Some of the materials we choose and asked him to pick up (such as flooring) he replaced with low quality materials, I assume to keep more of our money for himself. 

For flips, calculate the after-repair value (ARV) and subtract purchase, rehab, holding, and selling costs.Pay attention to location, rental demand, and the property’s condition.

@Polat CaglayanI've never seen a formula but here is a general rule of thumb for multifamily:The class of an apartment refers to the quality of the building, which can be determined by a number of factors, including age, location, and condition: Class A: These are the highest quality apartments, typically built within the last 15 years.

It seems to me that they all whether paid of free, will all have the same exact amount of houses because all the transactions are all public and so they seem to compete with each other based on the quality of the data of the houses, how up to date it is, and the user experience in configuring the how the layout is.

I would suggest getting another full-time job for the time being and investing/doing STR on the side until you can fully and comfortably replace the income that you would be receiving from your job.Is your LTR in need of repair?

Roof repairs, broken this, broken that.

@Nick HulmeMaking improvements to your primary to make it high quality enough to rent above market rents, rent it.

Besides that, I have a credit repair and funding company that helps entrepreneurs get their businesses going.

Hey Christine, I might be biased, but you could look into Cleveland, Oh.Here are a few things to consider against investing there:- Slower appreciation compared to some other markets- Harsh winters, which can lead to higher maintenance costs- Many discounted single and duplex might need repairs or updates, especially if the previous owners haven’t kept up with maintenance over the years- Some local regulations to be aware of (nothing crazy, but worth noting when trying to close deals).But there are also some solid reasons to invest in Cleveland:- Affordable properties in the $100K-$300K range- Strong long term rental market due to a high rent to price ratio- Landlord friendly laws overall- Potential for great cash flow- Opportunities for Section 8 tenants- stable market once you have the right team in placeEvery market has pros and cons so it comes down to your budget, risk tolerance, and finding a reliable crew you can trust.

Renting at FMV allows you to deduct mortgage interest, property taxes, repairs, HOA fees, and depreciation against your W-2 income, potentially reducing your overall tax liability.