All Forum Posts by: Wale Lawal

@Ralph Riche

You're way ahead of the game at 19—having a clear plan, aggressive savings, and a long-term vision puts you in a great position for success. House hacking a duplex or triplex with FHA financing is a smart first move in South Florida, especially in areas like Broward or West Palm where rental demand stays strong. My biggest tip: start building your local team now—connect with investor-friendly agents and property managers who understand the numbers and zoning in your target neighborhoods. Also, drive or walk the areas you're interested in so you can get a feel for rent potential, tenant base, and property conditions.

Good luck!

@Michelle Peters

Michelle, thank you for sharing your story—your strength, self-awareness, and drive to push forward are incredibly inspiring. Failing a class doesn’t define your future; real estate offers so many paths outside of being an agent, like investing in rental properties, house hacking, or even partnering with others to get started. The beauty of real estate is that you can build passive income at your own pace, in a way that supports your health and lifestyle goals. You’ve already taken the hardest step by showing up—keep going.

Good luck!

@Kaili lynn Mcdonald

You're doing all the right things by getting pre-qualified, working with a team, and thinking both short and long term—so kudos to you! If a 2 bed/2 bath condo or townhouse is what fits your budget right now, it can still be a great house hack, especially if you can rent out a room or use platforms like Airbnb (if HOA allows). Just be sure to review the HOA rules and fees carefully—they can impact cash flow and rental flexibility later. If the property meets your living needs and positions you to build equity while lowering your cost of living, it's a win—even if it's not multifamily yet.

Good luck!

@Trey Cullison

Congrats on taking action so early—that's an incredible move at 19! House hacking with friends is a great strategy to lower your living costs and build equity, especially in a market like Warrenton, VA where demand for rentals is steady. Just make sure you all get clear on responsibilities, finances, and exit plans before you buy—ideally with something in writing. Also, look into FHA or conventional loans with low down payments if at least one of you plans to live in the property.

Good luck!

@Jerryian Francois

Appreciate you keeping it real—Miami’s definitely seen a slowdown in buyer activity lately, especially with higher interest rates making investors more cautious. If your duplex is cash flowing and leased up, sitting tight is a solid play—sometimes time is your best negotiating tool. You might also consider marketing it as a turnkey investment to out-of-state buyers looking for stable rental income, since it’s tenant-occupied. Every market has its own rhythm, but yes—many are seeing longer days on market right now. Hang in there and keep the lines open—serious buyers will come around!

Good luck!

@Stephen Babagian

It's great to see another serious investor active in the Central Valley—Fresno and the surrounding areas are still offering solid BRRRR potential if you can move quickly on the right properties. Your criteria are clear and smart—targeting light to moderate rehab in areas with strong rental comps is key for a successful refinance. I'd recommend networking with local agents who specialize in investment properties, as well as joining local investor meetups or REI Facebook groups where off-market deals often surface first.

Good luck!

 Economy of scale because of multiple units. Thank you

 All the best!

@Daisy Abrajan

Welcome to the world of real estate investing, it's great that you and your partner are taking the time to learn and network before diving in! Wilmington is a solid market with potential for both long-term and short-term rentals, especially near the coast where tourism stays strong. My advice: start by getting to know the local zoning laws and STR regulations, then connect with an investor-friendly agent who knows the Wilmington market well. When you're ready to take action, focus on one strategy first to gain momentum before branching out.

Good luck!

@Christopher Piper

Great question and sounds like you're sitting on some strong equity and creative potential! If your current rental has a 3% mortgage and is cash-flowing, that's a rare asset worth thinking twice before selling. Using your existing HELOC to fund the new build could preserve that low-rate asset while still boosting cash flow, even if the return is a bit lower due to interest. However, if the projected income from the new units is truly 10x your current cash flow and you're confident in the demand, it may justify the sale—just make sure to account for capital gains and opportunity cost. DM me and I'll help you run the numbers more precisely and connect you with the right local pros in Texas.

Good luck!