Is it only the duplex that you were projecting to live in for one year or either one for one year? 

If you want to think about it as a math problem, it’s all about where you put your time to maximize returns while also factoring in what you enjoy doing.Picking the MarketI’m the kind of person who gets analysis paralysis.

A buddy of mine who invests out in Phoenix once had a client facing a similar timing mismatch on a rehab project.. they ended up working closely with a local credit union who was more open to interim valuations.

Focus on affordable markets, build a strong network, and continually educate yourself through books, podcasts, and deal analysis to steadily expand your portfolio.Good luck!

As a family-run business we’re curious—what factors do lenders prioritize most when evaluating projects like ours?

A few public projects have cleaned this up but the area has never prospered since.

In my experience, making on-time payments and making it clear that they are the first lender I am calling to fund a project have been necessary to building a strong relationship fast. 

Quote from @Tim Halbert: I've been using Obie for several rehab projects in TN. 

This is our "8 x 8 project" - there, I've said it out loud to remain accountable! 

I'm looking to finance the project long term in a way that is helps me create positive cashflow.