They are a great tool becuase some lenders use AirDNA to qualifiy rental income if the property is not actively an AirBNB.

.: Here's a good guide with links to the law: https://www.tenantresourcecenter.org/earnest_moneyIf you charge $25 and the credit screening costs $10, you can keep the $10 as income.

It was only within the last 30 years has the upper middle class incomes start to spread out of the lake.  

Kudos to you for doing something to create a secondary income stream. there are 5 income streams in RE rentals, possibly six if you do things a certain way.The reality here is your model (buy box) is suffering from too high an entry and too high a cost of capital.

So, make sure YOU understand the copy & paste info below:Recommend you first figure out the property Class you want to invest in, THEN figure out the corresponding location to invest in.Property Class will typically dictate the Class of tenant you get, which greatly IMPACTS rental income stability and property maintenance/damage by tenants.If you apply Class A assumptions to a Class B or C purchase, your expectations won’t be met and it may be a financial disaster.If you buy/renovate a property in Class D area to Class A standards, what quality of tenant will you get?

I put the cash from the refi back into more mutlifamily units that produce more rental income. 

Do you sell any bank foreclosures in Comal or Guadalupe county Texas?

I envision this portfolio supporting me during my retirement years—though I still plan to work, just in a different capacity than I do today.I recently finished reading "How to Invest in Real Estate: The Ultimate Beginner's Guide" by Josh Dorkin and Brandon Turner, which has been incredibly helpful.

Start by getting pre-approved for a loan, ensuring your credit score, debt-to-income ratio, and finances meet lender requirements.

If enacted, these changes would bolster real estate valuations and enhance returns for investors.How Real Estate Outperforms Under Different ScenariosIf Interest Rates Rise (Higher Inflation):Treasuries: Medium- to long-term bonds lose value, potentially resulting in negative returns.Real Estate: Higher inflation leads to rent growth, boosting net operating income (NOI) and offsetting the impact of higher borrowing costs.If Interest Rates Fall (Cooling Economy):Treasuries: Bonds appreciate in value, improving returns.Real Estate: Lower rates drive cap rate compression, significantly increasing property valuations and returns for investors.Conclusion: Asymmetric Risk-Reward in Real EstateWhile Treasuries offer a safe haven, they also come with limited upside and potential interest rate risks for medium- to long-term maturities.