On buy-and holds we usually replace all the plumbing with pex, no matter what, because galvanized has a life expectation of about 60 years, so I usually take the sooner than later approach.Stick with hard money, like Mach1 or or MKE hard money (Scott Lurie) as they will not leand on a deal that does not pencil out, so you have the added benefit of someone experienced looking over your numbers.

You must work at least 750 hours per year in a qualified RE business.So most people who have high-earning W-2 jobs outside of real estate won't qualify.But the unique thing about RE pro status is that even if you don’t qualify but your spouse does, you can both file jointly and claim the losses from your RE investments to offset your other active income together.It's an incredibly powerful benefit if you do meet the criteria.

It’s not an area that you can say this zip code or this neighborhood is good or bad.

This setup alone feels like a solid foundation for financial freedom.Here’s my dilemma:While I understand that my mortgage interest rate is very low (2.8%) and there are tax benefits to carrying the debt, I’m wondering if it might make more sense to aggressively pay off the loan.

You might not cash flow right away, but even just offsetting what you were paying in rent while building equity, getting tax benefits, and learning how to be a landlord is a game changer.

OKC has alot of opportunity mainly because of its low level of enforcement of housing codes, strong landlord laws and conservative judges in eviction court.

With a lot more benefits.

HELOC Basics:A revolving credit line secured by your home’s equityLow interest rates, but often variableDraw period (5-10 years) → Repayment period (10-20 years)✅ Pros: Lower interest than other loans, flexible access to funds, potential tax benefits⚠ Cons: Home is collateral, payments may increase, short repayment termWhen It Makes Sense:The rental property cash flows enough to cover HELOC paymentsYou borrow conservatively (avoid over-leveraging)You have a backup plan in case of market shiftsSafer Alternatives:Save a larger down paymentConsider seller financingPartner with another investorFinal ThoughtsWith your timeline set for November 2025, take time to research markets, build connections, and plan financing wisely.📌 Key Takeaways:Out-of-state investing can work but requires a solid local team.Use online tools like BiggerPockets, Rentometer, and Roofstock for analysis.A HELOC can help, but be mindful of risks and repayment terms.

There's an opportunity here for leadership (and some faster, easier to implement coding fixes while they work on long-term solutions).

If not try a keyless entry situation that allows you add a temp code that will expire after the work is completed.