If we assume all cash and a 50% expense ratio (this improve with time due to the near fixed property tax) would provide 4.8% return from cash flow not including closing costs).  0.5 (rent ratio) * 0.5 (50% rule) * 12 (months). 

They typically report rent payments to credit bureaus, helping tenants improve their credit scores.

@Ben CallahanCheck out markets that can fit with your lifestyle, time, and energy.

These items have me slightly concerned and weighs on my decision, making me want to "take the money and run".Question: Would you sell, abandoning a 3.125% interest rate, $1000/mo cashflow (which I believe would be roughly halved if a loan were taken for the capital improvements to the larger property), to lock in the equity gains tax-free made since 2020?

Naturally, I assumed REI’s "white-glove" service included a strong legal team to handle these situations efficiently.

If you need the cash flow to live on and it will improve your lifestyle, then go for it.

You will learn to be efficient with your marketing dollars and time and the community is very supportive.

The only other option that comes to mind is to make the improvements and try to achieve favorable rental rates to push the story that 2 BR homes rent for a premium because its unique.

I download those into Geo Batchcode so I can plan an efficient route to check out those properties, and of course I take note of any others of interest that I see along the way.  

They will improve, but never "pop."