But if you put in the effort, Detroit can be incredibly rewarding.Over the last several years, the city has been on a steady upswing: population growth, major corporate investments, and increasing demand for housing are all positive indicators.

@Gil CanfuWith a $300k price range, you're definitely in a good position to find some solid investment opportunities in the North Texas market.

Connect with a housing coordinator if that position is available in your area and stay in contact with that person. 

By letting the tenant know that while you hate what happened to her and the position it has put her in, you are not the right vehicle/organization to subsidize her. 

Learn from this so it never is repeated.On the positive, with the value add you likely will do alright flipping it.Good luck

If you and your fiance are willing to make a couple moves and remodels you could put yourself in a very strong cash position. 

I know what it’s like to be in your position, and I believe in paying it forward.

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.

This creates two loan payments ($100,000 of equity and $300,000 on the new mortgage).Key NumbersHome Equity Loan Interest Rate: 6%Mortgage Interest Rate: 7%Rental Income: $3,000 per monthExpenses (management, taxes, insurance, maintenance): $800 per monthIncome and ExpensesMonthly Rental Income: $3,000Monthly Expenses: $800Monthly Mortgage Payment: $2,000ExplanationThe investor earns $3,000 in rent each month.They pay $2,000 on the investment property mortgage and $800 on other expenses.This leaves $200 profit each month or $2,400 per year.However, you have to pay $6,000 interest on the equity borrowed.This leaves you with an annual loss of $3,600.While the rental property generates positive monthly income, the interest cost of borrowing the initial $100,000 results in an overall loss.

Unfortunately, given current and foreseeable prices and interest rates, I will not be in the position to buy anything else anywhere I’d want to go.