I bought my first rental in June of 2024 and have had a tenant that has been making late payments since day 1.

In a city like Philly, you will face many challenges - you need to learn the market and know the neighborhood and the block and make sure all of your numbers are within reason, you need very reliable contractors, you need a to understand the permit process, you need to be familiar with market expectations. 

Hi BP community - I'm an investor with 3 SFHs in the Nashville area looking to acquire my first small multifamily property (2-4 units).I'm trying to determine the best approach for the 25% downpayment, comparing using...

Because the payment is coming from the tenant, and not the surety bond provider, claims are always processed without a fight.If you are interested in considering a surety bond program, I recommend Obligo.

It's a new resource from BiggerPockets that helps you find reliable property management partnerships and gives you everything you need to make confident hiring decisions:-Expert Matching: Match with professionals who meet your criteria-Extra Assurance: See licenses, experience, ratings, reviews, and more that can be cross-checked with BiggerPockets members-Bonus Content: Plus they'll send you an interactive workbook: “How to Interview Property Management Companies”Hope this helps!

If you're strictly seeking off-market deals, I recommend connecting with and working with a reliable/resourceful wholesaler instead of a real estate agent.

Down payment amount varies and more you put down the highre you will be in the queue of applicants, also down payment varies per your credit...Dodd Frank IS in play!!

They owe payments. 

Keep in mind of the I/O(payments/period) and game plan on how fast you'd like to pay it down. 

Key Factors for a Good Seller-Financed DealCash Flow: Rental income should exceed monthly payments (PITI) by at least 1.25–1.5x.Purchase Price: Compare to ARV and market value for fair pricing and equity potential.Interest Rate: Aim for competitive rates; higher rates must still allow positive cash flow.Amortization/Balloon Terms: Favor longer amortization and align balloon payments with your exit strategy.Down Payment: Lower upfront costs reduce risk but should meet the seller's expectations.Flexibility: Seek no prepayment penalties and fair late-payment clauses.Property Condition: Ensure the property’s condition matches terms through inspections.Seller Motivation: Assess the seller’s willingness to negotiate favorable terms.Exit Strategy: Have a clear plan for refinancing or payoff at term end.Portfolio Fit: Ensure the deal aligns with your financial goals and risk tolerance.Vetting multiple deals and consulting professionals is crucial to making sound decisions.