Ironically, platforms designed for real estate (Zillow, Apartments.com, Rentler, etc.) produce very few tenants for me, compared to FB Marketplace (and I also find a lot of their functionality to be user un-friendly, from the landlord side). ...you'd think that platforms custom-made for real estate would make the process a snap for landlords, but it takes me a lot longer to post and manage rental listings on Zillow or Rentler than it did on Craigslist.

Better materials such as stronger  lumber were used when the earlier vintage properties were built and many  contained design characteristics such as stone or brick work and intricate millwork that are too costly to replicate today meaning many buildings are significantly below todays replacement cost. 

My biggest piece of advice is to learn to "get comfortable being uncomfortable"!

For tenants, we want to create a stable and comforting home so we only work with owners who are willing to invest in the property and make a true home for the tenants.

If it's tight or you're uncomfortable with the tenant you have in there from a confidence perspective, especially if this is a first deal, maybe meet in the middle and get a lender at 75% or 77% (doesn't HAVE to be at 5% increments) that wont make you season, and leave a bit more money in the deal, but sleep better.Overall, if I cash flow well, have/keep reserves, and am comfortable I fixed everything in the house, I like to max out the LTV on refi.

If accurate then the SEC rules are designed to prevent unsophisticated investors from getting into this exact situation.

It depends on what you are comfortable doing. 

For me personally, I consider it a B neighborhood because it's walking distance to so many amenities, and I felt mostly safe raising my family there, but not everyone is comfortable living in a developing area.Last year (2024), we moved out of the home and converted it into a rental.

Although I've stressed the importance of reserves, he is comfortable with his system.

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