is looking to explore options that could potentially yield better returns.Would it make sense to:Sell the property outright and invest in higher cash-flow opportunities?

A buddy of mine in Phoenix added a fenced yard and bunk beds to his listings.. nothing fancy, just a few tweaks.. and he went from crickets to getting three calls in two weeks.Preferred Landlord Program: This program gets you priority placement, and while ALE charges a fee, it's worth it for visibility.

Full Occupancy: The property achieved full occupancy within three weeks of listing, with strong tenant demand.High Cash Flow: The property generates $5,570/month in gross revenue and approximately $4,690/month in net profit after operating costs.Effective Use of 1031 Exchange: $300k of the total $420k investment was offset by the 1031 exchange, minimizing out-of-pocket expenses.Long-Term Stability: Designed for durability and versatility, the property is expected to cash flow for decadesLessons learned?

Without house hacking, your figures would look like this:$1850+1850 = $3700 - $1500 - $3200 = $-1000 net in your pocket (let's skip principal paydown and tax benefits for now).With house hacking, your figures would look like this:$1850+650+1500 = $4000 - $3200 = $800 net in your pocket. 

I'm joining Bigger Pockets to try to connect with people who can teach me and encourage me.

Think of it as the rough sketch that helps you figure out where you want to swim: Omaha’s stable single-family rentals with decent cash flow and strong appreciation potential, the sizzling up-and-coming pockets around San Antonio where off-market deals still lurk if you’re willing to roll up your sleeves, or those tight-knit Chicago neighborhoods where a trusted investor-friendly agent can point you to contractors who won’t ghost you mid-reno.