Real Estate Agent · North Carolina, 28206 · Member since 2025 · 16 posts · 3 votes
Hello! My name is Cesar Smith and I am currently transitioning into becoming a Real Estate Agent and I am seeking to start a rental property business. I am also seeking to learn about how to assist the community with buying their dream home and sales as well. I am also currently looking for a mentor in real estate investing—specifically someone with hands-on experience with house hacking, BRRRR, contracts, marketing, and multifamily rental properties.
My long-term goal is to build a portfolio by flipping and renting homes and I’m eager to learn from someone who’s already walked that path.
I’m not looking for a course or class—just honest guidance from someone willing to share their knowledge and experience. I am very committed to learning and willing to act on your advice as well. If that sounds like you, I’d truly appreciate the opportunity to connect!
Hello! My name is Cesar Smith and I am currently transitioning into becoming a Real Estate Agent and I am seeking to start a rental property business. I am also seeking to learn about how to assist the community with buying their dream home and sales as well. I am also currently looking for a mentor in real estate investing—specifically someone with hands-on experience with house hacking, BRRRR, contracts, marketing, and multifamily rental properties.
My long-term goal is to build a portfolio by flipping and renting homes and I’m eager to learn from someone who’s already walked that path.
I’m not looking for a course or class—just honest guidance from someone willing to share their knowledge and experience. I am very committed to learning and willing to act on your advice as well. If that sounds like you, I’d truly appreciate the opportunity to connect!
Hey @Cesar Smith, welcome to the BP Forum! What type of properties most interests you, SFR, 2-4 MF, or 5+ MF? What is your price range/down payment amount? Are you looking for turn-key properties or something along the lines of a "fixer upper"? Your comment about wanting to "assist the community" sounds like you're wanting to give back to your area through your real estate skills, is that accurate?
Hello! My name is Cesar Smith and I am currently transitioning into becoming a Real Estate Agent and I am seeking to start a rental property business. I am also seeking to learn about how to assist the community with buying their dream home and sales as well. I am also currently looking for a mentor in real estate investing—specifically someone with hands-on experience with house hacking, BRRRR, contracts, marketing, and multifamily rental properties.
My long-term goal is to build a portfolio by flipping and renting homes and I’m eager to learn from someone who’s already walked that path.
I’m not looking for a course or class—just honest guidance from someone willing to share their knowledge and experience. I am very committed to learning and willing to act on your advice as well. If that sounds like you, I’d truly appreciate the opportunity to connect!
Hey @Cesar Smith, welcome to the BP Forum! What type of properties most interests you, SFR, 2-4 MF, or 5+ MF? What is your price range/down payment amount? Are you looking for turn-key properties or something along the lines of a "fixer upper"? Your comment about wanting to "assist the community" sounds like you're wanting to give back to your area through your real estate skills, is that accurate?
Hello! My name is Cesar Smith and I am currently transitioning into becoming a Real Estate Agent and I am seeking to start a rental property business. I am also seeking to learn about how to assist the community with buying their dream home and sales as well. I am also currently looking for a mentor in real estate investing—specifically someone with hands-on experience with house hacking, BRRRR, contracts, marketing, and multifamily rental properties.
My long-term goal is to build a portfolio by flipping and renting homes and I’m eager to learn from someone who’s already walked that path.
I’m not looking for a course or class—just honest guidance from someone willing to share their knowledge and experience. I am very committed to learning and willing to act on your advice as well. If that sounds like you, I’d truly appreciate the opportunity to connect!
Hey @Cesar Smith, welcome to the BP Forum! What type of properties most interests you, SFR, 2-4 MF, or 5+ MF? What is your price range/down payment amount? Are you looking for turn-key properties or something along the lines of a "fixer upper"? Your comment about wanting to "assist the community" sounds like you're wanting to give back to your area through your real estate skills, is that accurate?
Hello Jaycee, thank you for the welcoming! I am very interested in 5+ MF properties but, I also know that I have to start somewhere, even if that is a 3-4 MF. The price range I want to start with is anywhere between $300k-1M and the down payment amount is 5-10%. I am also looking for turn-key properties as this would be my first investment property. Yes sir, that is very accurate, as I am very committed to guiding our community members through the homeownership journey, from dream to reality. If you have any other questions, I would love to connect and get to know you more!
@Cesar Smith Would a duplex like this be of interest: 1200 Dade St, Charlotte, NC 28205? In order to get a down payment < 10%, you'll need to house hack and the largest property you can HH is a 4plex.
@Jaycee Greene The duplex does look great but I have honestly been researching properties that has a minimum of 4 units. A quadruplex similar to this property would be of interest:413 Heathcliff St, Charlotte, NC, 28208. Also, that is understood sir, I have been doing research on what kind of loans would be available as well.
