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All Forum Posts by: Wale Lawal

Wale Lawal has started 86 posts and replied 4436 times.

Post: Investor Looking for Agent Plugged Into Distressed & Off-Market Deals – DFW Area

Wale Lawal
Posted
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Houston | Dallas | Austin, TX
  • Posts 4,610
  • Votes 2,454

@Teni Owojori

If you're actively buying distressed properties in DFW—especially in areas like Oak Cliff, Pleasant Grove, and Mesquite—and can close quickly with cash, you're exactly the kind of buyer many wholesalers and investor-friendly agents want to work with. Make sure you're consistently networking with probate attorneys, foreclosure specialists, and local agents to keep those leads flowing. If you’re looking for solid agent connections in TX, feel free to DM me and I’ll point you in the right direction.

Good luck!

Post: Understanding House Hacking / appreciation

Wale Lawal
Posted
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Houston | Dallas | Austin, TX
  • Posts 4,610
  • Votes 2,454

@Vaughn Jennings

Great question—generally, single-family homes in A/B class neighborhoods tend to appreciate more reliably over time due to higher buyer demand and a larger resale market. However, multifamily properties (duplexes, triplexes, etc.) offer stronger cash flow potential, even if appreciation is slightly slower. Renting by the room in a single-family home can work, especially near colleges or urban job centers, but it takes more effort to manage. For ease and scalability, a small multifamily is often the more realistic and balanced house hack strategy.

Good luck!

Post: New Out-of-State Investor Targeting Columbus, OH

Wale Lawal
Posted
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Houston | Dallas | Austin, TX
  • Posts 4,610
  • Votes 2,454

@Roy Nackar

Welcome to BP!

you're taking all the right steps by educating yourself and getting plugged into a mentorship program early on. Columbus, OH has solid fundamentals for long-term rentals, but as an out-of-state investor, make sure you're vetting property managers and contractors thoroughly, as management can make or break your deal. Also, be aware of neighborhood-level differences; some areas look great on paper but might have higher tenant turnover or maintenance costs.

Good luck!

Post: New investor seeking advices.

Wale Lawal
Posted
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Houston | Dallas | Austin, TX
  • Posts 4,610
  • Votes 2,454

@Rimane Tientega

You're on the right track by asking about house hacking—it's a powerful strategy, especially for first-time buyers with limited income. FHA loans can allow you to buy a multi-unit property (like a duplex, triplex, or fourplex) with just 3.5% down, live in one unit, and rent out the others to offset your mortgage. I'd recommend asking your counselor directly: "Can I qualify for an FHA loan to purchase a 2–4 unit property and house hack?" if they aren't familiar with that strategy, it may be worth getting a second opinion.

Good luck!

Post: New future investor!

Wale Lawal
Posted
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Houston | Dallas | Austin, TX
  • Posts 4,610
  • Votes 2,454

@Kristin Hayles

You're in a great position to make a strong transition into real estate investing, especially with your background as a realtor and your long-term mindset. Starting in January 2026 gives you time to solidify your strategy—whether that's house hacking, buy-and-hold, or short-term rentals—and leverage your license to find great deals and help others. If you need help building a roadmap or exploring TX market opportunities, feel free to DM me and I’ll point you in the right direction!

Good luck!

Post: New motivated member to bigger pockets

Wale Lawal
Posted
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Houston | Dallas | Austin, TX
  • Posts 4,610
  • Votes 2,454

@Jamie Mrazek

Welcome to BP! and it’s awesome that you’re taking real estate seriously now! With your military background, business experience, and hands-on repair skills, you’ve got a strong foundation to succeed, especially in value-add strategies like flips or BRRRRs. Feel free to reach out if you need help evaluating deals, financing options, or market insights.

Good luck!

Post: Purchasing a duplex in Venice, Florida zoned as single family RSF-3

Wale Lawal
Posted
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Houston | Dallas | Austin, TX
  • Posts 4,610
  • Votes 2,454

@Elijah Romer

Great question—and congrats on getting to the buying stage! If a property is physically a duplex but zoned single-family (RSF-3), it could present issues with permits, insurance, financing, or future resale. It’s not necessarily a deal-breaker, but you’ll want to confirm if the second unit is legal or “grandfathered in” by the city, and whether it can be legally rented. Always check with your local zoning or planning department before moving forward.

Good luck!

Post: Grandma will loan me anything at 5% rate

Wale Lawal
Posted
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Houston | Dallas | Austin, TX
  • Posts 4,610
  • Votes 2,454

@Ethan Tomlinson

You're in an amazing position for 22—$20K saved and a family member willing to offer creative financing is a powerful combo. Unfortunately, to qualify for an FHA loan, you still need to meet standard requirements like 2 years of W-2 income or steady self-employment, regardless of how much help you get for the down payment or reserves. But here's the play: consider using your grandma's loan as a bridge to buy a small multifamily with seller or private financing, then refinance into a conventional loan later once you qualify. Work on finding lenders, creative strategies, and evaluating a BRRRR deal the smart way.

Good luck!

Post: Sell at a Loss or Wait? Looking for Advice on Underperforming TX House

Wale Lawal
Posted
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Houston | Dallas | Austin, TX
  • Posts 4,610
  • Votes 2,454

@Yulya Marucya

You're in a tough but common spot many Austin-area investors are facing right now—buying high during the peak and now holding a negative cash-flowing asset. Since you’ve got a 3.5% mortgage, I'd explore every creative strategy before selling at a loss—think co-living to maximize rent, furnished room rentals, or partnering with a local operator to optimize Airbnb management. But if your financial or mental bandwidth is stretched, cutting losses now could free you up for better opportunities in stronger cash-flow markets. If you need help running numbers or want a second set of eyes on options, DM me and I’ll point you in the right direction.

Good luck!

Post: Seeking Advice on Investment Plans: Moving from Virginia to Florida

Wale Lawal
Posted
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Houston | Dallas | Austin, TX
  • Posts 4,610
  • Votes 2,454

@Andrew Chase

You're on a great path—house hacking in Jacksonville while renting out your Richmond property is a solid strategy that balances growth with stability. Keeping your Virginia home could pay off long-term, especially with neighborhood development and your low interest rate, but if you're leaning toward multifamily in Florida, using your equity via a sale or HELOC could accelerate your portfolio. Since you're still early in your investing journey, sticking with a single-family house hack and gradually building confidence and capital before jumping into multifamily sounds both smart and sustainable—you're thinking like a long-term investor.

Good luck!