I made it clear that the minimum credit score and income requirement needed to be higher.

If you need financial help, ask under the "Finance, Tax, and Legal" forum.

Imagine a $185K income earner ($100K after tax) having a $600K mortgage.

I’m not claiming to know it all—I’m here to learn, build relationships, and grow.Here’s what I bring to the table:A strong understanding of leveraging Net Operating Income (NOI) to secure financing and reduce out-of-pocket costs.Experience in negotiating deals and identifying opportunities, especially in the LA market where many multi-family properties are under $2 million.Skills in managing larger properties, from scheduling repairs and upgrades to optimizing operations for long-term value.The ability to use AI tools for data analysis, market insights, and deal projections to help us act quickly and efficiently.I’ll be upfront—my funds are limited after dedicating the COVID years to supporting my family, but I have the work ethic and expertise to find and manage properties that perform.

From experience, switching to a conventional loan can help you remove PMI once you reach 20% equity, while DSCR loans are ideal if you’re focused on rental income.

Make a spreadsheet with current income and expenses and then figure out how long until rent surpasses expenses.

Lenders won't value it off the income approach unless it is a 5+ unit and even then, the LTR market rents are more often used to determine value.

Also, check if they have skin in the game (their own money invested), as it shows they’re confident in the deal and aligned with your interests.If you’re considering alternatives, REITs are fantastic for super-passive investors who want steady, low-effort returns—usually about 2 points above a savings account—but you lose tax benefits and control.

If you are still willing to stay in the same unit as your brother you can get a 2-4 unit building, rent out the other units and still rent a bedroom within your unit to your brother for extra income.

I do all of my income properties in Chemung County.