I am a licensed realtor based in Atlanta, Georgia, and I am currently working on obtaining my mortgage origination license.

I’m a 41-year-old father of six who loves the Lord and is driven by a desire to build a better future for my family through real estate.I own a small tile installation business, am a certified insurance agent, and am currently in the process of obtaining my real estate license.

This is not a bargain or a true avenue to obtain off market listings.

This will increase the return above what can be obtained on a passive investment.The flipside of having the power to control everything is that it can be alot of work (and a full-time job if a person is putting in sweat equity).

My wife and I have obtained three traditional loans and one lease with the option to purchase, resulting in most banks turning us down based on debt to income (non-portfolio lenders). 

@Heather Bailey When house hacking with a separate rental unit, ensure proper insurance by obtaining landlord or short-term rental coverage tailored for Airbnb activities, in addition to your primary residence policy.

Please do this first:  contact the local Housing Authority office in your market area and obtain the landlord package.

My local realtor obtained information from the PM about the property’s income for 2024, along with an estimate of monthly expenses the owner is responsible for.

Such insight can be obtained from an experienced local team.In addition to the city meeting the requirements I listed, you must work with an experienced investment team.

The single biggest issue in my way currently is obtaining enough cash, whether it be my own, or through partnerships or family/friend-based lending (which I am very hesitant about to begin with as this could potentially strain relationships unnecessarily when money is involved).