First time builder and landlord

Huntsville, Alabama
Multi-Family and Apartment Investing
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First time builder and landlord

Grady Wright
New to Real Estate · TN · Member since 2023 · 3 posts · 3 votes

Looking for any direction or advice from anyone who's been through a similar situation.

I'm buying land from family in southern middle Tennessee (approximately 2 acres) and planning on building a new construction quad plex with four units approximately 1750 square feet each. I'm planning on using private financing to get my foot in the door with these first four units of my portfolio, and then to scale up and build more units on site as they're paid off. 


I'm looking for any and all advice about anything from 1 story versus 2 story builds, floor plans, how many units I can fit on 2 acres, land lord tips or tricks, and any software or technology that's been helpful in tracking or managing your properties. I'm a newbie looking to soak up as much as possible before I start the build. 

Thanks in advance for your help!

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Tenzapa Wakombe
Real Estate Agent · Nashville, TN · Member since 2025 · 125 posts · 62 votes
1y

Hey Grady!

That sounds like an exciting project! Since you’re buying land from family, that’s a great advantage—especially if you’re getting it at a favorable price.

A few things to consider:

  • 1 Story vs. 2 Story: A single-story build is often easier for maintenance and accessibility, but a two-story might help maximize your unit count while preserving green space or parking.
  • Unit Density: On 2 acres, zoning laws will be the big factor in determining how many total units you can build. You might want to check with local planning and zoning offices to see what’s allowed (or if you need variances).
  • Floor Plans: Open floor plans with 3-bed/2-bath layouts (or even 2-bed/2-bath) tend to attract long-term renters and small families. Efficient layouts can help reduce construction costs.
  • Landlord Tips: Tenant screening is everything. Setting clear policies from the start will save you headaches later. Also, consider whether you want to self-manage or hire a property manager as you scale.
  • Software/Tech: Buildium, AppFolio, RentRedi, even my buddy@Andrew Kubik are great for property management. For accounting, QuickBooks, Stessa, and also my buddy@William Whitley are solid choices. Smart locks and security cameras can also help with tenant management and property safety.

Would love to hear more about your build process as you get started! What stage are you at with the financing and permits?

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  • Account Closed
    Developer · Boston · Member since 2018 · 4 posts · 2 votes
    1y

    You should start by having a civil engineer survey the land and provide a plot plan and then have an architect study how many units you can fit based on zoning and site constraints.  Are there any wetlands on the property?  Soil tests and borings would also be advisable.  Who is representing you in the buy?  Do you have a lawyer advising on the use and rules of the property?

    1Reply
  • Ryan RomingerBusiness Member
    Real Estate Broker · Indianapolis, IN · Member since 2018 · 340 posts · 144 votes
    1y

    That’s an exciting project! With 2 acres, you’ve got some flexibility in how you design the quadplex and any future units. One-story vs. two-story depends on your target tenants—single-story can be more accessible for seniors, while two-story may allow for a more compact footprint and larger yard space.

    For layout, open-concept designs with 2-3 bed, 2 bath units tend to attract long-term renters. Parking is another key consideration—make sure there’s enough space for tenants.

    On the management side, tools like Buildium or AppFolio can help track rent payments, maintenance, and tenant communication. Also, setting up clear tenant screening criteria early on will save you headaches down the road.

    Scaling your portfolio this way is a great long-term strategy—excited to see how it comes together

    [email protected]317-935-0075
    Intrigue Real Estate & Property Management4.6285 Reviews
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    0Reply
  • Tenzapa Wakombe
    Real Estate Agent · Nashville, TN · Member since 2025 · 125 posts · 62 votes
    1y

    Hey Grady!

    That sounds like an exciting project! Since you’re buying land from family, that’s a great advantage—especially if you’re getting it at a favorable price.

    A few things to consider:

    • 1 Story vs. 2 Story: A single-story build is often easier for maintenance and accessibility, but a two-story might help maximize your unit count while preserving green space or parking.
    • Unit Density: On 2 acres, zoning laws will be the big factor in determining how many total units you can build. You might want to check with local planning and zoning offices to see what’s allowed (or if you need variances).
    • Floor Plans: Open floor plans with 3-bed/2-bath layouts (or even 2-bed/2-bath) tend to attract long-term renters and small families. Efficient layouts can help reduce construction costs.
    • Landlord Tips: Tenant screening is everything. Setting clear policies from the start will save you headaches later. Also, consider whether you want to self-manage or hire a property manager as you scale.
    • Software/Tech: Buildium, AppFolio, RentRedi, even my buddy@Andrew Kubik are great for property management. For accounting, QuickBooks, Stessa, and also my buddy@William Whitley are solid choices. Smart locks and security cameras can also help with tenant management and property safety.

    Would love to hear more about your build process as you get started! What stage are you at with the financing and permits?

    1Reply
  • Max Emory
    Accountant · 100% Remote · Member since 2019 · 495 posts · 215 votes
    1y

    Congrats, @Grady Wright! For bookkeeping, QuickBooks Online works great for all of our Clients (all are REIs).

    0Reply
  • Amanda Breck
    Attorney · UT · Member since 2025 · 33 posts · 59 votes
    1y

    An important thing to think about when starting out is what your asset protection plan will be. Real estate investing can potentially open you up to a lot of liability and risk of loss. There are lots of ways to plan for and mitigate this risk though! Good insurance is a good starting point, but using tools like LLCs to isolate and limit liability is another strategy you should consider. 

    As for landlord tips and tricks, I always tell my clients that the best thing you can do to make sure you attract good tenants and can manage poor tenants with less hassle is to be a good landlord! Make sure you are familiar with your state landlord/tenant laws. A good resource is your state Attorney General website. They will often publish a comprehensive landlord/tenant guide that will help you be aware of what your rights and responsibilities are. 

    1Reply
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