All Forum Posts by: Deborah Wodell

Hi Kyle — welcome to the world of real estate investing!

Both strategies can work, but it really depends on your goals. Paying cash for a lower-priced property gives you simplicity and less risk, while using your equity as a down payment on a leveraged property lets you scale faster and potentially earn more — as long as the cash flow covers your debt and expenses.

If your goal is to grow your portfolio, leveraging your equity with smart financing could be the better long-term move. Just make sure the numbers make sense and you have some reserves.

Hi Sharon! Congrats on your first BRRRR — sounds like you've done a great job so far.

Yes, credit still plays a role even with an LLC, as most lenders look at the personal credit of the members. A refinance could work to return capital to the partner who wants out, but keep in mind most lenders will only go up to about 70–75% LTV. An 80% is rare but possible.

Local banks are worth a try since most lenders have a minimum of 75k. 

Would love to add on to your options. 

Hey Andrew, congrats on finishing your first flip!

FSBO can work, especially in a hot area, but some buyers (and agents) might view it cautiously. If you offer a buyer agent commission, that can help.

That said, if you find a good agent, it might save you time and hassle — and still get you top dollar. Good luck!

Generally impossible nowadays. The other are right in saying 80% would be the most for a cash out refi. there are tons of lenders that has 75% as their max. 

Really enjoyed reading your post — sounds like you're being thoughtful and doing your homework, which is huge. 

I’m a private lender and broker myself, and honestly, your conservative approach (entity-only, 1st liens, solid underwriting, etc.) is exactly the kind of foundation that sets you up for long-term success. Most of the lessons you’re anticipating—like managing idle capital or balancing reputation with limited funds—are spot on.

For liquidity, I’d look into high-yield business savings or money market accounts with same-day transfer capabilities. A few online banks are great for this. As for reputation while working with a smaller capital pool, transparency helps a lot—position yourself as a relationship-based boutique lender who funds quality over quantity. That actually appeals to many investors.

When it comes to reviewing deals, here’s what’s helped me:

• Start simple: I ask for the basics upfront — purchase price, rehab budget, ARV, and timeline. I want to see how they got their numbers (comps, scope of work, etc.) to see if they've done the homework or are guessing.

• Borrower & exit plan: I pay close attention to the borrower's experience and how they plan to exit. Even if they’re newer, if they’ve got a solid contractor, agent, and some skin in the game, I’ll consider it.

• Keep it within your LTV comfort zone: I personally don't go above 65–70% of ARV. If it's a heavy rehab or a tight deal, I either pass or structure it with a smaller draw to start.

• Protect your downside: Get yourself on the insurance, confirm the entity setup, and don’t skip verifying basic things like ownership and reserves. Your instincts will get sharper with every deal you look at. 

You'll definitely learn a ton just by walking through a few deals. Trust your gut — if something feels off, it usually is. And don't rush into funding something just because the borrower’s in a hurry

Also — I highly recommend getting plugged into your local investor community. Even just one good private lender or investor in your area can be a huge resource (or even a future partner). People are often more open to teaming up than you’d expect.

Hey Luis — sounds like you’re off to a strong start!

Biggest advice: keep surrounding yourself with experienced people (which you’re already doing), run your numbers conservatively, and stay focused on long-term cash flow. 

If you ever want a second set of eyes on a deal or need help with funding, I’m happy to be a resource. Keep going — you're on the right track!

Hey Andres — I’m an investor, lender, and broker. Great to see you diving into fix-and-flips!

Biggest tips:

• Network locally — connect with agents, wholesalers, and other investors.

• Build your team — find reliable contractors, a good agent, and a solid lender.

• Know your numbers — stick to conservative estimates and run comps carefully.

Happy to chat anytime if you want to run through a deal or need funding options down the line!

For those of you working on fix-and-flip projects, I’d love to hear your thoughts on managing the rehab process. Do you tackle most of the work yourself to save costs, or do you prefer hiring a general contractor to handle the project?

What are the pros and cons of each approach in your experience? Looking forward to hearing how you all manage your flips and any tips you have for others!

This is def possible. I have a few options who can do this if you'd like some help.