We’ve slowly been improving our homes the more we’ve built and the more feedback we get from our Buyers2021 – Added 8ft doors throughout the home2022 – Added a new elevation with stone in the front of the home2023 – NO carpet in the bedrooms, LVP throughout the home2024 – Added hurricane impact windows & new color options2025 – Adding Ceiling FansGotta be open to feedback and adjust accordinglyThis can be the difference of your home sitting on the market for 4 months vs 1 month

I have 2 rentals in SW FL- both have open insurance claims and a public adjuster is involved.My insurance policies renew April/May.

Mine was also out of state, in a town I’d never visited, and I relied heavily on videos from my agent.This sounds like a tough first deal, but it seems like you have some capital on the side, which will be useful as you face the upcoming challenges and learn from those expensive early mistakes.Regarding the subject of this post, “help me adjust my expectations,” I’d recommend assuming that; repairs will cost twice as much as you estimate, maintenance and vacancy rates will likely double from your initial projections, there’s a very real chance you may lose money on this deal.That said, there are ways to mitigate these risks by:- Keep asking questions here on BP and connecting with local experts- Stay proactive and communicative with your agent and property manager.And remember “Inspect what you expect.”Im not trying to discourage you but to help reset your expectations.

Also look at pricing softwares and adjust accordingly.

Yes the lack of identical apples-to-apples comps has been an issue in the area for years.

For instance, mismatched names, employment details, or salary figures should warrant further scrutiny.Urgency to Move In: Applicants who are unusually pushy about quick move-in dates may be attempting to bypass thorough checks.Reluctance to Provide References: Hesitation or refusal to provide contactable references from previous landlords or employers is a cause for concern.Cash Offers for Faster Move-In: Proposals to pay a significant amount up front, especially in cash, to expedite the moving process can sometimes indicate an attempt to avoid scrutiny.Unverifiable Identity: Difficulty in verifying the applicant’s identity through standard identification documents can indicate potential fraud.Tips to Mitigate Rental Application Fraud:Enhance Verification Processes: Implement stringent verification processes for employment, previous rental history, and identity.

That means that you can buy a house on the South side -- identical to one on the North side and in its doppleganger (save race) neighborhood -- for literally a $100,000 less than you can on the North side.

Ultimately, it's difficult to confirm the identity of the borrower. 

My process is almost identical. 

When they apply is when you should confirm their identity.