An existing duplex provides immediate rental income and proven market comparables, reducing risk.

Very interested in the Cleveland/Ohio market in addition to a few other cross-border cities closer to Toronto. 

This is one of the main inherent risks with pre-construction, and the pre-construction market has cooled, and with impeding tariffs, there is some uncertainty around where prices will be in the coming months.One thing to clarify, are you looking to buy an investment property or a primary residence (or perhaps abit of both where you live in one unit and rent out the other)?

Quote from @Paige Gardner: Does anyone have Any HML recommendations I'm a beginner and want to get started right away but want to weigh my options  Local to your market, happy to connect to help or point you in the right direction.cheers!

It's nice to hear from an investor who is doing the same thing in the same market. 

Core values and faith-based messaging can be powerful, but they often get co-opted as a marketing tool to build trust.To tie it all together, many of these programs introduce a group or community.

Are you investing in your local market?

If things go sideways, you discovery greater rehab expenses, the market takes a turn for the worse, you can get in the red quickly. 

Getting a good painter at a reasonable price requires persistence and comparison shopping.

Much like other markets in the Midwest, investors go to our market because of the low barrier to entry.