Digging into off-market opportunities, networking with wholesalers, and building relationships with motivated sellers can put you ahead of the competition.🔹 Creative Financing – Traditional loans don’t always work for distressed properties.

I purchased my first rental property a month ago and I’ve learned more about real estate and home building in that one month than the rest of my life combined.

78 Endicott St, Peabody – A 4-unit property with all 2BR/1BA layouts and off-street parking in a prime location near Route 128, the commuter rail, and Salem—just a 30-minute drive to Boston.Investment Breakdown:Purchase Price: $900K20% Down Payment @ 7% Interest: $180K → P&I = $4,790/monthRenovation Estimate: $200K ($50K/unit) → Total investment: $340KOperating Expenses: ~$18K/year (taxes & insurance)Stabilized Rents: $2,300/unit (market comps)Cash-on-Cash Return: 9% when stabilizedThis deal checks a lot of boxes:Max units for residential financing – You could live here & house hackCosmetic rehab potential – Flooring, cabinets, counters, appliances, paint (~$50K/unit)Strong long-term ROI – Factoring in principal paydown + 2% appreciation, a 5-year stabilized ROI of ~75%Pre-pandemic, these deals were more common closer to the city, but now we’re looking slightly further out—yet they still work as wealth-building assets.

You are doing the right thing to build relationships first! 

Keep in mind that only the "building basis" can be segregated and will benefit from accelerated depreciation.

I've seen estimates of $200 to $400 per square foot for SoCal with $700 sq ft for something higher end and building up a hill and but possibly higher for San Francisco Bay Area (lhigher labor costs, etc.).  

The building has some deferred maintenance that I have been dealing with.

Build equity while gaining experience as landlords.

Quote from @Laura Yelin: Hello BP'sI like Sherman...I lived there for about 3 years many years ago and still sell and rent there.It's a slow wealth building market in my opinion, not get rich quick.Mostly blue collar stable town.

Cincinnati and Columbus chapters are very active here and nationally and a great resource for networking, recommended contractors/vendors and education.