All Forum Posts by: Joshua Hardin

Matthew — brother, that’s a heavy load to carry. I’ve seen how seller-financed deals can turn sideways fast when trust and structure break down. Sounds like you’ve done the right thing keeping the tenants protected and moving through the legal path instead of reacting emotionally — that takes restraint and leadership.

A few thoughts from experience:
1️⃣ Document everything. Photos, messages, dates, and costs — they’ll all serve you later, especially if the court has to distinguish between the buyer’s negligence and your good-faith actions.
2️⃣ Reframe this legally as dual issues: a contract breach under the note and unauthorized occupancy/trespassing under property law. Keeps the case clean for your attorney to navigate both fronts.
3️⃣ Don’t chase blood from a stone. Focus on repossession and preservation first, collections second. Recovery comes through positioning the asset again, not emotional bandwidth wasted on the defaulters.
4️⃣ Consider title cleanup and protective clauses for the future. Add a “performance deed” or “reverter clause” in future seller-financed deals. They automatically revert title if default terms are breached, cutting legal delay next time.

You handled this with far more integrity than most would under that stress. Stay the course, keep your head cool, and lean into professionals who specialize in contract for deed litigation or unauthorized occupancy under state code.

You’ll come out stronger — and far sharper — on the other side of this.

— Joshua I "Sarge" I Renewed Legacy Group

Cory — brother, this one hit home. That’s not just a success story — that’s a survival story dressed in drywall dust. 💪

You didn’t just remodel a house; you rebuilt your resilience. The way you owned the termite chaos, juggled the financing, and still walked away standing — that’s the real win. Anyone can underwrite a deal; few can lead one through the storm and still carry the lesson forward with gratitude.

Love how you mentioned the cost seg study too — that’s the kind of strategic thinking newer investors skip when they’re only chasing flips. You turned a near knockout into a long-term cash flow play and reclaimed your capital. That’s next-level stewardship.

Respect to you, man. Keep shining that light in Knoxville — stories like this keep the rest of us grounded and fired up at the same time. 🔥

— Joshua I "Sarge" I Renewed Legacy Group

Hey Colton — welcome to Tennessee and to the BiggerPockets family. 👋

You’re in a great place to start — Knoxville’s got strong community roots and plenty of creative opportunity if you lead with service instead of speed. My wife and I began the same way: new city, new mission, same dream of freedom.

A few quick thoughts from the field:
1️⃣ Start by serving your market, not chasing it. Meet local agents, contractors, and neighbors — ask what they need, not just what’s for sale. Relationships build deal flow.
2️⃣ Walk streets before spreadsheets. Drive neighborhoods, grab coffee with investors, and listen more than you talk early on.
3️⃣ Keep family at the center. Real estate can buy freedom, but it shouldn’t cost connection.

You’re already doing the right thing — learning, connecting, and grounding yourself in purpose. Keep that heart posture and the right deals will follow.

Welcome to the mission, brother. Knoxville’s lucky to have you. 💪

— Joshua I "Sarge" I Renewed Legacy Group 

Hey Deb — welcome to the community and congrats on stepping into your third act. That’s a powerful season to build from — one filled with perspective, patience, and purpose.

You’ve already done the hardest part: deciding to start. 🎯
Now it’s about direction and connection.

A few thoughts from experience:
1️⃣ Clarity beats speed. Decide why you’re investing before worrying about what to invest in. Cash flow? Legacy? Service? That answer will shape every move.
2️⃣ Stay in proximity to encouragement. This forum can be gold if you seek collaboration instead of comparison.
3️⃣ Action compounds. Even the smallest steps — analyzing one deal a week, reaching out to one investor — start building momentum fast.

You’re in great company here, Deb. The third act isn’t a slowdown — it’s a summit climb. And the view’s worth it. 👏

— Joshua I "Sarge" I Renewed Legacy Group

Hey Daniel — welcome aboard, brother. 👏

I respect the pivot you’re making. Leaving a steady path after a layoff and leaning into commercial real estate isn’t easy, but it’s often where real purpose starts to show up. Your background in EV charging sales actually gives you a solid edge — you understand infrastructure, location strategy, and energy systems. That perspective translates beautifully into CRE site selection, development, and asset positioning.

A few quick thoughts as you make the transition:
1️⃣ Leverage what you already know. Position your past as value — not a detour. EV and sustainability are massiveconversation points in modern CRE.
2️⃣ Network with intent. When you get back to Atlanta, look for local CRE meetups, chamber events, and NAIOP(commercial real estate development association). Shake hands. Tell your story. People respect bold transitions.
3️⃣ Learn the capital stack and creative finance side. Understanding how deals actually get funded will separate you from 90% of new entrants.

