You are right about the risk that comes with the holding period but in my opinion sometimes you have to take the risk and make sure the profit that you generate is higher than the costs that you paid by holding the deal for a specific amount of time.

Most who make $500k don't have nearly enough dry powder on the sideline to scale a real estate business quickly enough without making huge personal sacrifices for an extended period of time.

The definition of “livable” or “finished” space can be surprisingly specific.In many markets, including here in Arizona, appraisers and agents generally want the space to be finished in a manner consistant with the rest of the home and serviced by a more permanent heating and cooling source.

So if I am looking at an asset as a 10 year play - I look more at the location, schools and how has this market performed in the past excluding covid and 2008 which were extenuating circumstances.Reality is right now shorter term plays do not work based on numbers and cost of financing - we went through this same thing in 2001-2004ish timeframe where properties would appreciate 2-3% per year and after buying costs and closing costs - you were not making money on assets unless you performed the labor or found a really good deal.this is how real estate "typically" is - which is why everyone always says location location location - because after a decent holding period, you will win.

It would be a second mortgage that I wouldn't be able to use as an investment property for a certain period of time.

For 10 years, every arriving party in my STR finds 1) a fresh bowl of fruit, 2) a local city magazine and a weekly periodical and 3) 2 bottles of wine (1 white, 1 red, 1st bottle is complimentary, envelope to pay for 2nd bottle).No great expense, but "wows" the guests every time. 

We just closed in late Dec so the financials are a work in progress but we’re projecting and tracking closely to a 55% expense ratio and should have about 11% CoC in year one through the renovation period as we get more renovated units online. 

Have a great rest of 2024 and than you for your help.

You don't need to know everything to get started; you need a foundation to build on, and the rest will come through experience and then refining your education.You can build a basic understanding of investing in 3-6 months.

@Dmitriy Fomichenko scratch the part about being taxed at the capital gains rate, you’re right that it is taxed at income levels, however the rest stands.