If he overestimated the value of property and can't recover his loss then it's none of your concern.

As long as I understand the risk and mitigated the risk with sound exit strategies, I can let people live in my properties and I haven't had any losses yet.

We're starting to see the fallout from this - borrowers cant exit deals without taking a loss but are refusing to accept this.SC seems to be doing OK at the moment, but Louisiana is seeing price declines.

This kind of investing is usually short sighted and focused only on immediate returns without taking into considering long term vision and investment.Excellent point about trying to put Class C tenants into Class A properties and vice versa.The first one will create lots of vacancy, deferred maintenance, loss of rental income, increase in evictions etc. 

You don't want to sell at a loss either.  

Profit and loss will be a guessing game. 

@Jennifer Fernéz I run sum numbers for you with our tool, see comments and pics below before refinancing and post refinancing .Financial Breakdown: Purchase Price: $200,000 Mortgage (LTV 80%): $160,000 Interest Rate: 6% (30-Year Amortization) Mortgage Monthly Payment: $959Upfront Costs: Down Payment (20%): $40,000 Closing Costs (3.5%): $7,000 Renovation Costs: $15,000 1 Month of Carrying Costs During Renovation: $1,548Total Upfront Required: $63,548Year One Rent: Monthly Rent Income: $2,000 1 Month Rent Losses during renovations (-$2,000): -$167/month distributed over 12 months Total Rent Income: $22,000 per year => $ 1,833 per monthMonthly Expenses: Mortgage Payment: $959 Property Tax (Assuming $3,000/year): $250 per month Property Insurance (Assumption): $100 per month Utilities (Hydro, Gas, Water): $275 per month Assuming 5% Vacancy: $92 Assuming 0 % Repairs & Maintenance first year because unit has been recently renovated Total Monthly Expenses: $1,676Monthly Net Cash Flow: $157Post-Renovation Refinancing Strategy after 12 months:So far, we’ve purchased the property, completed renovations, and rented it out.Next, you can approach the bank for a refinance to consolidate a portion of your initial investment into a mortgage.

I can see the OP giving this a shot.. but it is risky he could end up making a few bucks and getting experience might just break even or he could take a loss.. that margin is very thin in markets that are not selling as soon as you get CO  thats been one reason we have been profitable very few homes have been carried past CO so financing cost are at a minimum.. you hold a spec home 6 months past Co and every month your losing money you will not recover.

Should I just chalk it up as a loss and move on?

@Steve Englehart why would you sacrifice the tax penalty losses for short-term cashflow gains?