Purchased for $69,000, it needed a full rehab, including a new roof, plumbing, and modern updates inside and out.

Purchased for $69,000, I tackled everything from a new roof to interior updates, transforming it into a move-in-ready home.After months of surprises (and a few headaches), I sold the property for $145,000.

Just make sure you keep enough in an emergency fund in case a roof or furnace goes out. 

., new roofing, foundation repairs)-Cosmetic Enhancements (e.g., new flooring, updated bathroom/kitchen fixtures)-Energy Efficiency Upgrades (e.g., solar panels)-Accessibility Modifications (e.g., ramps, widened doorways)-Luxury Items (e.g., pool)-LandscapingNot Acceptable Renovations:-Commercial Use (e.g., turning a residential property into a commercial property)-Temporary Structures-Non-Residential Buildings (e.g., barns, stables)FHA 203(k)Minimum Down Payment: 3.5%Minimum Credit Score: 620Minimum Loan Amount: $50,000Maximum Loan Amount: $524,225Occupancy Types: Primary Residence ONLYUnit Maximum: 4 UnitsAcceptable Renovations:-Structural Improvements/Reconstruction (e.g., adding rooms, bathrooms)-Cosmetic Enhancements-Eliminate Health and Safety Hazards-Energy Efficiency Improvements-Major Landscaping (e.g., grading, tree removal, adding walkways)Non-Acceptable Renovations:-Luxury Items-Commercial Use-Temporary Structures-Non-Residential BuildingsBoth of these renovation loans are similar in many ways, but the key differences are:1.

Got insurance involved and use that money to remodel the entire inside, and add a new roof.

Target ReturnsWhile target returns are crucial, these should be discussed only with investors—not brokers or others helping you find deals.Sample Investment CriteriaHere’s an example of well-defined CCC:Location: Primary and secondary cities in the Southeast with population growth.Type & Class: Class C garden-style or walk-up workforce housing with repositioning opportunities.Age: 1980s construction or newer (case-by-case for older).Price: $5M–$12M, requiring $1.5M–$3M in funds.Size: 100+ units.Cap Rates: Market rates.Roof Type: Pitched roofs preferred.Value-Add: Opportunities for improvements or better management.Why This MattersBy creating crystal clear criteria, you:Avoid wasting time on deals that don’t align with your goals.Build trust with brokers and partners by demonstrating a focused investment strategy.Increase your chances of finding deals that meet your financial and operational objectives.I'll be posting each chapter as I go through them so you can follow along from my notes and we can discuss different strategies.

From a leaky roof to a backyard jungle, it was a crash course in problem-solving and patience.I bought it for $145,000, powered through the chaos with a hard money loan, and sold it for $180,000.

Paying off the notes, working to pre-emptively make repairs to capex items before they fail or become a major issue think roof, HVAC, and foundation.

Slate roof or even Spanish tile.

Now, with those out of the way, you can worry about the roof, foundation, sewer, HVAC, pool, etc, because these don't matter at all if you can't get the property sold.8.