For example we replaced a water heater recently.

I have warned countless people that the "new", "Cheapest", and "shaking up the insurance market" carriers typically come into the market under priced, have a wave of claims, then they either jack up premiums to survive or fire their staff to keep heads above water.

I just don't want to buy that close to the water due to flooding concerns.  

Utilities are OFTEN overlooked so reach out to power, telecom, gas (or go all electric), water, and sewer to make sure you understand what it would take to get separately metered services from the primary house.

Even if I have to lower the rate by $200 to find the right tenant, I am still ahead of the game by a C-note by year's end.Just my 2 cents, I hope you have already found a tenant for your home by the time this post drops!  

Great people, intuitive platform, get their K1s out on time and returns have met expectations...one of the reasons I am invested in two funds at this point as the first investment was really to test the waters and validate I was a good fit.  

The Fed raised rates and dropped the values of those T-Bills.

There is no additional "risk" on the note like a demand clause etc, but you have  extra expense in upfront one time costs and the pre-payment penalty that most programs are sold with if rates do drop as expected in the future.  

In the Houston and Katy markets, prioritize cash-flowing properties that can withstand current high interest rates, and plan to scale by reinvesting cash flow or refinancing when rates drop.

We bought our first rental in dec 2023, this was to test the waters of being a landlord in the US.