I liked the tenant, school is starting back etc, I told them they could pay first month and security deposit and I would let them have the rest of August for free.

I got the Discover It Secured card in high school and used that to build up my credit. 

All are perfectly functional now, but could pull higher rent with replacing the flooring, and updating the kitchen.My current financing setup for this deal would be $235,000 from the HELOC I already have secured.

Ensure you collect a proper security deposit (typically one month's rent in Florida) to cover potential damages.Your plan to increase rent next year makes sense given rising costs (taxes, insurance, and maintenance).

Some lenders offer creative solutions, like a cross-collateralized loan, where they use your existing equity as security without refinancing the duplex.Another idea is partnering with private lenders or exploring a second-position mortgage, depending on your lender's terms.

Over the last year, I've developed a passion for real estate and want to be able to use it to generate income and secure financial freedom in the long run.

When I started, I  submitted great deals to a corporate cash buyer,  they went behind my back and secure the deals with the sellers, after the  contracts expired.

Leveraging our market connections, we identified the property’s potential and negotiated favorable terms directly with the seller, securing it at a highly competitive price.

In short, securing an STR permit isn’t easy unless you fulfill all the township’s requirements

And if a property is owner occupied, how can you secure a loan with a hard money lender not being able to view the home to estimate repairs?