You could also explore other loan programs that work better with higher DTIs, or even pay down some of your current debt.

Even worse, the investor has no control.

But I can't help but think that I could benefit from the occasional discussion about real estate strategies or bounce opportunities off one another.Coach Carson's RPM program details below:Cost: ~$2500/yearBenefits (form Website):Personalized Coaching: Members receive direct support and feedback from Coach Carson and selected coaches, including monthly group coaching sessions, one-on-one "hot seat" calls, and small group coaching within Action Teams.Action Teams: These are accountability groups of 8-10 members that meet weekly over a three-month period to set and achieve goals, fostering perseverance and resilience among participants.Comprehensive Resources: Members have access to a repository of documents, systems, checklists, and more in the community swipe file, including tenant screening criteria, due diligence checklists, and rental analysis spreadsheets.Exclusive Community: RPM offers a private community of like-minded investors who prioritize time and freedom over scaling rapidly, providing a supportive environment for shared learning and growth.The Group Targets:Investors with experience owning 1 to 8+ properties, whether short-term (e.g., Airbnb), mid-term, or long-term rentals.Individuals who are coachable, hardworking, and value time and freedom over aggressive scaling.

About time! This will create some more movement, has been holding up quite a bit of growth. Good to see the city make some practical decisions. 

@Dylan Jeluso, where are you feeling you don't have control?  

Though fee schedules vary by company, generally speaking, you'll pay more up front for checkbook control and less over time, since the full custodial companies will have transaction fees not to mention the red tape of going through the custodian for all transactions. 

I think it would be a good experience for me to get landlord experience in a mostly controlled environment aka I live there. 

I was involved in R&D program with O.C. on "solving" a solar-on-the-roof solution that (a) worked and (b) was scalable. 

This implies residential units can be built at lower costs than ADU additions and provide better return. 11) adding an ADU to SFH can make the SFH fall under rent control.

Here’s what I recommend:Cash Investments:No Debt, No Stress: With cash, you avoid third-party control and loan vetting, giving you full control of returns.Equity Builders: Partnering with builders often reduces your property entry cost by up to 20% below market value.Consistent 10% Returns: With an all-cash approach, achieving 10% ROI is realistic and efficient.Financing Strategy:If cash isn’t feasible, consider a balanced financing model:40-50% Down Payment: Keep leverage manageable while maximizing returns.Lower Debt Exposure: A conservative loan-to-value ratio (LTV) reduces risks and keeps returns stable.Work with a Builder: Collaboration with builders can lower acquisition costs and increase your ROI.Key Takeaways:If possible, prioritize cash for simplicity, control, and consistent returns.Financing can work well with a disciplined approach to debt and a strong underwriting process.Partnering with builders offers opportunities to reduce costs and enhance your portfolio’s profitability.