All Forum Posts by: John McDonald

If you're an investor or flipper spending hours sorting through listings or driving neighborhoods, this will help. FlipSquad surfaces undervalued and overlooked properties using real-time market data and pattern analysis. It is built to save time and highlight high-potential deals.

If you're actively investing and looking for ways to find better deals, I’ve created on a tool that flags undervalued or overlooked properties based on real-time market activity. It’s designed for flippers and buy-and-hold investors who want to move quicker and make stronger offers without wasting time on dead leads.

I am looking for feedback from experienced investors who want an edge. Happy to connect if you’re curious.

Love the hustle. Bird dogging is a great way to break in and bring real value to experienced investors. If you haven’t already, check out FlipSquad. It helps surface distressed and undervalued properties so you’re not spending all your time and gas driving around. Could give you a solid edge when putting leads together.

You’ve got the right mindset. Hope you find a great investor to connect with. Keep going.

You're in the right place. Lots of people here have been through the same thing and are happy to help. Starting out can feel overwhelming, but taking it step by step makes a huge difference. Focus first on getting clear about your budget, ideal location, and what kind of home would work best for you and your kids, with considerations for schools. If you haven’t already, connect with a local agent who’s experienced with first-time buyers — they can help walk you through everything from financing to finding a place that feels right. You've got this!

Welcome and great strategy. House hacking is a smart way to get started. If you're open to creative setups, consider looking into properties near major hospitals where you can live in a converted garage or separate space and rent the main house to traveling nurses. It’s a solid alternative if a fourplex is hard to find, and nurses usually prefer private bathrooms and shorter-term leases, which can bring in substantial, consistent income. Homes are usually better priced and it will leave wiggle room to add small bathrooms.

Hackensack and Paterson are worth exploring with steady demand from nearby hospitals. FlipSquad helps surface deals that fit this kind of setup, link is in the bio if you want to take a look. Good luck with your first deal.

Congrats on the new assignment and welcome to the forum. Since you'll be at Maxwell AFB, I'd check out Cloverdale, Midtown, or Forest Hills. They're close to base and you can still find homes under $300K with attic or basement space that could be finished later. Just steer clear of anything too rough since VA appraisals can be picky. FlipSquad helps locate properties with upside like that. Wishing you the best with the move and the search.

It sounds like you’ve thought this through and are working with someone who knows the ropes, which is a great position to be in for your first deal. The numbers you’re projecting are reasonable, but I’d be cautious about relying too heavily on the $400 monthly cash flow figure just yet. Until the rehab is done, tenants are in place, and the refi is finalized, there are still a lot of moving parts. Rent could come in a little lower than projected, expenses could run a bit higher, or the refi appraisal or loan terms might not hit what you're targeting. All of that would shift the final cash flow.

The ROI sounds strong after refi, especially factoring in appreciation and tax benefits, but make sure you're running a few backup scenarios in case the ARV comes in light or rates don't improve. Since you're using all cash upfront, you'll be in a good position either way, but it's still worth testing the downside.

One thing you may want to double check is how Philly taxes and reassessments might affect your holding costs after the rehab. That’s one area that sometimes surprises people post-renovation.

Since you’re just getting started, I’d really consider looking local first if there are any workable options nearby. Being able to drive by the property, meet tenants, and handle issues yourself (at least early on) can give you a much better feel for what being a landlord is actually like. Out-of-state investing can work, but it adds a lot of complexity and relies heavily on having the right team in place. That’s not always easy to build from a distance.

Even if your first deal isn’t a home run, the experience alone will help you make smarter moves later on whether you stay local or eventually expand into other markets.

Your plan actually sounds really solid. Just a couple things you might want to double-check before jumping in:

• If you convert your current home into a rental, you could lose the capital gains tax break you’d normally get when selling a primary residence. It might not matter now, but it could down the road.

• Some lenders get picky with fixer-uppers, especially if the place needs a lot of work. Make sure the condition won’t cause issues with financing.

• With the condo in Atlanta, since HOAs and taxes have jumped, check that there's still strong demand. You’ll want to be sure you can sell quickly and hit the price you need for the 1031.

Not trying to change your direction, just pointing out a few things that could save you a headache later.