I had to start the eviction process, but fortunately, they left a little over a month after their lease ended—just before it went to court.These challenges reinforced the importance of tenant screening and clear leases, lessons I’d carry with me throughout the year.Summer: Refinancing and Big ChangesSummer brought a mix of wins and challenges:I began having issues with the garden unit tenants, which would escalate later in the year.After learning from the screening mistakes I made with the garden unit, I updated the third-floor unit and rented it to great new tenants.

What’s a key mistake you’ve learned from that could help others?

Sometimes agents do it because they don't know any better, are order takers, or make a mistake.  

Got into the home with a low down payment , made repairs, rented and refinanced to pay off line and eliminate the PMI.

This was my first property, and while it's been a great learning experience, I made several mistakes along the way—ranging from choosing a realtor who was more focused on closing the deal than finding the right house to having a poor inspection and overlooking issues hidden beneath the surface (literally).

This is my first investment of this sort and it has not worked out how I originally intended but I am learning from my mistakes and will be making better decisions in the near future What made you interested in investing in this type of deal?

y @Alex Kim:Good to know the new 2020 law will eliminate the lot restrictions.

I will be very careful with my first investment if I were you, unless you have a rich father or uncle who is willing to finance your mistake.

If you want to hear a bit more of my story, I was a guest on the BP podcast and there's a little more context, you can listen here.I've made ALL of the mistakes.

And what’s one mistake you’d tell someone new to avoid?