@Simon HorowitzNavigating the New York real estate market can be challenging, but with a focused strategy and strong networking, you can make significant progress.

Quote from @Scott Tennell: For real estate investors who have worked with private money lenders, what strategies have you found most effective in structuring deals to ensure both parties are protected and the funding process runs smoothly? 

The BRRR is a great strategy, but you will have to search hard to find a distressed duplex that you’re able to force appreciation on in this neck of the woods.

Also, long term, I expect Sac will enact tougher restrictions on STR, given the intense housing crunch we're experience, so I personally don't expect that to a be a good long term strategy.

It can be very easy to get tangled down in the weeds of all the different strategies.

@Jonathan Blanco, I'm and investor and a licensed mortgage broker so I've been on both sides of this conversation.I would look for a lender that (1) listens to you and understands your strategy and needs (hint: it's not always money), (2) has experience working with clients executing your strategy and brings more to the table than just cash - be it advice, relationships, deal-team partners, etc., (3) gives you viable options and explains the pros and cons of each option and (4) you enjoy interacting with - this should be a relationship, not a transaction.Once you find a few lenders like this (and you should have relationships with more than one), then you can start comparing rates and fees.

Applying a value add strategies can get you to much much more equity rather quickly.

Buying in your backyard eliminates so much for you.What strategy do want to follow?   

Like a calculator to simulate this strategy (https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/61/topics/795487-retire...), maybe showing how much equity could be pulled out of which property when, whether the portfolio would still cash flow, etc.

When investing in real estate, having multiple exit strategies is key.For a single investment property, make sure the numbers work for both scenarios: 1️) If you decide to sell the home, the deal should produce a solid return. 2️) If you need to rent it out, the rental income should cover expenses and provide a profit.Flexibility is what saves you when things don’t turn out as planned.