I pay them off as soon as they pop up on my report.

You are going to need some reserves, things are going to pop up.I'd create a worst case scenario, best case scenario, and middle of the road budget/forecast of cash flow.  

Not sure how different things are in CT vs NC, but I just had this issue pop up here in Leland, just outside of Wilmington. 

Remember to quote or tag users (by typing the @ symbol and the person's name after, it takes a few second but the person should pop up for you to click them and create a hyperlink) that you're replying to so they see your message.Definitely take advantage of traditional lenders while you can and rates are low.

With the exception of a power wash, I'm not doing much to the siding to really make the house pop.

Location for retail is critical.If you have a mid line center between commercial nodes it will be harder to rent at lower rent per sq ft with mostly mom and pop tenants.

Below numbers are rough based on speaking with my real estate agent.My Situation: I do not have enough DTI available to buy the neighbor's house nor fund the construction phases for Option 1.Option #1:Short Description: Buy the neighbor's house and pop the top and dig the basement out and sell each as separate units.Issues: Funding to buy the neighbors house/popping the top/digging out the basementRough Numbers: My house 370k, neighbor's house 350k-450k, Pop Top on both 125k-160k, Dig both basements 80k-100k, Finishes - 50k-100K    Total Cost - Roughly 1,150,000 Potential Reward: Selling each unit around 750k-900k Total - 1.5M-1.8M Option #2:Short Description: Ask the neighbor how much they are willing to sell their half and wholesale their half and my half to an investor.Issues: Finding out what the neighbors are willing to sell.

Deanna you obviously do not operate as a mom and pop landlord.Mom and Pop owners do not want to identify themselves because they are afraid of the responsibility.

I definitely have seen a few pop up in rare occasions, but they are rapidly snatched by all cash investors.

Fate would have it that an old post of yours popped today with my "Atlanta" keyword.