If that is a problem for you, you should just sell or self manage because you aren't going to find a similar level of service for a lower price.

Meanwhile,  investments in stabilized properties tend to require an investor with a lower return requirement.

I wanted to help them out and minimize their loss and saw an opportunity to get a property slightly below market because of my commission savings, immediate mortgage and maintenance relief, in addition to keeping a lower short term interest rate How did you find this deal and how did you negotiate it?

As you're just starting out in Austin, focus on learning the local market, particularly areas with good rental demand and lower entry prices.

As an agent, you can also represent yourself and put your commission toward the down payment, further lowering your out of pocket costs.

that we’ve learned in our 24 years, managing almost 700 doors across the Metro Detroit area, including almost 100 S8 leases:Class A Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, 3-5 years for positive cashflow, but you get highest relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% the more recent norm.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 680+ (roughly 5% probability of default), zero evictions in last 7 years.Class B Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, decent amount of relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% should be applied only if proper research done to support.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 620-680 (around 10% probability of default), some blemishes, but should have no evictions in last 5 yearsClass C Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, high cashflow and at the lower end of relative rent & value appreciation.

It is often much lower than rent O meter because rent O meter is pulling data from the advertised price, not the rented price.

Some local banks are fine with 20% down but I don't think they'll go any lower.

Strategies like living in a duplex or triplex, adding an ADU, or renting by the room can help maximize cash flow while leveraging FHA or VA loans for lower upfront costs.

. $220,000 is definitely a lower purchase price amount and really limits you on what you can buy.