Extra 4 months of carrying costs are up most of the margin.

A solid rule of thumb is 10-20% extra in your budget.If you’re looking for a solid resource, J Scott’s The Book on Estimating Rehab Costs is a must-read.

I’ve had cases where it seemed like an easy fix, but dog hair can be a real nuisance that requires specialty equipment or extra cleaning hours.

Otherwise, you won't have the extra funds necessary to cover the rising costs of goods and services in the future.What causes rents (and prices) to increase?

I'm currently exploring opportunities in the Honolulu market and looking to use my VA renovation loan to purchase a 3-4 bedroom home, renovate it, and rent out the extra rooms as part of a co-living/house-hacking strategy.

If you've already lived there for 15+ months, some lenders may not require another full year post-refi—definitely worth clarifying before making a decision.At the end of the day, it comes down to how comfortable you are with a higher fixed payment vs. keeping extra liquidity.

A little extra diligence upfront is worth it to protect your property, your cash flow, and your sanity!

How much extra security deposit and rent increase is appropriate?

Contract for deed seems ideal as you could be making payments to him, which helps him pay the mortgage and extra for his apartment/travel.

You can make the resident carry liability insurance for the property because damage is not covered by the Housing Authority. 6.