All Forum Posts by: Lateefah Mathews

Hey Kouede, Welcome to the family! What specific REI strategies are you interested in? It would definitely help if you could share, to help you align with the right investors.

Hey @Vida Lolitaa , I can speak for Georgia, but not necessarily the other states you mentioned. So, what's your end goal with the land? Are you looking to build, buy/hold, do something in the commercial arena, or farm land? This will help narrow down the best areas/sites since rural areas within 30 minutes of ATL look very different than NC or PA. There are multiple sites and avenues to find good deals, the key is aligning them with your goals so your search makes sense. 

@Hermia Bernard Welcome aboard! Congrats on getting your foot in the door and deciding to get started with REI. The books you chose are great, and I'm a huge fan of Robert Kyosoki. His work helped me a lot when I got started in REI, and I think his books have really aged with grace.

Newnan will be a great start for you to get your feet wet. Even if you're looking into a househack, the area has seen a lot of growth potential over the past few years. I also have family roots in Coweta and Troup counties, and most of my early investing years were spent there, so I know it's a decent market to explore.   

@Abad Marroquin IDK If they've been on Vrbo and Airbnb for several years, it makes zero sense not to have expense tracking...even new owners have "something" they can share. It could just be disorganization, sloppy bookkeeping, or the numbers haven't been looking good. Either way, don't ignore that. 

Also, AirDNA is a good tool add-on. You can pull historic averages, seasonality, and occupancy rates daily, monthly, and annually. This can also help you get a better picture of expense tracking and not just net performance from the seller.

Lastly, if the town isn't a popular destination spot, there has to be a "strong" reason why guests would book. No demand equals no bookings. Make sure you're buying performance, not just a price that looks like a good deal. 

@Vitaliy Zima how's it going? So the short answer is NO, you cannot advertise rent at one rate and then charge a higher rate somewhere else. That practice goes against Fair Housing Laws here in Georgia, and it's considered misleading and discriminatory to say the least. Also, keep in mind that not every HC Voucher is created equal. One approved recipient may have $1,500, and one may have less. So, it's not an even playing field where every HCV tenant automatically receives a voucher for $1,900 just because that's the limit in a specific area. 

Keep your posting at the rate you're seeking, and just note in the advertisement that Section 8 or Housing Choice vouchers are accepted. That way, you maintain transparency and fairness.  

Hey @Jared Michael Semana , that debate or comparison is very market-dependent. STRs and LTRs have their own "cash flow" dynamics, which really boil down to the specific city and neighborhood you intend to invest in.

STRs usually bring in a higher cash flow potential, but also come with higher operating costs, frequent guest turnovers, seasonal price adjustments, etc., etc. If you plan to operate in an area that's event-driven and has high tourism, it may definitely be worth it. 

LTRs, on the other hand, may not bring in as much cash flow, but the returns are steady and predictable. Lower turnover and less variable expenses = less volatility. If the RTP in your market is strong, then an LTR should be able to deliver competitive and reliable cash flow. 

Hey @Demetrius Black Welcome to the BP Fam! Congrats on scoring your first investment with your LLC! You definitely sound like you're clear about your goals and focused, which will get you far. So I'm wishing you much success with your future endeavors!

Hey @Ashley Mierez! Cash flow, equity & appreciation, I’m here for all three honestly. And of course, RTP plays a huge role as well, depending on the city & submarket you're buying in. But in today’s market, it’s tough to get all three right out the gate.

Now $1,200 out of pocket on an $820K quad (assumably), honestly, that's not bad at all. With your VA loan, that's 0 down, no PMI, and you keep what could've been upfront cash in your pocket. There's your brownie points.

But if you want to try and wipe that $1200 gap out, you could look at converting one or two of those units to an MTR/STR, which would probably bring in about 1.5–2x the rent of the LTR. That could balance your cash flow. Just keep in mind that you'll have to spend up front on furnishings and marketing.So it really comes down to whether you want immediate cash flow, or are you okay holding space for appreciation and equity, and letting year two cover you?

@Felipe Rivera yes, most of these laws slip under the radar very easily. However, what you're referencing is GHB 399, which came into effect 6/1/25. 

Self-management is no longer allowed for non-resident landlords, even if you previously qualified for exemptions. Your property manager must have a Georgia presence or be a Georgia-licensed broker.

Unfortunately, this bill was passed and gave OOS landlords zero leeway or grace to find a PM. In a nutshell, you are expected to be compliant from June 1st onward and need to acquire a PM or Broker ASAP. 

Hey @Carol Burns Ok, honestly, that's not sneaky. Babies are not considered legal occupants, and HUD guidelines protect families with children. Denying someone because of a baby could cross into fair housing issues.

The real focus should be on their credit picture and rental history. Are you actually running their credit? If they don’t qualify under your standards, that’s a valid reason to decline. But babies and dogs are comparing apples with oranges, two different categories, and babies don't create extra septic strain. Diapers and wipes shouldn't be flushed (I'm sure they know this), and that’s an education/lease issue, not a disqualifier. I’d keep it simple and base the decision on their credit and rental qualifications. Otherwise, you risk creating other issues for yourself.