What worked for me was focusing on building strategic relationships with top tier people (quality partners) who could complement what I brought to the table—sales, management, and execution.When you are approaching sellers for creative financing, leading with a clear value proposition (and CONFIDENTLY) is key.

There's always more to learn and building a network is essential to growth and success. 

You can build a deck around them as well - or not. 

However, the road block I face is getting to a point where I think it’s an “ok” deal (meaning it’s not fulfilling the 1% rule, but more like 0.75% and little to no immediate renovation cost/typically a new build townhome) and then I start to question whether I could find a BETTER deal if I just keep looking.

@Chloe SalcedoStarting your real estate journey at 23 is an incredible opportunity to build a strong foundation for your future.

And your net worth will thank you.If you still want to go ahead, you'd be better off buying a house than an apartment because, while the value of the building itself will go to 0, you'll still have the value of the land, bearing in mind that the land might actually lose value too given the depopulation and the yen depreciation.Sorry if I'm pooping a party but make sure you understand what you're getting into (which you're already doing by asking the forum) and then make the decision that's right for you according to your objectives.

That's why most apartment buildings include water in the rent.

Wondering if you have advice on me just being the bank, where I purchase a house and structure a rent to own with him and have him build up a 30% cash down payment and some equity and then me sell the house to him at a locked in price.  

In one building the tenants accumulated so much junk over the course of their tenancy that I was forced to get a 40’ roll off dumpster to get it emptied for a sale.

Just a update, i bought a new build SFH in Rancho Cordava for 560K and rented out for $2900.