In that case, the seller is right to keep the money, depending on the terms of the K. 

More times than not any wholesale deal you do will have lots of hidden fees attached to it, namely picking up all the transfer taxes so depending on the county you could get hit very hard. 

Insurance is still an annual dog fight via my broker.Read your policy very carefully, consider replacement costs will probably be higher than estimatesResiliency is a requirement here.As far as sell or not....it'll depend on your determination to be here.This ain't the burbs of the bay area.Prepping for heavy rain right now.

It really all depends on the lender! 

Here are some trends that could play out, or further develop in 2025.Leasing & Tenant Experience AI-Powered Leasing: Chatbots and AI tools will streamline leasing processes, from answering tenant inquiries to scheduling tours.Virtual Tours & Digital Leasing: These will become even more standard, making it easier for tenants to rent remotely.TechnologySmart Property Management: IoT devices (smart locks, thermostats, etc.) will become more common, improving efficiency and tenant satisfaction.Property Management Software: Platforms will integrate more AI for predictive maintenance, rent collection, and financial reporting.SustainabilityGreen building practices and energy-efficient upgrades will be a major focus, driven by tenant demand and potential incentives.AI & AutomationAI will play a bigger role in tenant screening, rent pricing optimization, and even predicting market trends.Automation will handle repetitive tasks like maintenance requests and lease renewals, freeing up PMs for higher-level activities.I'm sure there are plenty more shifting trends that I haven't mentioned and that are sure to evolve over the next year. 

@Chris Seveney  - Depends on risk tolerance.

don't be afraid of better markets in ohio like columbus. depending on the capital allocation buying old houses and having to renovate is not the only way to drive value. build rent refinance repeat and build to rent are both very strong market drivers as well and you can traditionally get infill land in areas like columbus in much better locations than where you buy.

They may offer less direct management and, depending on the location, could provide a solid return.Peer-to-Peer Lending or Crowdfunding: You could look into real estate crowdfunding platforms that let you invest in real estate projects without owning property.

The idea of debt-free is that if a person is going to retire and has to completely depend on the income, they don't want a severe recession surprising them and causing them to default on the debt and losing the properties.In a normal world, I would do that as well.

I know the cost of land has to be 1.2 million max for 2 acres. that's going to be rare in South Florida but may be possible or it might be more north even past palm Beach county since land is so scarce. but talking to a developer or getting clients and building your needs list will help a lot. depends if you want to work commercial or residential as well