i tell them all the time to find a good W2 job you like and you plan on staying with a long time. 

Run the comps, calculate repair costs, and plan multiple exit strategies so you maximize every deal—whether that’s wholesaling, flipping, or holding for cash flow.

., 10-year interest-only options), and non-recourse structures.Competitive Rates: Recent transactions show rates ranging from 2.69% to 4.65% depending on LTV (55%–80%) and property type.Lender Specialization: Some lenders excel in specific areas:Greystone and Walker & Dunlop lead in Fannie/Freddie volume and large-scale refinancing.Arbor Realty Trust is praised for smaller-balance loans and flexibility.CREFCOA offers streamlined refinancing with 45–60 day closings and cash-out up to 80% LTV.HUD 223(f) loans provide 35-year fixed terms, ideal for stabilized properties.Questions for the Community:Have you worked with lenders like Greystone, Arbor, or Freddie Mac?

If you plan on living there, I would pick the place you want to live, then start investing.  

Use this meeting to gather their perspective on the property and understand their goals before making any offers.Keep It Informal Initially: Avoid jumping straight into specifics about pricing or terms.

Compare this to other hard money lenders to ensure you’re getting a competitive deal.Reputation: Before working with any lender, it’s crucial to check reviews, reach out to other investors who’ve used them, and potentially even meet with them in person.Experience with BRRRR: If possible, find out if they have experience funding BRRRR projects specifically.

Did USAA give you a specific list of renovations they want done?

Insurance is a lot trickier and somewhat state specific.  

A revocable trust offers excellent estate planning benefits but provides limited liability protection and no tax advantages, while irrevocable trusts provide stronger protection but less flexibility.

, clear laminated instructions inside the unit, etc.Also very important to consider scale--if you are planning to have several STR's in the same area, then it's wise for you to invest time now to build your team there and manage the place without a co-host.