I have been less active on the investor homefront dealing with an unexpected curveball I got thrown in life.Still have big goals for Q1 2025: -Get Pre Qual'd for VA construction loan(may be until later in the quarter as I also have to refi out of my current VA loan to regain full entitlement.

What are some unconventional creative financing strategies you've personally used or encountered in real estate investing that led to unexpected success, and what lessons did you learn from those experiences?

Here are some key red flags to watch for:🔴 Lack of experience: A borrower without a proven track record in real estate projects may struggle to navigate unexpected challenges.🔴 Overly optimistic projections: Unrealistic ARV (after-repair value) or underestimated rehab costs can signal poor planning—or worse, a lack of transparency.🔴 Incomplete or disorganized documentation: Missing detailed plans, financial statements, or timelines could mean the borrower isn’t ready to execute the project successfully.🔴 Over-leveraged finances: Borrowers with excessive debt or insufficient personal capital invested in the deal could pose a greater risk of default.🔴 Questionable property comps: Overstated market values or inappropriate comparables may mean they’re inflating expectations.As always, thorough due diligence is your best protection.

The culture component is ESSENTIAL!

Most municipalities have different mix-use categories which dictate the precise commercial use that's allowed.A few additional observations on mix-use assets and how I approach them (1) they are generally more difficult to finance than multi-family assets so expect lower leverage terms even if the property performs just as well if not better than a multi-family property and therefore price this into your acquisition (2) I focus on mix-use assets where at least 80% of the income is generated through the residential component.

Inspections may cost more upfront, but they can save you from significant headaches and unexpected expenses down the road.Negotiate Hard: Use inspection findings as leverage.If the HVAC is near the end of its life, negotiate a credit for its replacement.If the cast iron plumbing is deteriorating and needs replacement, ask for a credit as well.Sellers often prefer negotiating credits over doing the work themselves.To give you an example: I was once under contract for an old house priced at $170,000.

For reserves, you'll want 3-6 months of potential expenses saved (repairs, vacancies, unexpected costs).

The no cash component will be your biggest hurdle. 

I have seen far too many times where these do not hit pro forma due to unexpected problems like theft, crime, etc.And, on top of that you are not even going to be in the US and have no ability to supervise and make sure that the people that you hired (who are not aligned with you) are looking out for your best interests.

This strategy identifies components of the property that can be depreciated over shorter timeframes (e.g., 5, 7, or 15 years instead of the standard 27.5 or 39 years).