Hi David, you need a discounted propety, have you tried hyper focusing on off-market properties in your desired area.  

Diversification Beyond the Stock Market: Real estate provides tangible, real-world value that helps hedge against market volatility—a crucial feature when building a resilient retirement portfolio.

Start by getting familiar with your local market.

Explicitly tell them what you're paying for it so you can get the exact number.Also, we do a 25% property tax relief in SC under the ATI bill - so if you fill out that form, you will get a reduction for 5 years.Info below:ATI Real Property Tax ExemptionSouth Carolina law now allows a partial exemption from taxation of up to 25% of an “ATI fair market value” that is the result of anAssessable Transfer of Interest.

Recently a duplex came on the market that I am really interested in, it is located in an A neighborhood.

In the market where I live (San Diego), appreciation has been strong and many predict it will continue to appreciate in the long term.However, with current interest rates (6% at best) and property tax (2%), the annual cost burden is 8%.Am I correct in saying that appreciation has to be above 8% annually (plus whatever my maintenance and vacancy costs are) for me to make any money in this scenario if the property is cash flow neutral?

I have been in the STR market for the last 13 years.

Build - rent - refinance -repeat. in columbus ohio you are buying old houses that are 1900 or 1920 or 1940 and you are in a sellers market. on the other hand you can source land which is a buyers market and build single family homes or duplex or triplexes that will return by renting and pulling cash out on a DSCR loan and doing it again. there aren't a lot of strategies that do this. flipping is different. so many risks. but when someone has a well oiled machine it's all good and less risk.

Return:Finishing the basement and adding bedrooms can add significant value, especially if your local market places a premium on additional living space.

He was a realtor based in the Midwest (I think the greater Chicago area) and was talking about off vs. on market deals and the importance of choosing equity over cash flow.