All Forum Posts by: Kerlous Tadres

Insurance and taxes are hitting everyone hard. I recommend re-shopping insurance yearly with a landlord-savvy broker, raising deductibles if it makes sense, and always protesting property tax assessments, many investors win those.

For properties under $100K, especially with light rehab needs, I've found a mix of financing strategies tends to work best. Local credit unions and small banks are often more flexible on conditions and offer portfolio loans that don't have strict seasoning requirements. DSCR loans can be great if the rental income supports the debt, but minimum loan amounts can be a hurdle for cheaper properties. Private money is useful for speed or distressed assets, but always vet your lenders carefully. One key lesson: don't underestimate renovation scope, even "light" jobs can snowball.

Congrats on the great return, Nathan! With $750K to reinvest via 1031, I’d focus on buying 3–5 single-family rentals in strong, affordable markets with good cash flow and tenant demand. Start by locking down solid, turn-key properties to build your rental portfolio and get comfortable with managing tenants and expenses. Once you’ve stabilized those, you can scale by adding more units or exploring small multifamily deals.

Hi Kenya, if you're looking to buy near the University and rent to other students, focus on properties with 3–4 bedrooms and solid rent potential, especially those within 15–20 minutes of campus, ideally near bus lines or with parking. Your vision isn't unrealistic, but you might be overanalyzing. Run the numbers (rent vs. all expenses), get preapproved ASAP, and partner with an investor-friendly agent who knows the local rental market.

If your main concern is the size of the down payment and not monthly risk, then yes, leveraging your RSUs to boost your budget to $300K could open doors to better properties in stronger neighborhoods with more reliable tenants and less deferred maintenance. A cheap 4-plex at $200K can work, but it often comes with higher vacancy, repairs, and management headaches, especially for a first-time investor. It’s smarter to buy a quality property in a stable market, even if it’s smaller or more expensive, because long-term performance and tenant stability matter more than just the sticker price.

Hi Brenda, I'd say a bold move, but not necessarily too ambitious if you go in with eyes wide open. The numbers could work, especially if you can reposition to MTR and increase cash flow, but the success of this deal hinges on having a reliable, local contractor who can handle a fire-damaged property. That’s a completely different scope than cosmetic rehab. Since you’ve managed a major renovation before, you’re ahead of most first-timers, but without the right team on the ground, this could become a money pit. Get multiple bids, verify the structure is sound, and build in a solid contingency. If the margin is still there after that, it might be worth pursuing.

This sounds like a tough situation, especially being out of state. Unfortunately, unless you can prove the seller knew about the issue and intentionally hid it, like with testimony from the water company or a contractor, legal recourse will be limited. At this point, your best move is to get a second opinion from a licensed plumber to confirm the location and scope of the leak. The cost should be manageable if it's under the slab, but if it's outside, you’ll want to confirm before committing to a major dig. Also, review your inspection report to see if any red flags were missed. For future purchases, consider adding water sensors and flow monitors to catch these issues early.

Hey Orlando, make sure your lease includes a detailed late fee structure, outlining exactly when rent is due, any grace period, and what fees apply. It’s also smart to require tenants to report maintenance issues in writing within a set timeframe to avoid bigger problems down the line. Clarify who’s responsible for pest control and under what conditions, as that can get messy if not addressed. Include a clause prohibiting unauthorized occupants and long-term guests without written approval. Also, clearly state how lease renewals or non-renewals are handled like how much notice either party needs to give. Lastly, outline your right to enter the property, how much notice you’ll give, and what qualifies as an emergency.

Yes, you can hire a 203k consultant privately, and it’s a smart move for out-of-state investors. They’re trained to create detailed scopes of work and can perform inspections throughout the rehab to ensure quality and code compliance. Other good third-party options include independent home inspectors for phase-by-phase checks, construction managers or retired GCs for project oversight, architects or engineers for structural changes and some property managers who offer rehab oversight before leasing.

Hey Haden, 
This sounds like a solid value-add opportunity, especially near a college, but fire-damaged properties can hide a lot make sure the rehab numbers are accurate and check if the 6-unit setup is legally permitted. Run comps on similar properties, estimate post-repair rents, and see if the numbers justify the risk. Even if you’re not ready to jump in, analyzing deals like this is great practice.