I live on long island and run a landscape business here right now. 

As for the BRICS currency, do you think the world will trust a currency primarily managed by 2 authoritarian regimes with declining demographics and economic power?

The contractor took 3.5 months, and her mortgage was $1,500 not including utilities and landscape (oh and market/escrow time).

It’s interesting how those factors shape the investment landscape in Texas.

& different parts of the asset can be depreciated on different schedules.To find out the useful lifespan of each component, you do a cost segregation study to analyze all of the parts.The raw land can't be depreciated so you start by giving that a value first.But other items can be depreciated on a quicker timeline.A roof, road, sidewalk, fencing, walls, gates, doors, latches, flooring, air conditioners, pavers, curbing, landscaping, etc.The IRS has a depreciation schedule for each type.Some parts are 5 yrs.

You can virtually empty and stage rooms, and even do landscaping, all within a photo!

Key words or demographics I should focus on.3) when a property is under contract (especially if it isn't local) what services or practices are used to get pictures for marketing, showing the property, inspections, etc?

Every property of interest must be evaluated based on current and future performance.Current ConsiderationsTime to rentRenovation Cost & RiskInitial ROI and cash flowPurchase PriceMaintenance costAcceptable area rental restrictionsIn an area that is doing well and likely to do better in the future.In the migration path of urban sprawl.Future ConsiderationsThe location has a track record of appreciation and rent increases.It physically matches the expected demographic changes for the foreseeable future.Buy what your “customer” wants to rent, not what you think is a good property.

You could then get a HELOC/LOC on that paid of property (a product that doesn't require you to use it) and then if you did have a big emergency you had a line to use on it.Now, ALL of this is dependent on how much money you have in the bank, how many properties you have, what your income will be like in retirement, what the standard age would be for your end of life (that's a scary one to think about), and while yes, you can certainly take equity out I just think it would be good to sit down with a financial planner...or even some other investors that are local to you that are around your age demographic and see what they are doing.I'm glad you are thinking about this for sure.  

Navigating the mortgage landscape can be complex, but I am dedicated to making the process as smooth as possible for you.Looking forward to connecting with agents and investors sharing some of the experiences we face in the industry on a regular basis!