Hi everyone, I’m Joseph Blankenship from Jacksonville, North Carolina. I served 14 years in the Marine Corps and founded Frontline Veteran Property, a veteran-owned business focused on North Carolina multifamily real estate.

My current focus is learning and evaluating 10–50 unit properties, particularly in Jacksonville, New Bern, and Wilmington. I’ve been talking with lenders and working through financing requirements, debt coverage, and operating costs. I want to understand where a property can look solid on paper but turn out differently in practice.

One question I’d appreciate hearing your experience on:

After your first multifamily purchase, what expense or operating problem surprised you most—and what would you check before closing if you could do it again?

I’m especially interested in experiences with older B/C-class properties. Examples from coastal North Carolina would be helpful, but lessons from other markets are welcome too.

I appreciate straightforward advice, including anything you think I may be overlooking. I look forward to learning from this community and sharing useful lessons as I go.