It sounds like you’ve been doing some serious groundwork with all the reading and research, which is such a strong start to your journey toward FI and retiring by 55.It’s awesome that you’re exploring real estate as an option, even if you’re not completely sold on being a landlord yet.

Implementing water-saving initiatives is a smart way to reduce utility costs.

@Sung Yu You can 1031 exchange your fourplex into a single-family home, provided it’s initially used as an investment property (rented for 1–2 years) to meet IRS requirements.

Tenant initially says it’s a new roach problem that “started when I bought the house”.

Hold for Long-Term IncomeBuffett has held AMEX for nearly 60 yearsHeld Coca-Cola for 35+ yearsSimilar to buy-and-hold real estate strategiesFocus on Cash Flow GrowthBoth AMEX and Coke have consistently increased dividendsJust like raising rents over time in quality propertiesLook for MoatsAMEX: Strong brand and network effectsCoca-Cola: Unbeatable brand powerLike owning property in irreplaceable locations💡 The Real Estate AdvantageWhile Buffett mastered dividend investing, real estate investors can do even better because:We can use significant leverage safelyWe control our asset's improvementWe get superior tax advantagesWe can force appreciation through improvementsWhat do you think, BiggerPockets community?

Think FL, TX, AZ, NV, and other southern states as the ones that boomed the fastest.On the flip side, the northeast ME, VT, and NY are still strong markets and will probably be the last dominoes to fall.I can't tell you what to do, but I am waiting until the middle of 2025/2026 before trying to catch a falling knife in the southern areas.  

Hi Daniel,If you're looking for strong cash flow, Midwest and Southeastern markets typically offer the best rent-to-price ratios.

@Charlie Hardage, how is paying down the HELOC better than paying down the initial mortgage without the HELOC?

We are within our rights as tenants to request that you initiate a fix to the problem within the next 24 hours due to the condition of the house presenting both health and safety hazards.

I've had a long career in community development and have a lot of bank contacts that would likely be interested in investing, but I'd need to prove the concept first with an initial fund (there are also a lot of other community development tools that could be leveraged to maximize and scale this).