I'm now considering expanding my real estate ventures into building custom homes, but I know this is an entirely different beast between the required capital, learning curve, time committment, etc. 

that we’ve learned in our 24 years, managing almost 700 doors across the Metro Detroit area, including almost 100 S8 leases:Class A Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, 3-5 years for positive cashflow, but you get highest relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% the more recent norm.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 680+ (roughly 5% probability of default), zero evictions in last 7 years.Class B Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, decent amount of relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% should be applied only if proper research done to support.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 620-680 (around 10% probability of default), some blemishes, but should have no evictions in last 5 yearsClass C Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, high cashflow and at the lower end of relative rent & value appreciation.

•Adjusting bookkeeping records to align with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)•Analyzing financial performance and advising on business decisions•Preparing and filing tax returns (if properly trained)Credentials:•Typically hold a degree in accounting or finance•Some may have certifications like Certified Management Accountant (CMA) or Enrolled Agent (EA)Caveats:While accountants can generate financial reports and file tax returns, they cannot represent clients before the IRS.

that we’ve learned in our 24 years, managing almost 700 doors across the Metro Detroit area, including almost 100 S8 leases:Class A Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, 3-5 years for positive cashflow, but you get highest relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% the more recent norm.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 680+ (roughly 5% probability of default), zero evictions in last 7 years.Class B Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, decent amount of relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% should be applied only if proper research done to support.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 620-680 (around 10% probability of default), some blemishes, but should have no evictions in last 5 yearsClass C Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, high cashflow and at the lower end of relative rent & value appreciation.

I built my team through networking on places like BP forums and FB groups.I have since moved to Indianapolis from the west coast to continue to grow my portfolio here and have expanded my business to include support for other OOS investors who need the same support I did when I was remote.

The industry is mature and margins have properly compressed.

So I'm a fan of buying in the path of progress from here since it's starting to expand outwards into cheaper neighborhoods.

A home equity loan seems like a possible way to expand my portfolio, would consider buying a multifamily and renting out our current home to live in one of the units and purchase it as a primary home (assuming its 4 units or less), but being in the Santa Cruz CA area, I am afraid I'll need to look outside of CA for any deal that makes sense, and can't afford to lose my great job (can't work remotely).  

There are fees associated with going to Real Estate school, obtaining your license, joining the board and MLS for your area, getting proper E&O insurance and so forth. 

While there could be avenues to acquire real estate creatively with less cash operating  real estate properly is capital intensive.