Whether you’re targeting strong cash flow or long-term appreciation, understanding the dynamics of each neighborhood is key.

In lower-value areas like Sylmar, market values max out around $3.28 million, which results in a loss.The key takeaway?

@Emeka OkekeIt's great to see your commitment to learning and networking—those are key to success in real estate.

The key to success is understanding the nuances of the market—different neighborhoods perform very differently, and having a strong team on the ground is essential.If you’re interested, I’m happy to share some resources on investing in Detroit and what makes it work for BRRRR.

When we moved, we turned it into a rental, hoping this would be the start of our real estate journey—something we’d like to continue once my husband retires.Some key details:My husband is active duty and will retire in 3 years.We have one final move coming up this summer to Raleigh, NC.Our current debts are crippling us—the high interest makes it tough to stay afloat every month.The plan I proposed to my husband:Sell the rental property.Use the proceeds to pay off all our debts, set aside emergency funds and a down payment for our next home.Free up $1,500/month from debt payments, and that also can stash in a high-yield savings account.Regain full VA loan entitlement, allowing us to purchase a multifamily home and use the house hacking strategy for up coming move.Avoid capital gains tax, since April marks five years of ownership, and the tenant’s lease ends in May.This wasn’t our original plan, and we hate the idea of using our equity to pay off debt.

Focus on key areas first (like floors, walls, kitchen, or bathroom), which may help you handle the costs more gradually, even if it means moving in furniture or updating fixtures down the line.Also, since the tenant left it in rough shape, be sure to document all the damage (photos, receipts) in case you decide to pursue reimbursement through their security deposit or in court.

Do you have a price point you're targeting and are you looking for turn-key properties or something along the lines of a "fixer upper"?

I believe that mentorship and collaboration are key to success in this industry, and I'm here to learn from all of you and contribute where I can.If you're in the Charlotte area or have insights to share, I’d love to hear from you!

@Chris Mahoo Even without qualifying for Real Estate Professional Status (REPS), long-term rentals offer key benefits like depreciation deductions over 27.5 years, deductible expenses (e.g., mortgage interest, repairs), and up to $25,000 in passive loss deductions if your MAGI is under $150K.

Another key change is making sure your contractor actually sticks to completion deadlines...why, because of how extremely tedious permit inspectors are getting in some cities, which can slow progress in and of itself.