Success often comes from picking properties with strong chances for rent income or those that can be improved in value.

Most fields to become world class at something take 5 to 10 years of consistent work and improvement on a daily basis.Today about 21 years in with commercial real estate I have tons of business and also properties I can purchase.

How much have you over-improved the property?

Moving to a portfolio model—where a pod (1 PM + 2 VAs) manages all aspects of 200+ units—streamlined operations and improved accountability.

Unfortunately many of the improvement costs do not deviate greatly when you’re renovating a lower cost property  in a particular market compared to a more expensive property  in the very same market which makes it difficult to absorb the improvement costs in some areas.

The short answer is I look for 9% min and try to press it to 11% with those strategies along with rental increases once improvements are made and the tenants know you actually care about the property.

We've lived in over 10 homes while raising our 3 children that we improved and sold.

I am still very active in my local market as a host of the WWL Home Improvement each weekend.

I am optimistic that things might improve with this change, but I would not pay again just to find out.

Clarity shows commitment and improves your chances of obtaining funding, whichever property you choose.