Some lenders even offer VA renovation loans, which could help if you find a property that needs a little work to maximize rental potential.Before jumping into a deal, check local rental laws and HOA rules.

A friend of mine bought some houses from them that he thought were occupied and running smoothly because rent checks always came through on time.

But in today’s market, with high interest rates and increasing home prices, finding a perfect deal that checks every box is nearly impossible.

Check local rents (Zillow, Rentometer) and cap rates—Cleveland’s market favors long-term stability.

@Jeff Young In addition to the Augusta REIA (great group), you should check out the local AORE group (The Art of Real Estate).

When you add back $20k depreciation for underwriting, you have the same $30k.See - how much depreciation you take does NOT change the number used for underwriting.And back to my skepticism - check with your lenders if you can qualify for any loan based on your income.

You might also want to check their creditworthiness, especially for larger transactions.

If you decide to go the Airbnb route in either city, be sure to check local regulations around short-term rentals to avoid any surprises.

Check on VRBO and Airbnb.

I have not checked with Regions before, but SRP is usually my go to financial institution.