@Chris HainsI use the House Flipping Spreadsheet (https://www.houseflippingspreadsheet.com/) to do the planning, analysis and estimating prior to purchase. 

.🚨 Common issues I see:❌ Not properly tracking repairs vs. capital improvements❌ Missing out on cost segregation & depreciation write-offs❌ Scrambling at tax time instead of planning proactivelyI’d love to hear from the group—what’s been your biggest tax headache as an investor?

Unfortunately, while there are other methods to acquire investment properties, the reality is you need cash and reserves to plan and set up your investment portfolio accordingly. 

It's in a rural town so I'm also worried that demand might not be as high as in more densely populated areas.I'm planning to call local banks this week to understand financing options and contact some contractors who might be interested in building additional units. 

I’m at the very beginning of my REI journey and I would love some guidance on how I can best optimize my planning, research and saving phase (which I’m dedicating 2025 to).

Why would you literally wait until the last minute, when a flat tire or difficulty finding a parking space be the difference between keeping and losing your home?

You will also provide the whole amount if you plan on repaying the loan in full beforehand.  

Even if the rental has a decent cash flow with additional flood insurance, we're still not sure we want to take on that risk as we are out-of-state investors (planning to move back to KY in the future, but not now) and we don't like that it will potentially bring down the perceived value when we try to sell it in the future.The seller has never lived there and has not provided any information on if it has flooded before or not. 

Quote from @Allison Park: Good agents won't want to work with you.Nothing has changed with commissions.

.: I just hired an architect to design and plans submit for ADU in my 8 multi unit to use the tuck under parking.Some people say do not try to be the general contractor as it will take way more time, costly mistakes and will be nearly impossible to manage with current work. best to hire a company that will do it all and cost about $250 per square foot.