Getting multiple contractors involved will be your best bet to get a reliable estimate, though you need to come up with a scope of work.

A BRRRR strategy or house hacking with a duplex can maximize your returns.Consider leveraging financing to acquire multiple properties, which spreads risk and scales your portfolio faster.

Give us your recent deals, or best potential deals, and share what your goals are to help Dave walk through opportunities, and potential pitfalls of your deal(s)Feel free to submit more than one deal, maybe even submit multiple deals you're looking at and he can help you weigh pros and cons of multiple head to head!

Keep them updated to reflect seasonal decor or recent upgrades.Offer High-Impact Amenities: Small touches like a coffee maker, fast WiFi, or a thoughtful welcome gift can transform a stay into a memorable experience.Stay Communicative and Proactive: Prompt, friendly communication makes guests feel valued.

However, managing multiple LLCs can mean higher costs and administrative work (separate bank accounts, annual filings, etc.).It depends on your risk tolerance and ability to stay organized.

The 1031 exchange would allow you to indefinitely defer all of the capital gains taxes and use it to purchase multiple newer properties with lower capital expenditures, in a better market. 

Also, monitor current mortgage rates, as high rates can significantly impact your monthly payments.Your personal circumstances are also important.

Use hard money loans to finance most of the purchase price, preserving your cash for down payments, renovations, and reserves, allowing you to handle multiple projects.

It also makes it harder for other operators down the road--- not your main concern but we all impact each other.What about you and your wife live in the garage unit, and rent out the house for a lot more, at least until all this permitting is figured out.

Just this year, I used that equity as down payments for multiple other buildings.