Just be extra conservative with your ARV estimates and have a great team of contractors to keep rehab costs in check.

You can always build in a small extra fee for a realtor if its an off market property.

So your saying select No Damage Protection and just submit an extra charge when it's warranted? 

If you have a savings account earning less than 7.5%, no need to have a savings account when you have extra funds available to you in your heloc.

You said, "I'll have to put in extra of my own money for reserves..."

BEAUTIFUL DUPLEX IN THE HEART OF MIAMI THIS PROPERTY IS SO UNIQUE IT HAS A AUD 1/1 ON THE SIDE THAT BRINGS IN AN EXTRA 1100 !

Your target metros make sense, and direct flights are a convenience, but if Columbus or Huntsville offer better returns, they’re worth considering despite the extra travel.For OOS investing, a property manager is highly recommended, especially for a first-time investor.

Also get rid of the cat or you'll be charged an additional $xxx fee and an extra $xx/month.

One effective strategy to maximize unit potential is to explore opportunities for adding extra units, especially in C-Class properties.

The goal is to minimize unnecessary usage and prevent extra costs, rather than blindly paying whatever bill comes in.