Several of my investor clients have dealt with similar situations in North Carolina, and here’s my take based on those experiences.First, you’re right about the legal framework: NC landlords must make reasonable efforts to re-rent the property, but tenants remain liable for the rent until a new tenant is found.

I am only familiar with the contract in my state but items seller agrees to do based on inspection findings are their responsibility unless spelled out differently.  

Talk to a CPA for advice based on your goals.Reinvestment: Instead of paying off properties quickly, reinvest your cash flow into more properties to grow your portfolio faster.Rent Increase: Look for opportunities to increase rents or add value to your current property to boost cash flow.Consider focusing on multi-family properties for better passive income.

Hey @Connor O'Brien - There is a list that CHA releases each year that states the maximum rent they will pay in certain chicago areas based on bed and bath counts. 

The more rehabs you do the better understanding you will have of the market for contacting work and materials.Doing a rehab every so often prevents you from being sharp with your budget.For those with limited exposure, ask others in the industry and always run your numbers based on being overbudget and overtime. 

I am based in FL so there is a heavy hotel lobby. 

@Tove Fox - Residential Real Estate InvestingPros:Lower Entry Costs: Easier to get started with less capital required.High Demand: People always need homes, making demand relatively stable.Easier Financing: Mortgages are generally easier to secure with favorable terms.Simplicity: Easier to understand and manage, especially for beginners.Flexibility: You can use it as a personal residence or rent it out.Cons:Tenant Turnover: More frequent turnover leads to vacancy and more management.Lower Cash Flow: Income potential can be modest compared to commercial properties.Emotional Buyers: Residential prices can be influenced by emotions, leading to price volatility.Maintenance Burden: Landlords often deal with repairs and maintenance, which can be time-consuming.Commercial Real Estate InvestingPros:Higher Income Potential: Stronger cash flow and higher returns are common.Long-Term Leases: Tenants often sign longer leases (3-10 years), reducing vacancy risk.Professional Tenants: Business tenants tend to take better care of the property.Valuation Based on Income: Prices are based on the income the property generates, not market emotions.Shared Costs: Tenants often cover property expenses like taxes, insurance, and maintenance (via triple-net leases).Cons:High Entry Costs: Requires more capital or partnerships to get started.Complex Management: More expertise is needed; you may need a professional property manager.Economic Sensitivity: Commercial properties are more sensitive to economic conditions.Challenging Financing: Securing financing can be harder, with stricter terms and higher interest rates.Zoning and Legalities: More complex regulations compared to residential properties.Key Differences:Risk: Residential tends to be lower risk, while commercial offers higher rewards but with greater risk.Management: Residential is easier for DIY investors, while commercial properties usually require a team.Scalability: Commercial properties are easier to scale, offering more potential for significant cash flow increases.

Loan interest is deductible based on the use of the loan, not the asset securing the loan. 

Your job is to keep tightening it up (geographically and based on asset type) and meeting investors until you have a buy box that makes sense for you.There is also no point to running deals through a calculator if you are seeing them.

But from what I've observed (and I'm sure you've seen too), only a few new investors, who are more analytical in nature, do this.One of the issues that I've seen again and again is new investors putting together a "spreadsheet" based on their limited understanding, that produces inaccurate or misleading numbers.