All Forum Posts by: Ky Perry

Thanks for sharing this, Irene — super helpful breakdown 👏 I’m just getting started so I haven’t done my first BRRRR yet, but one big takeaway I’ve heard from others is to always leave extra room in the budget and timeline. Surprises seem to be the rule, not the exception. I like how you mentioned cross-checking scopes with the lender too — that’s something I wouldn’t have thought of. Appreciate you putting this out there!

Hey, I’m still new myself so I don’t have direct experience with Section 8 yet, but from what I’ve seen it can actually work really well with BRRRR since you’re locking in consistent rent payments and reducing vacancy risk. The challenge seems to be making sure your rehab lines up with the housing authority’s inspection standards so you don’t get delayed. I’ve also heard a lot of people recommend building a small go-to team of contractors you can rely on, even if it takes time to find the right ones. Curious to hear from others who’ve actually done it, but wanted to share what I’ve learned so far.

Hey everyone, I’m Kyron out here in Utah. I’m just getting started in real estate but really looking to connect with people who are interested in the Utah market. Lots of growth happening here and I think it’s a great spot for investors. If you’re looking at Utah or just want to connect, let’s chat!

Hey Greg, I’m pretty new myself and just starting out, but I’ve heard a lot of great things about The Book on Rental Property Investing by Brandon Turner and also The Millionaire Real Estate Investor by Gary Keller (sounds like you’re already reading Keller!). BiggerPockets forums and podcasts have also been huge for learning how people are actually applying these strategies in real life. Excited to follow your journey—sounds like you’re on a solid path already!

I’m still early in my journey, but from what I’ve picked up, a lot of investors use a per-door system — something like $250–$300 per unit, per year, just to cover basic maintenance. For bigger capex items (roof, HVAC, etc.), some people set aside a separate reserve or at least know the lifespan of those items so they can plan ahead. I’ve also heard others just keep 3–6 months of expenses as a safety net. Seems like everyone tweaks it based on their risk tolerance, but those are the common approaches I’ve come across.

Something I’ve learned while starting out is that local banks and credit unions can sometimes be more flexible than big banks when it comes to investment loans. They actually get to know you, not just your numbers. Definitely worth building those relationships early.

Hey Jeux, I’m also just starting out so I haven’t done any deals yet, but I’ve heard a few things that seem to work for beginners: partnering with someone more experienced, using a HELOC if you already own a place, and building relationships with small/local banks. For evaluating deals, a lot of people keep it simple with cash-on-cash return. Still learning myself, so I’d love to hear what’s worked for others too.

Sounds like a solid opportunity, Tony! Roofing sales can open a lot of doors, especially with a local company. Excited to see where it takes you—always cool to see how different paths tie back into real estate.

Hey Grady, congrats on building up 5 properties — that’s inspiring to see. I’m new to real estate and just getting started, so I’m trying to learn as much as I can from people who are ahead of me in the game. Really cool that you’ve done a mix of house hacking, small multifamily, and now STRs. Would love to connect and follow along with what you’re doing.

That’s a really smart way you’re thinking this through — especially not wanting to give up that 3.625% FHA rate, since that’s a huge advantage long-term. From what you’ve shared, a HELOC does sound like the best fit in your situation because:

• You’d keep your low FHA rate intact on your primary loan.
• You’d have flexibility to only draw what you need, when you need it (great for managing cash flow).
• You’d avoid paying interest on money that’s just sitting in an account.

The main trade-off is that HELOC rates are usually variable, so you’ll want to plan for potential fluctuations. But for what you’re describing — a property for family now, then scaling into rentals over the next 1–2 years — it sounds like a very practical path.

Curious to hear what other investors on here think too — has anyone used a HELOC recently in this market and been happy with it?