They used that period of unemployment to skip paying student loans and then try to get some kind of program/hardship deferral or something aka "gaming the system".

It’s s about knowing how to position yourself in markets where demand remains resilient, even when global STR margins are tightening.So yes, I completely agree that the game has changed, but for those willing to tackle the hard stuff in overlooked international markets with large American populations, the opportunity to combine cash flow with long-term appreciation is very much alive.

Focus on what the rents will look like post-renovation with 4 units instead of 2, and have a clear game plan for refinancing to pull your capital back out. 

This decision often comes down to a simple numbers game.

It's definitely easier to find a cash flowing property in Midwest but I am of the opinion that cashflow in real estate keeps you in the game but appreciation is where you build wealth.

Somehow I think it's better to hold onto my own money and keep that dry powder on the sidelines waiting to get into the game if there are some emergency expenditures (haha, very likely with the kinds of deals I'm thinking about in class C neighborhoods).

Negotiating felt like a game of chess—except I was playing against a grandmaster, and my queen was missing.

I don’t mind having skin in the game either, but I know using private money is key to scaling one day and would like to get some experience with it now, even if it doesn’t fund a majority of the deal. 

Throw in some washers and dryers in the units—it's a game-changer.

All over the web.