Population decline has slowed, and key neighborhoods are seeing real growth.

Tenant shall be charged $[amount] to cover the cost of this force-placed insurance.The other lesson is that you should never hand over keys until you have proof the Tenant has met all requirements.

When we moved, we turned it into a rental, hoping this would be the start of our real estate journey—something we’d like to continue once my husband retires.Some key details:My husband is active duty and will retire in 3 years.We have one final move coming up this summer to Raleigh, NC.Our current debts are crippling us—the high interest makes it tough to stay afloat every month.The plan I proposed to my husband:Sell the rental property.Use the proceeds to pay off all our debts, set aside emergency funds and a down payment for our next home.Free up $1,500/month from debt payments, and that also can stash in a high-yield savings account.Regain full VA loan entitlement, allowing us to purchase a multifamily home and use the house hacking strategy for up coming move.Avoid capital gains tax, since April marks five years of ownership, and the tenant’s lease ends in May.This wasn’t our original plan, and we hate the idea of using our equity to pay off debt.

Let me know if you need help sourcing deals around Atlanta :) I will make sure to thoroughly check the tenants. 

Here are a few thoughts on what makes for a successful cold calling VA program:• Rigorous Screening & Training:Ensuring VAs have a solid understanding of your target market and messaging is key.

Buying a turn key rental, in an area you know or knew well, with a property manager you've met and trust, in an area that is large enough for you to have other options to find contractors and property managers? 

Platforms like Taskrabbit.com offer skilled professionals who can assist with setup, assembly, and various tasks to get your space ready.Cleaner and handyman are key to keeping things running seamlessly, so it's crucial to have them in place before you begin.

Your emphasis on proper property management is a key takeaway, and I’m committed to educating myself in areas like tenant screening, lease enforcement, and proactive problem-solving.

Here are the key points:- First-time homebuyer: You qualify if you (and your spouse, if applicable) haven’t owned a home in the past two years.- Lifetime limit: The $10,000 is a lifetime limit, meaning you can only use it once for this purpose.- Taxes: While the 10% penalty is waived, the withdrawn amount will still be subject to regular income taxes.This can be a useful way to access funds for a home purchase, but keep in mind the tax implications and the potential impact on your retirement savings.

. :)This is especially true if you rely on furnishedfinder.com as your primary lead source (which you shouldn't, but that's another post) as when you make that connection with a prospective resident, you are selling yourself as a landlord as much as you are the property as a place to live.