All Forum Posts by: Kerlous Tadres

Hey Marquis!

Start by educating yourself by reading books, listening to podcasts, and joining online communities like BiggerPockets. Network with other investors and attend meetups to find a mentor. Learn how to analyze deals using tools like the BiggerPockets calculator. Start small with a duplex or triplex, and focus on building relationships with experienced investors. Stay consistent, and you'll find your way!

Start by picking a market with strong rental demand, job growth, and affordable prices. Focus on areas where cash flow is solid and properties are still reasonably priced. Use tools like the BiggerPockets Calculator or DealCheck to analyze deals, focusing on cash flow, cash-on-cash return, and the 1% rule (monthly rent = 1% of purchase price). Don’t wait for the “perfect” market if a deal cash flows well and fits your goals, it’s likely a good investment.

Common pitfalls include underestimating repairs, not factoring in all expenses, and buying in areas with high vacancy rates. To get your partner on board, share the numbers and vision for long-term wealth. To overcome fear, start small, analyze multiple deals, and take action even if it’s just practicing with deals to build confidence.

It is a smart move to combine your mom's housing needs with your first investment. Look into the Family Opportunity Mortgage, which lets you buy a home for a parent with primary residence rates ideal for your situation. Condos can work well due to low maintenance, but be sure to check for HOA fees, and rental restrictions, and confirm it's a warrantable condo for smoother financing. Choose a unit that could later be rented out easily, treat the deal like any investment run the numbers, and document everything. This is a thoughtful and strategic way to start your portfolio.

With fixer-uppers, a conventional loan won’t cover the renovation costs. You’d only be approved for the purchase price or appraised value, whichever is lower. So you can’t get a $200K loan on a $100K property to use the rest for rehab.

If you want to finance both purchase and rehab, you'd need something like an FHA 203(k) loan (if you'll live there), a HomeStyle renovation loan, or use hard money or private funds and refinance after the rehab.

Turnkeys are easier and more passive. Fixer-uppers can build equity and offer better returns, but come with more work and risk. It just depends on your goals and how hands-on you want to be.

With fixer-uppers, a conventional loan won’t cover the renovation costs. You’d only be approved for the purchase price or appraised value, whichever is lower. So you can’t get a $200K loan on a $100K property to use the rest for rehab.

If you want to finance both purchase and rehab, you'd need something like an FHA 203(k) loan (if you'll live there), a HomeStyle renovation loan, or use hard money or private funds and refinance after the rehab.

Turnkeys are easier and more passive. Fixer-uppers can build equity and offer better returns, but come with more work and risk. It just depends on your goals and how hands-on you want to be.

Hey Vinod, welcome and congrats on your first two deals! As you grow, focus on refining your criteria (property type, returns, location) and surround yourself with a solid team agent, lender, contractor, and possibly a mentor. Leverage investor meetups and online forums to learn what's working in today’s market (creative financing, partnerships, off-market deals), and don’t be afraid to reach out to others. Real estate’s a relationship game as much as a numbers one.

You're already doing a great job by asking thoughtful questions and trusting your gut, huge first steps. What’s worked well for me is starting with small test projects to gauge how a contractor communicates and handles timelines, asking process-focused questions (like how they manage crews or deal with delays), visiting their current job sites to see how they operate in real time, and always having a detailed scope of work with a milestone-based payment plan. At the end of the day, you won’t fully know until you work with them, but these steps help you stack the odds in your favor.

Hey! Great to see you're getting started.

Right now, mortgage rates for investors are typically around 6.5–7.5%, depending on your credit, down payment, and loan type. It's smart to shop around with a few lenders, especially ones that work with investors (some offer DSCR or portfolio loans, which can be more flexible).

As for rent-to-price ratios, a solid benchmark is the 1% rule meaning if a property costs $150K, you’d want to get at least $1,500/month in rent. In today’s market, that’s still possible in some areas, especially with a little rehab or creative deal structuring.

The best strategy really depends on your goals. If you're trying to build fast and recycle your cash, BRRRR can work well. If you're looking to reduce your living expenses while starting out, house hacking is a solid move. And if you're in it for long-term cash flow and appreciation, buy and hold is always a strong play.

Most investors are being more cautious, focusing on minimizing risk by ensuring solid cash flow and having reserves. Waiting for the market to stabilize is fine, but if a good deal comes up, act on it. The key is sticking to the fundamentals, stress-testing your numbers, and not forcing deals in uncertain times. There's still opportunity, but it’s about moving smart.

Hey! Franklinton still has solid potential, especially if you're in it for 4+ years and focused on appreciation. The Gravity projects brought attention and some real momentum, but it's true progress has been uneven. Some areas are seeing major upgrades, while others still feel pretty rough around the edges.

If you buy in the right pocket close to development zones or where new builds are popping up there’s room for growth. Just make sure you really know the block you’re buying on. Price appreciation is still possible here, but it's definitely a block-by-block game.