They had to do some work outside the scope of an initial contracted amount of $19k.

You'll also need to "front" the initial work, and then you'll get reimbursed under the draw schedule of the loan. 

I chose this larger apartment because I had initially planned to rent out the spare bed + bath for $700-800/mo, but he stopped me because he 'wanted to ensure our privacy.' 

This can involve public hearings and meeting specific requirements.Surveyor: Hire a surveyor to map the property and define the boundaries of each condo unit.Legal Counsel: Work with a real estate attorney to ensure all legal requirements are met and the condo conversion is properly documented.Financial and Operational Considerations:Condo Fees: Determine the monthly condo fees for maintenance, repairs, and other communal expenses.Insurance: Ensure proper insurance coverage for the condo association and individual units.Reserve Fund: Establish a reserve fund for future repairs and maintenance.Tax Considerations:Initial Purchase with 1031 Exchange: 1031 Exchange Basics: By using a 1031 exchange, you defer capital gains taxes on the sale of your previous property by reinvesting the proceeds into a new like-kind property.Down Payment and Financing: You're putting down $220,000 and financing the remainder at 8% over 20 years, resulting in a monthly payment of $2,593.Converting to Condos and Selling Units:Capital Gains Deferral: The 1031 exchange allows you to defer capital gains on the initial exchange.

For a $300,000 property, this could be $6,000 to $15,000.Mortgage on Rental Property:Loan Amount: $240,000 (assuming 80% financed at 4% interest over 30 years).Monthly Payment: Approximately $1,145.Other Expenses:Property Taxes: Estimated at 1.5% of property value annually ($4,500).Insurance: Estimated at $1,500 annually.Maintenance: Estimated at 1% of property value annually ($3,000).Property Management Fees: Assuming 10% of monthly rental income ($2,400 annually if rent is $2,000 per month).Vacancy and Turnover Costs: 5% of annual rental income ($1,200).Total Initial Investment and Annual Operating ExpensesInitial Investment:Total Borrowed from Equity: $150,000Down Payment for Rental Property: $60,000Closing Costs for Rental Property: $10,500 (average)Total Initial Cash Outlay: $70,500 (initial investment from equity) + $10,500 (closing costs)Annual Operating Expenses:Property Taxes: $4,500Insurance: $1,500Maintenance: $3,000Property Management Fees: $2,400Vacancy and Turnover Costs: $1,200Total Operating Expenses: $12,600 annuallyExpected ReturnRental Income:Assuming $2,000 per month, annual rental income = $24,000.Net Operating Income (NOI):Annual Rental Income: $24,000Minus Annual Operating Expenses: $12,600NOI: $11,400Debt Service:Mortgage Payment on Rental Property: $1,145 monthly, $13,740 annually.Total Debt Service: $13,740 (rental property) + $8,592 (equity loan) = $22,332 annually.Net Cash Flow:NOI: $11,400Minus Debt Service: $22,332Net Cash Flow: -$10,932 annually (negative cash flow initially due to high debt service).Cash-on-Cash ReturnInitial Cash Investment: $70,500Net Cash Flow (first year): -$10,932Cash-on-Cash Return: Not applicable initially due to negative cash flow.Long-Term Appreciation and AdjustmentsProperty Appreciation:Assuming a 3% annual appreciation, the property value could increase by $9,000 annually.Rent Increases:Assuming a 2% annual rent increase, rental income will rise, improving cash flow.

As an example oceanfront homes STR's typically begin in the $1M+ range, and more conservative initial SFR investments begin around the $350-400k mark.

An assumed mortgage that is 2-3-4 years into the payment schedule, has the additional incentive of a greater percentage of their initial payments paying down a greater principal portion. 

Our apolgies for the long delay since this post was initially created. 

This can potentially enhance long-term wealth building.Tax Deferral-By reinvesting your proceeds into like-kind properties through a 1031 exchange, you can defer capital gains taxes, allowing you to reinvest more capital.Market Timing-Despite the competitive market, a 1031 exchange gives you a defined timeline to identify and acquire properties, potentially putting you ahead of other buyers who might not be as motivated by a tight deadline.Cons:Lower Initial Cash Flow-Acquiring additional properties may reduce your immediate cash flow, especially if properties in your target market are not as cash flow positive as your current property.Risk of Overpaying-In a competitive market, there's a risk of overpaying for properties just to meet the exchange deadline, which could impact your overall returns.Either one is a valid option, but overall it depends what your financial goals and restrictions are.

You may not have ill intent and you might not feel that you're discriminating, but in the eyes of the law, you did with the initial question you asked and doubled down with this response.