First of all,  Security deposits  as rent should ONLY occur on the last month, and never before then - - otherwise you have nothing to hold over for damages on move out.QB is poor when managing security deposits, and when I asked this on a QB forum, you should have seen the procedural mess that was suggested to make it all work. 

Carpet also holds odors which can be a real turn-off for prospective tenants as well.Figure out who your target tenant is and then install the flooring they want.

Left Hewlett-Packard over 10 years ago to do real estate full time in the Detroit market with a buy and hold strategy.  

Hey all,I've been reading up on buy-and-hold, first-time real estate investment for a few months now, and have made my way through a bunch of Bigger Pockets podcast episodes, so I felt like it was time to introduce myself on the forums, too.My name's Shane and I'm originally from the Northwest, have been here in Los Angeles for 3 years now, and I'm looking to buy my first property ever.

After speaking with a lender, it seems like it's harder to get funding for flipping than buy and hold.

What type of investing are you interested in; flip or buy and hold?

Open to buy and hold and flips.Thanks.

Jason you could have put it under contract with an option if he was willing to discount the property even a little and sold/assigned the option to an off-market buy and hold investor looking for a good deal.  

My advise.... stay focused, save some money, and INVEST in real estate - long term buy and hold is the path to real wealth - take your time and set your goals on buying your first rental property - as an owner occupant if possible.good luck

I am under contract on a 4 plex. Inspection revealed about $40,000-$50,000 worth of work that needs to be done. I am currently waiting on the seller to accept or reject my new purchase price offer, however, I don't ha...