Adding value and sweat equity to the homes we occupied was the only way we could afford the bigger properties we needed.

If you sweat for a living, there is good money to be made.My Skeptical Take:I’ll do a 2025 prediction post in the coming weeks, but for now, I’ll just say that all signs are pointing in the ☝️ direction.

Or you can look at it this way - you've learned nothing and still have money sitting in your checking account wasting away and I just put another $3500 against my mortgage yesterday without breaking a sweat or taking anything out of savings.

Borrowers are not allowed to complete any of the work themselves as sweat equity.Loan to Value Calculations:The original principal amount of the mortgage may not exceed Fannie Mae’s maximum allowable mortgage amount for a conventional first mortgage.Purchase: For a purchase money transaction, the LTV is determined by dividing the loan amount by the lesser of the “as completed” appraised value of the property or the sum of the purchase price of the property and the total rehabilitation costs.Refinance Transactions: For a refinance transaction, the LTV is determined by dividing the original loan amount by the “as completed” appraised value of the property.Eligible Renovation:There are no required improvements or restrictions on the types of repairs allowed.

.- there are ways to never pay tax on gains (1031, owe until death, etc)- cost segregation can in effect have RE acquired at no cost- sweat equity can produce additional return.  

Larger properties spread your risk.Be Ready for Some Sweat Equity: Many first-time house hackers underestimate this part, but putting in a little elbow grease can drastically improve your returns.

After a few months you will find out who is flipping and rehabbing and you can offer your sweat equity to help them and learn while you are there.

I wish new investors could know how much sweat equity and time you have put into your business to make it look like this for 2025.

It's VERY rare that an engineer could add enough value to a deal to have them be an equity partner (sweat equity).

Instead, your focus is on places like BP where less-experienced folks come as they want to put their money earned with blood sweat and tears to good use.