HI Bracken, I have a rental house in Ogden, and you're right the market has really been going up recently.My goal on such homes has been to buy with 20-25% down and have the rent be able to cover my PITI & professional property management.  

- For those who build in phases, how do you structure budgets and plan cash flow to cover extended construction timelines?

One of the reasons I asked the question is that it seems strange to me that a property management wouldn’t take anything upfront if they inherited a house that wasn’t ready for rent .Our property management also does the cleaning ( deep clean over 4 days was $1000 but they had to deal with some nasty pet hair , fleas etc)and that included some cover up paint etc .One lesson learned here is every contract with owner : property management varied greatly it seems from what is needed .But moving forward - I feel that $500 a month on a $2100 a month property is too high once it’s rented - unless endless problems persist of course ..thanks for your insight!

Financing was streamlined through Partner Driven’s program, covering both the $50,000 purchase price and the $35,000 renovation budget.

Some real estate brokerages may even cover the cost of your license classes.

If lenders would consider a 2-3% buyers agent commission as part of the purchase price and LTV based on this (contract price + buyers agent commission) we can end this Byzantine step of the buyer’s agent having a separate agreement executed with the seller for the seller to offer to cover the buyers agent commission.  

The biggest mistake new investors make is to walk a property, maybe explain in general terms what they want and then let the contractor come up with the SoW.For a bedroom this could be:- replace carpet- repair closet dooror- remove carpet- remove curtains, nails and screws- replace closet doors, entry door SKU#- replace window SKU#- refinish hardwood floors 144 sqft, clear/oil-based- prep and paint all woodwork- patch walls, texture, paint walls eggshell white clay, ceiling flat white- replace light fixture SKU#, replace lightswitch w decora/white, replace 3 outlets&covers- install blinds SKU#Obviously, the cost would be quite different.

Can try to reposition to Class B, but neighborhood may impede these efforts.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, but 15-20% should be used to also cover tenant nonpayment, eviction costs & damages.Tenant Pool: majority will have FICO scores of 560-620 (approaching 22% probability of default), many blemishes, but should have no evictions in last 2 years.

The woman's income covers the bills, and the employer's reference for the man adds credibility.

Have you seen people who are weary of contingent contracts be willing to offer more in concessions at closing to help cover the bridge loan?