All Forum Posts by: Micah White

Hey there! First off—major congrats on the new job and the smart move you made in Milwaukee. That low mortgage + equity cushion gives you a ton of flexibility, and it’s great to see you thinking ahead about how to turn your next move into an investment opportunity.

I actually help first-time investors—especially those in transition phases like you—run the numbers, explore local markets, and put together clear, step-by-step action plans to find the right house hack or mid-term rental strategy. I'm based in Chicago and work with folks looking in neighborhoods just like the ones you mentioned (Oak Park, Berwyn, Cicero, etc.), so I’d be happy to help you figure out which areas balance solid rental demand, commute feasibility, and long-term upside.

The fact that you’re giving yourself 12 months to be intentional is huge—this is exactly the type of scenario where a bit of planning up front can lead to a great deal that sets you up for years. If you ever want to hop on a quick call to talk through strategy or get a second set of eyes on deals you’re analyzing, feel free to reach out! I’d love to support however I can.

This is awesome, congrats Bobby! It sounds like you're ready to take that first step and put your money to work! To your point, tenant screening is KEY. You MAKE the money on the buy but you KEEP the money by managing the property correctly. Happy to answer any questions you have!

Hi Natasha!

There are great flipping opportunities in Ohio. Especially near the universities. It would be helpful to know a little more information about your current financial standing. That way I can better help you come up with a solid plan for your next investment! Feel free to reach out!

Sorry to hear that about your property. But you've come to the right place, Gabriel. Honestly, given that the CT market is pretty tight, i'd be curious to hear how much cash you have to put towards your next investment. That would help me come up with a better fit solution for you.

Hey Josiah! 

Love that you're a fellow Indy guy. I'd be happy to help you on your journey. Feel free to reach out with any questions you may have! 

I'd have to say Tennessee. It's seen a lot of growth in recent years, it's landlord friendly, and there's a lot of desirable low crime areas that are investable!

This is an awesome story! Are you still looking to do a cash out refi? Or did you successfully accomplish that?

Hey Brandon! 

Welcome to the BP community! We're all glad you're here. You're off to a great start. Educating yourself is the first step! Happy to answer any questions you may have while you start your journey!

We all go into our first deal (or even our third!) thinking we’ve asked all the right questions and done all the due diligence…

But there’s always something you don’t catch until after closing. 😅

So here’s a question for the group:

👉 What’s one red flag you missed before closing on a property — and how did it bite you later?

Could be:

A weird clause in the lease

Bad plumbing hidden behind fresh drywall

Tenants who “paid on time” only because the seller covered their rent

A contractor who ghosted once the ink dried...

I’ll go first: On one of my first rentals, I didn't have a great grasp of how the electrical meters and gas lines were set up at the building and it ended up costing me over $1,000 because I connected a gas dryer to a tenant's gas line and had to repay them and buy a whole new electric dryer for the building. Now, I ALWAYS look into how the buildings are metered before closing on a deal.

Would love to hear your stories — especially for the folks just getting started. It helps more than you know.

Hi Renee!

Welcome to BP! You're in the right place to get all the information you need on taking that next step and investing in real estate. Happy to help answer any questions you may have! 

Also, Chicago isn't the worst market for STR investing, as long as you know how to tackle it 😉