Finally, work with your lender to assess the financials thoroughly before jumping in.

If you really want to become financially independent, it's an all hands on deck, every strategy at once approach.

If you bring it to their attention, they might move it to auction faster.Go direct to the owner – If they’ve been sitting on unpaid taxes for years but haven’t been foreclosed on yet, they’re probably in some kind of financial distress.

Now, these outfits hire lots of influencers and affiliates, with no expertise, no financial background, and apparently limited ethics, to put it kindly.

You’d need a clear exit plan and enforceable lease terms to protect your investment.Think about the following:Tenant Risk – Can they truly recover financially, or will you face another eviction situation?

.⚠ Other Issues – They could be hiding something (evictions, unpaid rent history, or other financial instability).What You Can Do:✔ Ask for the official employment verification letter – Many HR departments provide standard verification letters upon request.✔ Verify pay stubs – Cross-check them with bank statements to confirm deposits match.✔ Call the employer directly – If HR is off-limits, ask for a manager’s contact instead.✔ Stick to a Consistent Screening Process – Fair Housing laws require uniform screening criteria, so making an exception for one applicant could lead to discrimination claims.

I had the lightswitch moment after investing in NC for a while and I would get ok cash flow, but the properties I owned all doubled in value in about 5-6 years and I realized I could appreciate my way to financial success much faster than I could cash flow my way there. 

Hello @Diana Teng,If you choose a city that meets the financial independence requirements and work with an experienced local team, you should be OK.The goal of real estate investing is financial independence.

That 4% cap rate on in place financials is a lie.  

If you don’t have a certain amount of funds set aside for these situations as well as your portion of closing costs and some extra reserves for once you close then you’re likely not financially ready to be buying things.