The advantage is it’s very easy to get an idea of what people are about through their Facebook.

Easy to say, I realize. 

A properly cash flowing multi-family is itself a hedge against market turmoil or downturn.

Fees should be clearly stated, easy to understand, and justifiable.

I'm always an advocate of taking rents to market rate asap, especially in places where it is easy to rent out. 

I have written about this topic a lot, because its an often confusing and tiring conversation for most.The facts are easy thought;If you want to be hands on and very involved (i.e. reviewing paperwork, interviewing trades, selecting materials, etc) then you shouldn't hire a GC.

It's not easy to get a conventional or FHA loan on an REO.

Everyone's free to run their business the way they want but if you are screening tenants properly and have procedures in place to deal with problems, I see no justifiable need for M2M and one-year leases provide more stability and income.

@Patrick Philip The standard contract mtg contingencyrequires the buyer to properly pursue the loan and get turned down, not simply just walk away.....I’d refuse to release the EM.  

Hi all,Been on the house hunt this year for my first property, a duplex in Austin for a house hack.Obviously it is very difficult to find a cash flowing rental in Austin proper; but, we're not really interested in moving out too far from the center of town, for lifestyle reasons.Looking at one potential property, and it looks like, factoring in net rent from one half  of the duplex, property would 'cash flow'  -$2000/mo (FHA loan, 3.5% down).