I got my first deal done !!!

[Isiah Ferguson]

Hey BP, I've been on this website for a few weeks now but I'm fairly new too real estate investing. I've studied as much as I can before I felt comfortable too pull the trigger. I learned everything from books, google, and YouTube about REI. My main goal is too build up enough passive income too cover my monthly expenses and plus extra cash flow too do things like travel etc. I jumped into the game after creating an LLC in only a 3 month span. I don't know why I was in a such a rush lol. Here's my first purchase in details. I would like to know what you guys think and consider ?

Turnkey duplex property - 900sq 2bd/1bth for each side

Listed price - $109,000

Purchased price - $95,000 CASH BUY

Minor rehabs - $4,500

All in CASH BUY - $99,500

Appraised - $117,000 before minor rehab

Rented - $1,200 total $600 for each side

So now I have this property & here are the numbers. Of course it's not the best deal and everything is a learning curve. I'm at the point now where I just been collecting rent for the last couple months and CASH flow is great which is my ultimate goal. After learning about the BRRRR strategy and about leveraging your cash, I'm starting to second guess this deal. Moving forward I'm trying to figure out how to approach my next deal because I'm ready to expand my portfolio.

Should I do a CASH on cash refinance and use the money too try and begin the BRRRR strategy?

Should I do a CASH on cash refinance and use the cash for down payments for multiple properties?

Should I keep the property the way it is, let the cash flow build up and use some of my reserves too dump into another property after about 24 months. That way I have 2 properties free and clear ? My ultimate goal is too create massive passive income.

Am I looking at this the right way? Any suggestions or ideas ? Thanks in advance

[Jonathan Thompson]

Age old question.  Own outright our leverage?  If you run the numbers, leveraging makes you more in the end. However there's the psychological boost of not having a mortgage and applying the full rent to future investments.  I think it all depends on your goals. You state you want massive passive income flow.  If you want to aggressively expand your rental portfolio, leverage (cash out refi) is the way to go.  If you aren't in a huge rush for your next property, you can let cashflow buildup to fund a down payment (begin to leverage) on a future property.  That way you have an "anchor" property that is paid off that you know will provide positive cashflow and can snowball payments to other properties to pay them down, etc.  Either way, you're in a good place. 

You'll find people on here (smart people) who would argue that too much equity in a home is a waste of capital, that should be redeployed into another investment.

My $.02. I would only pay cash to purchase the property to rehab and then cash out as much as I could without sacrificing cashflow.

Good luck.

John