. :) I learn a lot more from my mistakes than what I (very occasionally) get right on the first pass.

Absorb information and you'll quickly learn why I've said what I've said.

And this is why you fix your DTI issue, so you can do things properly and not get "creative" and learn the hard way.  

One of the constants that I still see from when I first started on BP in early 2016 is the willingness of experienced ( some on this very thread ) folks in different aspects of real estate to try and help newbies and others with advice and perspective.I think it really is a testament to the fact that even though the investing environment has undergone many changes over those years the willingness to continue to help others has not changed.It helped me tremendously when I had to crash course on small MF ownership and I am grateful to all who helped with posts that they didn't even know that I had read and learned from.And yes the search function remains fairly useless and unchanged in that regard since then to the detriment of us all.

Might learn something new.

Be prepared for the learning curve with Detroit—it’s rewarding but comes with its fair share of challenges.If you’d like more specific guidance or have questions, feel free to DM me.

It doesn't take long to learn how to spot a good deal.6.

The lessons you learned the hard way in 2008 will be invaluable now, and it’s great that you’re aiming to stay small-scale and within your comfort zone of Sacramento, which gives you an advantage of knowledge in that market.Given your experience, I'd say start by focusing on three key areas to build confidence and minimize risks:Budget Control: Over-renovating was one of the big mistakes you mentioned.

If there's anyone else from my neck of the woods, I'm wide open to learning how to navigate this niche.

It'll be a good learning excersize.