Their fees/rates are usually better and the service more personal.

Single-Family Home with a Basement:Pros:Familiar single-family living with potential rental income.Can be a good starter home, quieter living if the basement is well-soundproofed.Potentially lower initial investment compared to a duplex (depending on renovations).Cons:Finding tenants might take longer, especially if the basement isn't a fully formed apartment.You'll be responsible for all maintenance and repairs for both units.Less separation between your living space and the rental unit.Multifamily Duplex:Pros:Clear separation between your living space and the rental unit.Potentially higher rental income with a full, separate unit.Faster tenant search as it's a more traditional rental format.Cons:Might be slightly more expensive upfront than a single-family home with a converted basement.Potential for noise complaints if the duplex isn't well-built.Dealing with potentially two sets of tenants (though vacancy rates are typically lower with duplexes).So, which one to buy first?

Right now, I'm mostly a stay at home dad, but my dream is to start looking into that more seriously once my young kids are all school age in about 3 years, something that I can do to earn my family some additional income while maintaining flexibility to take care of the kids outside of school.

The long term rental will probably have the best interest rate and highest cash out amount if you are looking to do so.

Not shockingly, this happened when interest rates hiked up.

Colorado is a great place to house hack as you can get ridiculous rates for single room rentals.

I was able to secure an introductory HELOC rate of 2.99% for the first 12 months in Jan 2023. 

Research comparable properties in the area to gauge pricing, rental rates, vacancy rates, and demand.Property Insurance: Obtain quotes for property insurance to understand the potential costs and coverage options.Survey: Consider getting a property survey to confirm boundaries, easements, and encroachments.Due Diligence Contingencies: Include due diligence contingencies in your purchase agreement to allow time for inspections, assessments, and resolution of any issues uncovered during the process.Risk Assessment: Identify and assess potential risks associated with the property, such as market volatility, tenant turnover, maintenance costs, or regulatory changes.Exit Strategy: Develop a contingency plan or exit strategy in case the investment doesn't meet your expectations or unforeseen circumstances arise.By thoroughly conducting due diligence, you can minimize risks and make an informed decision about purchasing the property.

Hey everyone! I recently purchased my first property which happened to be a commercial property that has, among other things, a 2 bay automotive repair shop/inspection station. The current tenant has been there for ma...

Charge the tenants a higher rent rate and include utilities with their rent.