All Forum Posts by: Wale Lawal

@Lane Sanders

Congrats on your first home—that’s a strong start, especially locking in a 3.99% rate! Yes, absolutely type up a formal lease agreement with your friends. Even if it’s a friendly arrangement, having terms in writing protects everyone and sets clear expectations. Charging $1,000 per room sounds fair for Bulverde, but double-check local comps to be sure you’re not leaving money on the table. For collecting rent, apps like Apartments.com, RentRedi, or Zelle (for simple transfers) work well. DM me and I’ll point you in the right direction for lease templates, local rent comps, and landlord tools to help you get set up right.

Good luck!

@Giovanni DiBlasio

You've set yourself up really well—great equity, strong cash flow, and flexibility with remote work. If your long-term goal is flipping or building, it could make sense to leverage that $170K in equity through a HELOC or cash-out refi to fund your next move while keeping the appreciating asset. NJ can be tough for landlords, but if you've had success managing your current unit, don't rush to sell unless you're truly ready to pivot markets. You might consider expanding into a more landlord-friendly state while keeping your NJ property as a solid cash-flowing base.

Good luck!

@Deserey Templeton

Focus on learning loan options like FHA (3.5% down) or USDA (0% down in rural areas), and start tracking local duplex or triplex deals. Leverage your time at home to network online, study deals, and build relationships with local agents or lenders who work with first-time buyers. Keep your credit strong, save aggressively, and aim for a property where the rent covers most or all of the mortgage. You've got this!

Good luck!

@Orlando Chavez

You're absolutely right—post-pandemic pricing in the Dallas and DFW suburbs has made cash flow a bit tighter, especially on 2–4 unit properties. That said, there are still pockets with solid returns if you know where to look and are willing to negotiate or add value. Many investors now focus on "value-add" deals where light rehab or better management boosts rental income. Also, off-market deals or working with agents can help you avoid overpaying. DM me and I’ll point you in the right direction with local resources and markets worth watching.

Good luck!

@Jordan J. Edwards

That sounds like a solid opportunity to build instant equity—acquiring a $175K property for just $45K (plus closing costs) could be a strong first move. Just make sure the title is clear and the seller has full authority to transfer ownership once the lien is paid. Structuring the deal correctly is key—you'll want to use a title company or real estate attorney to protect yourself. Once you own it, tapping into the equity via a HELOC or cash-out refi could fund your next rental. DM me and I'll point you in the right direction to make sure this is done the right way.

Good luck!

@Lauren Stanton

You're doing all the right things—educating yourselves and getting ready to take action. Since Broward is pricey, consider expanding your search to nearby cash-flow-friendlier markets like parts of Central Florida or the Gulf Coast. A live-in renovation house hack is a great entry—just stay strict on your numbers and make sure the after-repair value supports the BRRRR model. Start small, build sweat equity, and don't be afraid to network with local investors or REI meetups to find off-market deals and trusted contractors.

Good luck!

@Quin Thomas

Great to see you diving in early! For flips or STRs in Tampa Bay, start by networking with local agents and investor meetups—they're your best sources for deals. Learn to analyze rehabs by walking properties with contractors and using tools like DealCheck or BiggerPockets calculators. For financing, look into hard money loans for flips or FHA/DSCR loans for STRs—partnering with someone experienced can also help you ease into your first deal with more confidence.

Good luck!

@Anna Smith

You’re in a strong position with capital, motivation, and a backup plan—smart thinking. If I were in your shoes, I’d pull a portion of the inheritance (not all) and do one flip in a lower-cost, stable market like Louisville, ideally with a trusted contractor and strong comps. Use that project to learn, build a team, and see if this path truly fits before going all-in. Keep some funds liquid as a cushion, and consider house hacking or a small rental as a safer parallel play while you build experience and cash flow.

Good luck!

@Zachary Hayes

You're in a perfect spot—low expenses, high savings, and time to be strategic. Your smartest first move could be house hacking a small multifamily (duplex or triplex) with an FHA loan—live in one unit, rent the others, and build equity while living cheap. If NJ prices don't work, consider out-of-state cash-flow markets where your savings can stretch further. In the meantime, build your credit, learn to analyze deals, and network locally so you're ready when the right opportunity hits.

Good luck!

@Steve Balinski

Totally hear you—today’s market has made it tough to hit traditional cash flow targets. In most solid markets, $500/month on a single-family is rare unless you're buying deeply discounted, using creative financing, or targeting mid-term rentals or niche tenants. You might consider shifting focus to out-of-state cash-flow markets where entry prices and expenses are lower, or exploring seller financing and subject-to deals to beat high rates. You’ve already built a great foundation—now it’s about adapting strategy, not giving up the game.

Good luck!