We dealt with rentals, flips, commercial, small apartment complex developments (~10 apartments), sport facilities, and a few government contracts.We are actually very open to different opportunities and investment approaches, but our plan was to start "smaller" with some cash deals in NJ (maybe somewhere in the area between Staten Island and Philadelphia, but staying in NJ), by flipping a few smaller properties and starting to generate some income.

This required previous rental property ownership history and a personal balance sheet the bank used to underwrite their risk.Due to these barriers to entry, I have been exploring a zoning change from B1-1 to RM 4.5 thinking the change will open up the pool of potential buyers with the ease of residential financing.

You do not want your rental properties taxed at a corporate rate. 

haha focus on improving the overall stay in things that matter most for your rental, but yes, have enough TP for gods sake...or put in a bidet! 

The tenants power was shut off for non-payment and I need to put the account back in my name.Recently my HOA sent me photos of my rental townhome with a gas generator running in the yard and the electric meter missing and shorted out.

However, be aware that this might complicate things with the rehab and if you intend to claim tax benefits associated with rental properties.

The perfect mix was luxury glamping that I could invest in for short term rental use.How did you find this deal and how did you negotiate it?

In October of last year I moved out of my home of 15 years in Austin and converted it into a rental property.I originally paid $143k for the home, it's worth roughly $368k today. 

Other than cap rate and cash flow, what other metrics/calculations do investors use to determine whether or not a property would make a good rental?

I really want to start with flipping and then make my way to actual rentals, preferably in the Northern Eastern states.What’s your next move after this one?