Its a nice little cheat/loophole on the mortgage side that can help afford a larger home pice and increase your chances of getting a home or other loans.If you have any questions feel free to reach out I am always happy to help and go over the basics.

I have found that the "value add" opportunities, with rent increases, renovations, zoning conversions, and other work needed, absolutely do take up more of your time compared to a more turnkey property - even with third party management overseeing the process. 

Would love any additional info and the chance to check it out! 

After a year at staring at insurance data daily, AZ insurance rates are only increasing marginally, while most states are damn near doubling.3.

Undoubtedly, your involvement has lead to increased business funneling to Obie...Two questions:Does Obie insure free-standing mobile homes (without land)?

@James Landsford That punch list is a lot of work that won't necessarily help with you increasing rents over time.

If you're in Northern MN, there is a very good chance that the cost to build a new duplex exceeds the resale value, which would be an awful idea to build a new one. 

I thought there was a chance that one could use real estate to directly lower their main source of taxable income (such as a w2).

A lot of lenders used to apply 35% for expenses, but in the last several years, the numbers for supplies, labor, utilities, taxes, etc… have increased significantly.Also take into account the age, occupancy and how has the property been maintained, this will affect the expenses too

.- Over a 10 year period cashflow will increase as rents increase (rents typically rise faster than property taxes, insurance, etc.)- The property should be appreciating, if purchased in a good location, increasing the owner's equity/wealth.- Rents will be paying the mortgage off, increasing the owner's equity/wealth.- If you hold a rental until death, you can pass it on with a stepped-up cost basis, limiting captial gains if then sold (limited by inheritance tax limitations).Too many newbies on this site trying to replace their day job income via "passive" real estate investing w/o digging deep enough to understand how it really works.