Once they gain comfort and experience with the process they buy more (if that's their goal). 

Although my properties have doubled, tripled and some even 4X my buy price, I haven't realized the gain because I haven't sold!  

Have any large gains to generate in the same year to offset it?

@Stephanie WellsUnless it’s adding parking spots I wouldn’t say it would hold much weight on the appraisal. $6k-$8k is a lot to spend compared to the return you’ll get on adding value to the property.

The vast majority of people start local to gain experience and limit the downside risk. 

It can be used to amplify gains and increase cash flow/net worth, but if used haphazardly, the results can be disastrous.

Then I’d have selling costs and capital gains to contend with so it was a toss up for me.

This will be tax free money, and who know what will happen down the road with capital gains...Will the federal government ever change the expemtion on primary residences?

I’d love to chat with you to try to gain confidence to finally get one!

I'm gaining traction with simple mailers in certain counties in the Midwest that are not way over priced and provide double digit returns.