If you can start with something that needs a light cosmetic rehab, countertops, floors, paint I would say is the way to go! 

The property is listed for $259,900 and needs new floors and updating to the kitchen and bathrooms.

The floor is far lower than you're ever going to know, and that's how you manage risk.

I lined up all contractors that was needed, as well as doing all doors flooring concrete trim painting cabinets etc myself..

You need to get something on that floor.

So all in I am at $240,300 , hard money I am factoring in as 15% rate and since I’m borrowing 840k for let’s say 6 months , I’m factoring in hard money costs at 63k for 6 months So now all in I’m at $303,300 ARV should be at least $1.3 million (conservatively) I would cash out refi with a dscr loan and get back 975k , I would pay the $840k I owe to the hard money lenders , leaving me with 135k , and I would pay myself back with that money , and since I would have $303,300 invested , I would pay back 135k to myself leaving me with $168k invested in the house with a equity position of $325k , the actual house number are such after the cash out refinance: This house has 2 units and 3 accessory units Mortgage : $7100Heloc payment : $1300Total = $8400Live in 1st floor Rental income 2nd floor : $30003rd floor: $1500Accessory unit 1 :1200Accessory unit 2 $1200Income : $6900 Net : negative $1200I also already have a house that’s breaking even , but I’m living in one unit and if I move out that house would become positive $1500 which I can put toward the payment of one of the other houses .

We added value by re-doing the whole house, installed vinyl floorings, rebuilt 2 and a half bathrooms, re-painted the whole house, replaced all the hardware in the house, installed new lighting, ceiling fans, re-painted the kitchen, and completely remodeled the upstairs.

Pretty much all major components were newly installed / fitted and done to a tasteful standard (new metal roof, plumbing, electrical, kitchen, flooring, bathroom, doors, new hvac, decks, vinyl siding etc) and I have visited and walked through 3 times and even been under crawl space to inspect a repair that was previously noted on an inspection to the foundation after termite treatment which looked to be a good job.

We replaced floors, repainted every inch of the interior, and fixed everything that needed attention.

However, the tenant calls very frequently in regard to non emergency issues ex : Can I cut the front bush, it’s ugly or what should I use to mop the floors.