You have to adjust your expectations to match current reality, which includes higher mortgage rates, higher prices, more expensive taxes and insurance, more competition, etc.

"Fall in love with people, not with houses".Did your agent do a "cash out analysis" to show how much winds up in your pocket after the sale expenses?

This can be costly for your property manager, and you may have to pay for their insurance policy, which can add unnecessary expenses to your budget.It strengthens your relationship with your property manager.Adding your property manager as an additional insured is a gesture of good faith that shows you are committed to protecting their interests.

@Davis Barrow they didn't want to extend your rate lock because they wanted you to buy more expensive paper which is a bit unfortunate.

Cut out expensive stuff you do not need but just want.Try to get that monthly amount needed to survive to a nominal amount.3.

A duplex strategy is a low-risk entry, saving on living expenses.

I highly suspect you folks have never ever been through any kind of civil business litigation and have no clue how expensive and time consuming it can be..

Our next big objective is to eliminate our housing expenses by purchasing a triplex or fourplex using my VA benefits.

I went high on the expenses, which came to roughly over $20K. assuming 1 unit to be vacant per year (83.3% occupancy).

You can ask an attorney about having them on retainer but I'm guessing they would not want that liability either and it might end up being more expensive than just getting your license.