You might get transferred a couple times until you reach the right person.

However, a common benchmark is aiming for at least 6-8% cash-on-cash return based on your total investment (purchase price + rehab + closing costs).Always factor in appreciation potential, tax benefits, and personal risk tolerance.

For my personal portfolio I use a modified spreadsheet amortization by VERTEX, available in Google Docs.  

I’d also love any advice on avoiding common pitfalls and how to build a strong foundation in real estate investing.If there are any resources, local groups, or even personal experiences you can share, I’d be grateful.

Connect with a housing coordinator if that position is available in your area and stay in contact with that person. 

I have been around this personally for years  I was a vendor at Armando Montalongos how to flip houses seminars  a little bit with Rich dad  and lastly with Nick Vertucci's program.. 

Quote from @Melanie Baldridge: In 2025 the bonus depreciation rate is 40%.This means that if you bought a property for $1M in 2025, did a cost seg study and found $300K in eligible assets that you could depreciate, you could take 40% of that $300K as bonus depreciation to offset your income in the first year.40% of $300K = $120K.You then apply that $120K to the owner’s personal tax rate to find the final amount that they can defer in year 1.If your tax rate is 37%, you can defer $66.6K.This is a big deal even at the 40% bonus depreciation rate this year.It’s a massive benefit 

Quote from @Leonard La Rocca III: So is it common to find a conventional loan without meeting the lender in-person?

Your realtor should be the backbone of your business and be able to help with sending you personalized deal flow, building the rest of your real estate team (PMs, GCs, lenders, etc), showing you the good/bad neighborhoods, developing scope of work and estimating renovations, and so much more!

When you design with that in mind—an outdoor dining table on the deck to enjoy stunning views over dinner, a decked-out game room for in-house entertainment since they’ll be tucked away in the mountains, cozy nooks for reading or morning coffee, and a fire pit for late-night conversations under the stars—it enhances that experience and makes your property stand out.At the end of the day, people book based on how a space makes them feel, not just because it has a bed.