It's just about having the right team in place where you can identify them and get offers submitted quickly and solid contractors that can give you realistic quotes so your financial forecasts are accurate. 

Not all investors share the same goal.If it's strictly positive cash flow, you're going to have a tough time meeting that goal while living in one of the units these days in Belmont Shore.Under the current economic decisions, if you're going to live in one of the units, a more realistic goal might be to subsidize your mortgage with the other two incomes to bring your mortgage payment down, build equity, ride the market appreciation, force some appreciation of your own, refinance when rates are in your favor to crush the mortgage payment down, and keep positive cash flow for a long-term goal.Belmont Shore is a nice area where homes hold their value well and enjoy good appreciation as well as strong rents and in general, the type of renters landlords are looking for.Belmont Shore is also a good area for short-term rentals and you may want to consider renting one unit as an LTR and the other as an STR.Ultimately, your situation is going to dictate whether this triplex is a good investment for you and your husband but as a Long Beach resident, I know that Belmont Shore is an area that people aspire to buy a home in.

I’ve done dozens of 1031 exchanges over my 46 year career in the RE industry - both for myself and for my investor clients.The main advise I would give is as follows:Be realistic about your buy options and the market value of these options.

It also still ultimately doesn't change the fact that the list price is only higher because the commission is included in it and the buyer is realistically paying for it (over 30 years) anyhow although it reflects on the sellers side of the CD.

Especially post covid with all the supply chain issues that followed.  4-6 months is a much more realistic timeline and if the builder is off any worth you might have to get in line.  4-6 months is assuming you have closed on the property, permits are in place, a contract is signed, and the weather allows me to start today.  

I think realistically everyone here is right that if they don’t pay the deposit they need to go but based on your follow up post I’m not sure that’s the route I would take.  

Leveraging the insights of seasoned members can help you develop a realistic plan tailored to the region.

They will tell you if your criteria is realistic.

Both have realistic expectations and set investors up for success. 

Check local rental listings to get a realistic sense of rental rates and vacancy rates.