Hey BP Community - My employer does not match 401k contributions so I'm considering abandoning the contributions altogether and instead investing in something like the SPY ETF on a regular basis. 

I think it's okay to not have a deluxe backyard, see what the market is demanding.We didn't want to or have the funds to do a full renovation, Here are some things we did when we got our primary ready to rent:-Tore out fiberglass tub and surround in master bedroom-Had new tub and tile surround put in (felt nicer for primary bedroom suite)-New toilets and all new faucets-Hired guy to resurface all kitchen and bathroom countertops-Took down popcorn ceiling and had resurfaced/ painted-Neutral paint and trim throughout (had different colors all over prior)-changed out washer hook-up valves to prevent issues Things I wish we would've taken care of:-regular yard maintenance hired out and baked into rent-LVP flooring throughout (kept mix of tile and carpet)Just did final walkthrough and got keys this morning for tenant moving out.

For starters, the prospect passes our 3.5x income requirement, has a 700+ credit score but a few things that I seem to have trouble with is the management company that was on the application, I wasn't able to find any viable information through regular web searches, but through the Business public record I found an LLC to this management company which I found was created 5 months ago. 

I think you could split after sale for a non-taxable event, the total basis transferred in would be split across the two "new" properties.Calling @Dave Foster to give his insights here, lots going on in this one.

He has bad credit so he can't get a regular mortgage. 

Check on the property regularly to make sure it's not sitting vacant with a wide open door. 

Hey Kevin, You're correct that in a Roth IRA, the tax advantages of depreciation, such as offsetting taxable income, are effectively lost since the account itself is tax-free.

All the mods are regular people (I think).

- Proactive Tenant Management – Focusing on a solid tenant screening process and keeping up with regular communication and maintenance has helped cut down on vacancies and avoid evictions.- Tech-Driven Operations – Using property management software for things like rent collection, maintenance requests, and communication has made everything smoother and saved a ton of time.- Curb Appeal & Upkeep – First impressions matter!

In any case there is no taxable event yet.As far as your brother is concerned, it again depends on the nature of the transaction.