At a 7% annual return, this could grow to $908K after 10 years, providing immediate liquidity and diversification.Alternatively, holding the property could yield $825K net equity after taxes in 10 years, assuming a $900K sale, with the potential to defer taxes via a 1031 exchange if reinvested into another property.

The strategy I'm following for my first house hack is to acquire a multifamily property (duplex, triplex, quadplex) or SFH w/ an ADU (or potential for an ADU) as I am mainly looking to simultaneously acquire my first property and subsidize my mortgage payment.

What was the outcome?

If I pay it off, I could maximize cash flow earlier, reducing financial stress and allowing me to focus on other ventures or simply enjoy life more.On the other hand, I know some people advocate for keeping cheap debt and using the extra cash to invest elsewhere for potentially higher returns.Why I’m leaning toward paying it off:Security: No debt = peace of mind.Financial freedom earlier: A fully paid-off rental would give me a significant monthly cash flow?

Property Valuation:Investors look at a variety of factors to determine a property’s value, including comparable sales (comps), rental income potential, and location.

Home includes 2 lots so potential of building other home next to it someday.

Assuming:40 hours: W2 job56 hours: Sleep21 hours: Basic daily tasks= 51 hours potential REI time💡 Pro Tip: It's not about finding time; it's about allocating the time you have strategically.🎯 Your 6-Month Timeline:Month 1: Foundation (5-7 hours/week)Morning routine: 1 hour daily market researchEvening routine: Deal analysis practiceWeekend: BP forums & networkingKey Goal: Analyze 10 deals on paperMonth 2: Education (8-10 hours/week)Complete 1 RE courseJoin 2 local REI groupsSchedule lunch breaks with agentsKey Goal: Build your initial power team listMonth 3: Systems (10-12 hours/week)Set up deal tracking systemCreate document templatesEstablish banking relationshipsKey Goal: Ready to make offersMonth 4: Lead Generation (12-15 hours/week)Drive neighborhoods after workWeekend open housesSetup automated MLS alertsKey Goal: Generate first 5 qualified leadsNow, the Owners and Brokers you deal with may not enjoy this, but you can certainly "practice" making offers.  

Starting your real estate journey with a house hack in Austin is a smart move, especially with its strong rental demand and appreciation potential.

This allows for deferral of capital gains taxes until December 31, 2026, with potential reductions in the taxable amount if held long-term.

It was recently purchased in December 2024, which aligns with the timing she mentioned on the phone.However, despite all the communication being professional, I’ve had trouble finding additional information about their business online.I’m wondering if I’m being overly cautious, but I want to make sure everything is legitimate and avoid any potential scams.