I recently purchased a duplex in Columbus and discovered after closing that the former owner had an estoppel in place with one of the existing tenants.

, I’m looking into doing a HELOC on my current owner-occupied duplex (live in one side) to help fund a down payment on another duplex.

Getting it in or out almost always results in a taxable event, and when an owner passes away, the beneficiaries would receive a step up in *stock value*, not a step up in the assets within the corporation.

They auto list on all major rental sites, they provide tenant screening, payments online, communication via the software, insurance, etc.

@Grace SantosOn Tuesday May 14th we're hosting a meetup in LA which will feature a guest speaker, CPA Edward Markaryan, who will be going over Tax Strategies for Short Term Rental owners.

IF possible talk with other owners about what is going on. 

Owner-occupants often get lower down payment options and better rates.As far as whether to take or utilize a HELOC for the acquisition my advice is a firm NO. 

The first result was a thread from this site and I was floored at the amount of information I learned!

Furthermore, understanding the resident characteristics allows me to measure the target market and modify my investment strategy accordingly.Inspection ChecklistSituations vary from one property to the next, but here is an on-site inspection checklist to get you started:Interior Units:Inspect vacant units, including one of each finish out type (Classic, Reno, etc.).Check all down units.Inspect one unit from each unit mix.Exteriors:Landscape:Look for overgrown bushes.Identify trees that need trimming (no branches hanging over the roof).Take pictures of the following:Curb appeal on all sides facing the street.Landscape around the office and amenities.Overgrown bushes or trees.Any dead landscape.Areas that may need sod or mulch.Assess drainage:Ensure water flows away from building foundations.Check slope, gutters, downspouts, surface drains, French drains, etc.Exterior Walls:Determine the existing material (wood, vinyl, Hardie, brick, stone).Assess the condition of the walls.Note if painting is required.Take pictures of each building, including building number, each elevation (clockwise), and any breezeways or niches.Windows:Evaluate the condition of existing windows.Consider whether solar screens should be installed.Roof:Identify the type of roof.Assess its condition and age.Parking Lot:Check for potholes.Assess the need for restriping.Note whether the parking lot is concrete or asphalt.Evaluate drainage issues.Walkway:Look for tripping hazards.Assess drainage issues.Foundation/Gutters:Inspect for cracks in the brick.Check for separation in corners from fascia and trim boards.Evaluate drainage and identify poor drainage areas.Amenities:Identify possible improvements.Consider adjustments or additions that can enhance amenities.Talk to the Staff:Maintenance: Inquire about the physical condition.Office: Discuss current residents, delinquency, and potential changes to add value.Assess whether rents are too high or too low.Confirm rents and what is included/not included.Confirm other sources of income and associated charges.Confirm occupancy, pre-release, and vacancy numbers.Note: Maintain professionalism and avoid insulting the owner or broker, regardless of the property's condition.Keep in mind that investing in real estate is like solving a puzzle—you need all the pieces to see the big picture.

Great company and local operation that does things right.Toledo is notorious for bad operators especially when it comes to contractors so the BRRR approach when investing out of state can end up in disaster.Just had a 1hr call with an investor that was going to purchase a property for cash and site unseen.A "reputable" realtor in town influenced him to buy without doing an inspection.Just by looking at the photo's, we could see a lot of problems with the property.Stay diligent and focus more on the people rather then the deals themselves.Much success