All Forum Posts by: Wale Lawal

@Kevin Liu

You're in a fantastic position—$130K is a strong start, especially in a market like Indianapolis. Yes, many of those pre-1940s homes can cash flow well, but you're right to assume they often need significant rehab—think electrical, plumbing, roofs, and HVAC. With your budget, you could definitely pull off a solid BRRRR on the right deal or even consider small multifamily properties if you want to scale faster. For estimating rehab costs, I recommend building a basic cost-per-square-foot spreadsheet for common repairs and leaning on a local contractor or investor-friendly agent early—Zillow won't give you enough info, so seeing the property in person or getting a local boots-on-the-ground partner is key.

Good luck!

@Paul Meiners

Welcome to the next chapter—sounds like you’re making smart, intentional moves for your family’s future! With around $70K and a flexible starting point in Macon, you're in a strong position to house hack in areas within 1–2 hours of Dallas, GA. I'd suggest looking at markets like Cartersville, Rome, and even parts of West Cobb County—these areas are more affordable than metro Atlanta but still offer solid rental demand. Since you're new to Georgia, focus on building relationships with a local investor-friendly agent and property manager early—they can help you navigate neighborhoods to target or avoid.

Good luck!

@Finnick Fires

Welcome to the journey! You're already ahead of the game by educating yourself and getting involved early! House hacking in Pflugerville or North Austin is a smart move, especially with the area's steady growth and strong rental demand. I'd recommend looking at duplexes or triplexes where you can live in one unit and rent the others—FHA or conventional loans with low down payments could work in your favor. Focus on running the numbers conservatively and connecting with local lenders and agents who understand investment strategies. DM me and I'll point you in the right direction with some resources and contacts in the area.

Good luck!

@Jay Styles

With $20K to invest and plans to move within a year, you're in a great spot to start small and smart. Turnkey providers like Real Wealth Network can be helpful for out-of-state investing, especially if you're busy—but always vet the property, market, and team thoroughly. In Texas, markets like San Antonio, Houston, and parts of DFW still offer solid cash-flow potential and investor-friendly laws. You might consider a partner-friendly market and possibly use that $20K toward a down payment on a small single-family rental with local property management in place. DM me and I’ll point you in the right direction based on your goals and timeline.

Good luck!

@Brett Hushon

Since you own your Raleigh home outright, you have a great opportunity to let that asset work for you. If the home's in a desirable area, turning it into a long-term rental can generate steady, passive income and continue building equity. An STR could offer higher returns, but only if local regulations allow and you're prepared to manage the extra work—or hire a property manager. Selling could give you cash for future investments, but if you don't need the funds immediately, holding onto it as a rental is often the smarter wealth-building move.

Good luck!

@Jordan McCray

Welcome and congrats on taking that first big step—house hacking is a fantastic way to build wealth early, especially in a market like Marietta! Since you're just getting started, I'd recommend looking for a small multifamily (like a duplex or triplex) where you can live in one unit and rent out the others—FHA loans can be a great option with low down payments. Be sure to run your numbers conservatively—include vacancy, repairs, and property management even if you self-manage at first. Also, start networking with local investors and real estate agents who know the area well—they can help you find off-market deals or hidden gems.

Good luck!

@Robert Williams

it’s great that you’ve invested time into learning and connecting with others in real estate — that's a strong foundation. Fear is completely normal when starting out, but action is the key to overcoming it. Start small, lean on the network you've begun to build, and remember: the real growth happens once you step out of your comfort zone and take that first deal, even if it’s imperfect.

Good luck!

@Stanley Clervil

You're thinking very smartly by combining helping your mom with starting your real estate portfolio. Financing options like a conventional loan with 15–20% down would work well for a condo, but be sure to check the HOA rules and approval rates, as they can affect financing. Condos can be a good starting point if the building is well-managed — just make sure it fits your long-term investment goals.

Good luck!

@Dino Dziljaj

It sounds like you're in a great position with solid savings and a strong salary. Since single-family deals are moving fast, shifting your focus to small multifamily properties is smart — you can use options like FHA multifamily loans (as low as 3.5% down if you live in one unit) or traditional commercial financing with partners or creative structures. Work on funding strategies and setting up an LLC.

Good luck!

@Pedro Claussen

Welcome to BP! Since you're building a strong income base as a young attorney, starting with long-term rentals is a smart move to build stable cash flow, and later you can explore flipping for faster capital growth. Focus first on learning your local Houston market well, networking with experienced investors.

Good luck!