Financial Advisor · Irvine, CA · Member since 2011 · 113 posts · 62 votes
Investment Info:
Single-family residence buy & hold investment.
Purchase price: $289,000 Cash invested: $57,800
3/3 Single Family Residence, 10,080 Square Feet Lot, Built in 1987. 1,789 Interior Square Feet.
What made you interested in investing in this type of deal?
This is a great find with a peek-a-boo view of a lake.
How did you find this deal and how did you negotiate it?
Since 2022 I've worked with a local realtor who helps me find deals.
How did you finance this deal?
20% down conventional financing
How did you add value to the deal?
Total gut remodel
What was the outcome?
Good thing we gutted this 80's property. There was hidden water damage and a bit of mold behind the cabinets. All new bathrooms now, new cabinets, new kitchen. Total facelift so this house will have a new life!
Lessons learned? Challenges?
The back yard has a large deck that I did not expect to replace but ultimately it was necessary. Again, thinking long-term on this property.
Did you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?
Investor · Pacific Northwest · Member since 2026 · 511 posts · 286 votes
1w
Kaareen, the part I’d want to understand here is what the gut remodel actually changed economically, not just cosmetically.
At $289K with 20% down, the interesting questions are what the all-in basis became after renovation, what rent moved from/to, what the property is worth now, and whether the lake adjacency created a real rent/value premium or just made it more attractive to buy.
That distinction matters because a remodel can either create durable yield or simply turn cash into a prettier asset.
We tend to look at deals as a timeline: acquisition basis → capital added → operating change → financing → current value → exit optionality. Once you map it that way, you can see pretty quickly whether the renovation actually improved the investment or just improved the house.
Would be curious to see the before/after numbers on this one.
Financial Advisor · Irvine, CA · Member since 2011 · 113 posts · 62 votes
1w
Rehab is still in process. About $60k plus the deck. Long-term hold. Have not determined rent yet. I have other 4 bedroom rentals in this market at round $2,500/mo.
Rehab is still in process. About $60k plus the deck. Long-term hold. Have not determined rent yet. I have other 4 bedroom rentals in this market at round $2,500/mo.
@Kaaren Hall What do you estimate the ARV will be, $400k? And assuming the rent of a 3/3 in whatever market this property is in would be somewhat less than what you get on a 4 BR, what amount of a long-term return are you trying to achieve?
Real Estate Agent · San Antonio TX / Fort Lauderdale, FL · Member since 2023 · 113 posts · 25 votes
2w
It certainly sounds like you've developed a working rapport with your neighborhood agent over the years. Beyond your agent, were there any specific contractors, lenders, property managers, or others who contributed to making this deal work which you would be willing to share with other investors.
Financial Advisor · Irvine, CA · Member since 2011 · 113 posts · 62 votes
1w
On the current project I'm working with Genaro Cabera of G&B Legacy. He's taken a very business-like approach to this project and kept in contact (shared videos) and has taken responsibility for the one mishap that occurred.
On the current project I'm working with Genaro Cabera of G&B Legacy. He's taken a very business-like approach to this project and kept in contact (shared videos) and has taken responsibility for the one mishap that occurred.
Genaro Cabrera
@Kaaren Hall If you want to work with a FEMALE private lender based in Mid Missouri to do the DSCR loan when Genaro is done with the project, I have one that I'd recommend for you.
Investor · Pacific Northwest · Member since 2026 · 511 posts · 286 votes
1w
Kaareen, the part I’d want to understand here is what the gut remodel actually changed economically, not just cosmetically.
At $289K with 20% down, the interesting questions are what the all-in basis became after renovation, what rent moved from/to, what the property is worth now, and whether the lake adjacency created a real rent/value premium or just made it more attractive to buy.
That distinction matters because a remodel can either create durable yield or simply turn cash into a prettier asset.
We tend to look at deals as a timeline: acquisition basis → capital added → operating change → financing → current value → exit optionality. Once you map it that way, you can see pretty quickly whether the renovation actually improved the investment or just improved the house.
Would be curious to see the before/after numbers on this one.