This was my first deal, and house hacking made the most sense because it lowered the threshold for risk in my mind.

that we’ve learned in our 24 years, managing almost 700 doors across the Metro Detroit area, including almost 100 S8 leases:Class A Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, 3-5 years for positive cashflow, but you get highest relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% the more recent norm.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 680+ (roughly 5% probability of default), zero evictions in last 7 years.Class B Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, decent amount of relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% should be applied only if proper research done to support.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 620-680 (around 10% probability of default), some blemishes, but should have no evictions in last 5 yearsClass C Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, high cashflow and at the lower end of relative rent & value appreciation.

When they do, you can refinance to a lower rate.Dealing with current high interest rates (about 7% on 01/27/2025) you have the following choices:A larger down paymentAccept a negative cash flowBuy down the interest rateCombine and balance all three to get an acceptable cash flow today.

As more people placed more properties in STR inventory, and as more municipalities taxed and regulated the industry, the profitability of the overall industry has reverted to a much more aligned (lower) risk adjusted return.  

Don't go for the cheapest (unless the price is lower because it is on sale), but also don't go for the most expensive. 

There are significant advantages to investing here (lower barrier to entry, much better price to rent ratio's, etc. etc.).

Since you mentioned REI Hub, I worked with REI Hub in the past and they had the same connection issues but their CEO is usually good about making quick updates to create a better user experience.That being said, there is no perfect solution out there regarding bank feed connections so I'd go with one you know and ensure the accounts are linked on a weekly basis to be confident every transaction is flowing through without interruptions.

When I was in your exact situation looking for help, they were the only ones that provided solid answers and walked my wife and I through the full transaction.

All else being equal, lower mortgage rates reduce the cost of ownership and, thereby, allow more people to afford to buy.

:Class A Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, 3-5 years for positive cashflow, but you get highest relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% the more recent norm.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 680+ (roughly 5% probability of default), zero evictions in last 7 years.Class B Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, decent amount of relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% should be applied only if proper research done to support.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 620-680 (around 10% probability of default), some blemishes, but should have no evictions in last 5 yearsClass C Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, high cashflow and at the lower end of relative rent & value appreciation.