I made a similar jump myself — and it's been one of the most fulfilling moves I've ever made. If you'd like, I can share a few templates or books that helped me make sense of the CRE world from a relationship-first perspective.

Welcome to the field, Daniel. The mission continues. 💪

— Joshua I "Sarge" I Renewed Legacy Group

Hey Samantha — great questions. You’re already ahead of most by digging in before you dive in.

1️⃣ Taxes appearing twice:
In the BP calculator, one is property taxes (an operating expense). The other is income taxes (estimated taxes on your profit). Property taxes affect your NOI, income taxes don’t — they’re applied later to your cash flow after debt service. You can usually turn that income-tax field off if you just want a clean NOI view.

2️⃣ Finding a lender for smaller commercial deals ($215K):
You’re right — most commercial lenders don’t like deals under $500K. Try local community banks or credit unions, they love relationship-based lending and smaller balance sheets. You could also explore SBA 7a or 504 loans or even a creative structure like seller financing or a wrap loan if the seller’s open to it.

3️⃣ NOI vs. existing loans:
NOI is independent of any owner’s financing. It’s the property’s raw operating performance: income – expenses (no mortgage). The loan only affects the cash flow to you, not the property’s NOI. Think of NOI as what the property produces before debt; that’s how investors compare apples to apples.

Keep digging — storage can be a great niche once you learn the levers.
If you'd like, I can share a quick example template I use to separate NOI, DSCR, and true cash flow.

Keep at it — you’re on the right path. 👏

— Joshua

Jason 🙌 love the hustle, man — going out and finding 17 properties already puts you miles ahead of most beginners. That drive is what this business is built on.

A quick thought: don’t box yourself in with just one strategy (like wholesaling). The real wins often come from being a creative problem solver. Every seller and every property has its own story, pain point, and potential. Sometimes that looks like wholesaling, sometimes it’s a sub-to, a wrap, a partnership, or even keeping the deal yourself with seller financing.

Keep learning multiple exits so you can serve each seller the best way possible — not just get a deal done, but solve a problem and build a relationship. That’s where legacy and long-term success start. 🌱

Keep up the great work — 17 leads means you’re already in motion.

— Joshua Hardin | Renewed Legacy Group
Army Veteran | Chattanooga, TN

Lori 🙌 totally hear your frustration — you’re not alone. Every investor hits that “nothing pencils out” wall at some point, especially when markets shift. The truth is, it’s not that Tennessee is a bad market — it’s just maturing, and that means deals take a sharper eye and a little more creativity.

You’re wise to stay within driving distance — managing your first property personally is where you learn the real lessons. You might consider looking just outside your main market — smaller towns 30–60 minutes from Knoxville often still hold cash flow potential if you’re patient.

Another thought: use this season to build your systems, relationships, and financing options. When the right deal pops, you’ll be ready to move fast and smart.

Don’t throw in the towel — frustration is often the last mile before the breakthrough. Keep the faith, sharpen the pencil, and trust that your first deal will find you when the numbers and purpose align. 🌱

— Joshua Hardin | Renewed Legacy Group
Army Veteran | Chattanooga, TN

 Welcome to BiggerPockets, Tom! 👋
Great to have you here, brother. This is one of the best places to learn, grow, and connect with people who genuinely want to see each other win. Keep that curiosity alive — it’s the first tool of every great investor. Excited to see your journey unfold! 🌱

— Joshua Hardin | Renewed Legacy Group
Army Veteran | Chattanooga, TN

Ethan 🙌 first off, huge respect. At 22, sitting on savings and zero living expenses is an incredible launch pad. Pairing that with a real estate license and BRRRR mindset gives you tools most people twice your age are still chasing.

A couple thoughts:

• Pictures lie (you already know this) — Zillow won’t tell you about plumbing, electric, structural surprises, or city permitting challenges. Walkthroughs and trusted local eyes are critical before running numbers too tight.
• Philadelphia markets like Strawberry Mansion can deliver great returns, but they also come with nuance — neighborhood pockets shift quickly, and comps don’t always tell the full story. If you don’t have boots on the ground you trust, partner with someone local.
• Your pro forma is smart — but I'd run conservative numbers with higher rehab and lower rent assumptions, especially on your first BRRRR. A buffer is not wasted profit; it's the margin that saves your deal.
• Most importantly: don't let the excitement blind you. You're not just chasing ROI — you're laying the first brick of your legacy. Make it a solid one, even if it takes longer to place. 🌱

Cheering for you, man. Your discipline at 22 is already setting you apart.

— Joshua Hardin | Renewed Legacy Group
Army Veteran | Chattanooga, TN