I bought this property with a private interest free loan from a friend. the person i bought it from need cash fast so i offered them a low cash offer and they accepted.I had enough money saved up to rehab the house with my savings.

A hybrid approach could also work—perhaps using a HELOC for reserves while saving the stock portfolio and 401k loan as backup options for future opportunities.

For me, weekly check-ins and just being real with my team—like saying, “Hey, I’m not sure, let me check on that”—have saved so many situations.

to your point, if you save up so that you're in a strong financial position, house hack a solid duplex in a decent neighborhood, make smart decisions, and hold it indefinitely, you'll be fine.conversely, if you have $0 and somehow start out with a risky flip, or borrow $20K and spend it all on a magic mentoring program, or buy a terrible property in a neighborhood you've never been to, you may not be fine.

Save your time/money move on.

You should jump into the weeds as long as you have a few exit strategies, know the market, have a stable 9-5, and emergency savings.

Since she was a first time homebuyer we were able to save her 1% off her interest rate!

Do you have a current need for that cash flow generated from the tax savings?

As a student without W2 income, you may need to show alternative income sources like savings, freelance work, or a job offer.

Not having them can create issues when selling later.Over-improving for the Neighborhood – Be mindful of your area’s home values so you don’t invest more than you can recoup.Ignoring Structural & Mechanical Issues – While cosmetic updates are fun, addressing foundation, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems first will save headaches down the road.For the best return on investment, focus on:Kitchen & Bathrooms – These are the biggest value-adds for a home.