We closed and the Dundee property was listed for rent late August.105 days of vacancy, three rent reductions, and two PM teams later, I’m stuck with an unrented property that, once rented, will cash flow negative each month (and that’s excluding the cost of the 100+ days of vacancy).I later learned that the initial PM team I was paired with actually did not have any experience with RTR.

Your situation presents a classic trade-off between long-term appreciation potential and short-term debt reduction.

My gut tells me that Texas, particularly Austin and Houston, could be where the next wave of growth and expansion occurs, mainly driven by strong business and job creation trends.Here’s what I’m looking for in my US investments:Free-standing houses with a good land component, at least 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, and in well-maintained condition.Budget : Will have to keep a factor of safety for the current exchange rates of AUD.USD = 0.68 so will cap our budget at 250K- 300K.Yielding over 6%, with a slight cash flow positive outcome, while also offering medium-term capital appreciation potential.Holding for at least 5 years or more, with a view towards steady growth.The long-term goal is financial independence, reducing reliance on salary-based income, and building assets during this accumulation phase.Debt reduction is on the horizon—looking to consolidate and start winding down debt within the next 7 years.If anyone has experience investing in the Texas real estate market or any tips on navigating US property investments, feel free to share your thoughts! 

You are going to have to weight that against your desire to transfer management.If you want to go down the path of outsourcing some of the burden, suggest you make a list of everything you do.

That in addition to my other arguments got me a 20+% reduction in assessed value!

@Sofia De Santos Tavarez A good contractor is worth their weight in gold.

The more you negotiate, the less weight your lease will hold, and that is the only leverage you have. 

It could also be the result of job loss, career switch, free lance work, self employment, spouse wanting to stay home with newborn, pay reduction, or inability to sell existing home, moving job locations, or any other “life circumstances”.After thinking about it, my opinion on the “ethics” of entering a lease option as an investor with a homeowner/consumer rests on two issues.  

If you can get to 20%, you start to see small interest rate reductions. 

$X principal reduction gets you X extra months.