For long-term strategies, a cash-out refinance is usually more advantageous, as it preserves ownership and offers fixed terms.To proceed, start with a professional appraisal to confirm the home’s value, compare refinance terms with traditional lenders, and carefully scrutinize shared-equity program terms to ensure they align with your financial goals.

The state doesn’t have rent control laws, but landlords are prohibited from collecting more than one month’s rent for security deposits.

Consider all the things that could go wrong and see if the lease addresses them: unauthorized pets or tenants, early termination, security deposit, lease violations, late rent, eviction, lawn maintenance, parking, etc.5.

The Pacific Northwest is competitive, so leveraging those connections can be a game-changer.Second, when analyzing deals, ensure you’re building a framework to assess not just the property’s performance today but its future potential.

As Sean Wagner mentioned, the city of Chicago has adopted their own regulations on charging what's commonly referred to as a "security deposit" you need to do it another way. 

This is my first investment property and I was wondering if anyone has recommendations for security cameras.

Structuring the Deal with a PartnerWhile your partner cannot directly participate in the loan, there are ways to structure your arrangement to reflect your 50/50 partnership:Option 1: Post-Purchase Equity SaleYou obtain the 203(k) loan in your name as the owner-occupant.After closing, you sell your partner 50% equity in the property via a quitclaim deed or similar legal instrument.Your partnership agreement would outline each person’s roles, responsibilities, and share of profits.Note: Be mindful of FHA’s rules around title changes and ensure this doesn’t violate loan terms.Option 2: Partnership Contribution AgreementYou both contribute to the down payment and renovation costs as outlined in a partnership agreement.Your partner’s contribution could be recognized as a share of the equity in exchange for funding, services, or property management.The partnership agreement would detail how profits, responsibilities, and equity are split.Option 3: Joint Venture AgreementStructure the deal as a joint venture, where you own the property personally (required for the FHA loan), but profits and roles are split per a formal agreement.Your partner could receive equity-like compensation through profit-sharing without being on the title.3.

Hi @Shawn SmithI am a US loan officer in Toronto, assisting Canadians to secure financing in the US.

We started looking at coaching programs and some of these things just seem ridiculous at 20-40 grand, and some seem more like life coaching programs as opposed to real estate programs. we don't want to syndicate we really would just like to find someone that we can bounce deals / ideas off of and have them assist in underwriting and giving us a better sense of security that we are doing the right thing.

We managed to navigate it, but it was a lesson in the importance of understanding both federal and state regulations.Given your location in Boston, Massachusetts, it's especially pertinent to consult with a qualified intermediary or tax professional familiar with both federal and Massachusetts state laws to ensure a smooth exchange process.