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

I wouldn't remove auto-pay on your utilities from your credit/debit card if you have them, don't want to miss your electric bill by accident but any daily/casual/somewhat necessary spending is cash.

It feels like everyone and their grandma is on the Do Not Call list nowadays and my worry is the fines associated with accidently calling these individuals. 

Risk Management: Be aware of the risks involved, such as unexpected renovation costs, property management challenges, or changes in the housing market.

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.

Real estate is very tricky, if one can be successful it's because investor can see the hidden pitfalls and trap, and have ability to dance with the unexpected.

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.

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?

No, you'll just avoid some areas, like you would in Mexico.Clearly, if the violence would get out of control and too many accidents with tourists happen, the growth in tourism could in theory slow down but it is nobody's interest that happens, including the drug cartels.

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.