@Jaycee Greene The duplex does look great but I have honestly been researching properties that has a minimum of 4 units. A quadruplex similar to this property would be of interest:413 Heathcliff St, Charlotte, NC, 28208. Also, that is understood sir, I have been doing research on what kind of loans would be available as well.
@Cesar Smith Would you house hack with that property on Heathcliff or would it be a strict investment property?
@Jaycee Greene Yes sir, my mission is to house hack my first investment property and then to scale from there. That property on Heathcliff really caught my eye as I would be interested in it or something similar to it, sir.
@Jaycee Greene Yes sir, my mission is to house hack my first investment property and then to scale from there. That property on Heathcliff really caught my eye as I would be interested in it or something similar to it, sir.
@Cesar Smith Have you figured out the max FHA loan you could qualify for (and not exceed the max FHA loan for the area) using that property on Heathcliff? Your max backend DTI is probably going to be 43%.
@Jaycee Greene I haven't figured out the max FHA loan I could qualify for yet as I am currently starting to brand the business but the max loan for a quadruplex in my area is around $1.008M. I am assuming that verifying the max FHA loan that I could qualify for should be my next steps to getting a property under contract and getting it across the finish line.
@Jaycee Greene I haven't figured out the max FHA loan I could qualify for yet as I am currently starting to brand the business but the max loan for a quadruplex in my area is around $1.008M. I am assuming that verifying the max FHA loan that I could qualify for should be my next steps to getting a property under contract and getting it across the finish line.
@Cesar Smith Yes, I would agree that should be your next steps. Keep in mind the back end DTI includes ALL of your personal debts including student loans, credit cards, etc. FYI, on just the $1M FHA loan, I'd estimate your monthly PITI is around $7,100, which would mean you'd have to have an annual income of at least $200k to qualify. I'd be interested in seeing what numbers you come up with. Good luck.
@Jaycee Greene I haven't figured out the max FHA loan I could qualify for yet as I am currently starting to brand the business but the max loan for a quadruplex in my area is around $1.008M. I am assuming that verifying the max FHA loan that I could qualify for should be my next steps to getting a property under contract and getting it across the finish line.
Hi @Cesar Smith: Welcome. here ya go.
MECKLENBURG County
CHARLOTTE-CONCORD-GASTONIA, NC-SC
Single
Duplex
Tri-plex
Four-plex
$524,225
$671,200
$811,275
$1,008,300
Those are the FHA loan limits you are dealing with.
So, you need to make sure your rents will cover it. If you need more, let me know.
Hello @Ken M.: Thank you for this information and guidance sir. Would you agree that the 1% rule would be a great formula to making sure rents cover it?
Hello @Ken M.: Thank you for this information and guidance sir. Would you agree that the 1% rule would be a great formula to making sure rents cover it?
Rents are a function of wat people will pay for the space. I'd first find out what the reasonable rent is for an apartment and build my search around knowing that.
Hello @Ken M.: Thank you for this information and guidance sir. Would you agree that the 1% rule would be a great formula to making sure rents cover it?
Rents are a function of wat people will pay for the space. I'd first find out what the reasonable rent is for an apartment and build my search around knowing that.
That makes sense — the market really dictates what’s reasonable. I’ve been looking into local rental comps and average rents for similar units to figure out what tenants are actually paying. Are there any tools or data sources you like for getting reliable rent estimates in a specific neighborhood?
Hello @Ken M.: Thank you for this information and guidance sir. Would you agree that the 1% rule would be a great formula to making sure rents cover it?
Rents are a function of wat people will pay for the space. I'd first find out what the reasonable rent is for an apartment and build my search around knowing that.
That makes sense — the market really dictates what’s reasonable. I’ve been looking into local rental comps and average rents for similar units to figure out what tenants are actually paying. Are there any tools or data sources you like for getting reliable rent estimates in a specific neighborhood?
Hello @Ken M.: Thank you for this information and guidance sir. Would you agree that the 1% rule would be a great formula to making sure rents cover it?
Rents are a function of wat people will pay for the space. I'd first find out what the reasonable rent is for an apartment and build my search around knowing that.
That makes sense — the market really dictates what’s reasonable. I’ve been looking into local rental comps and average rents for similar units to figure out what tenants are actually paying. Are there any tools or data sources you like for getting reliable rent estimates in a specific neighborhood?
Redfin.com Zillow.com Rentometer.com
I really appreciate those suggestions — Redfin, Zillow, and Rentometer are great tools for analyzing local markets and rental comps. I’ll start comparing data across them to get a better sense of pricing trends.
@Jaycee Greene This is great information, sir. Thank you for the knowledge. I will be running numbers on this property and will calculate my current DTI to ensure the approval of a loan. I will also be looking into other loan options if the FHA loan isn't the best route. Thank you again.