It's crucial to evaluate how the deal performs with the new mortgage:Updated Financials After Refinancing: Market Value: $459,000 Mortgage Amount (80% LTV): $367,200 Equity: $91,800 Interest Rate: 5% (30-Year Amortization) Assuming after 12months the rate will drop to 5%Monthly Expenses: Mortgage Payment (5% Interest): $1,971 (Now you are paying interest and principals) Property Tax: $260 (assuming has been increased with a 4% from last year) Utilities: $361 Insurance: $104 (+4% Adjustment) Vacancy: $166 (now after 12 months we can assume we have some vacancy at 5% factor on annual rent) Repairs & Maintenance: $166 (now after 12 months we can assume we have repairs at 5% factor on annual rent) Total Monthly Expenses: $3,028Rent Income after 12 months assuming annual rent increase at 5% : $3,323Cash Flow: $295$ per month 😊Long-Term Gains: $5,418 Principal Paydown year 2 (this will increase each as you pay off your mortgage $36,720 Property Appreciation (assuming 8% per year) $3,540 Cash Flow (this will increase as rents rise)Total Annual Return on Investment: $45,678 with just $ $22,789 remaining in the deal.

.- Selling could yield $400-$600k, mostly tax-free, if sold by spring 2025 while within the 2 of 5-year capital gains exemption.Options:1.)

Rent out to roommates so I employ the "rent by the room" essentially.Pros:insane cash flowif your room offer is much better value than other places to live, tenants will stay awhilea small community can be built when your tenants become friends with eachothernever ending supply of tenants (at least in my area)Cons:CAN BE management intensiveWILL BE management intensive until you gain experience and know how to manageIf you employ this strategy, the BIGGEST risk/liability mitigator is being VERY clear from the start about your expectations and that you will evict if new tenant doesn't follow your rules.With my setup - I furnish the rooms and have all utilities covered. 

I might also consider if i could turn the garage into a rental, or into an apartment for me, while renting the other place so that I'd still be on the property at least until I gained confidence in the tenant.

probably a dumb question but do you pay tax on the gain.. 

Hi Scott, consider USFR for zero risk cash, earns 5.4% holding 8 week Floating rate note US treasuriesor for mild risk cash, consider BKN - BlackRock's Muni fund, earns 5.6% tax free, which for you would be >9% tax-equivalent yield, and if rates fall, the BKN etf will rise considerably, which though will be capital gains taxable :(, It holds intermediate term Municipals that are all GO, general obligation, so they can always tax us dumb schmuck citizens to pay off the notes instead of defaulting, so low risk but not zero risk for cash. ie (Orange county '90s)Inflation has already resolved, the 3 month trailing core PCE is at 1.5%, well below FEDs 2% target, so they will likely start cutting soon as the 12 month trail falls in line, that's why Powell changed his verbiage so much last Wednesday, and FOMC minutes speak of 150 bp cuts before the end of December as their expectation per their Dot Plots, the only question remaining is consumer spending,(>60% US economy), if falling like McDonalds/Starbucks/Uber saying then unemployment will accelerate and then possible recession, then 10yr yield falls even more, and bonds values would rise like Mike just said above.

The plan aims to reduce living costs, gain landlord experience, and move closer to long-term financial goals.Good luck!

I am not afraid of the answer keep saving and I’m truly interested in any advice I can gain from everyone here!  

It has gained a lot of interest from millennials and Gen Z in the last few years in particular.

What is not known is how much time and effort you spend to run this business as if you take the $85k and minus salary(ies) to run it, then what would it net gain you?