All Forum Posts by: Arman Ahmed

@Gabriella Zettelmeyer

Hey Gabriella,

Blanket loans can be a great way to leverage multiple properties under one loan, but they're not super common for smaller portfolios with lower-valued rentals. Most lenders, especially those tied to Fannie/Freddie, will underwrite based on DSCR and property values, so it can be challenging with $100k properties.

Some local banks or credit unions might offer more flexible HELOC or blanket options with DSCR underwriting, but it usually requires a strong relationship and solid financials.

If you’re not looking to pay on the money monthly until you find a deal, consider talking to lenders about interest-only HELOCs or construction loans that fit your strategy.

Hope that helps

@William Montalto

For a first buy, especially using BRRRR, sometimes the stability and lower headache factor are worth a slightly lower COC return. Turnkey can give you breathing room to learn the ropes, build your contractor network, and get familiar with managing rentals before taking on heavier rehabs. A 6–7% COC in a stable, high-demand area can still be a solid long-term play—especially if there's potential for appreciation or rent growth.

@Josh Thomas

That’s a strange situation — CMHA usually only claws back payments if there’s a paperwork or inspection issue they believe was mishandled. I’d start by requesting a written explanation from CMHA directly (email + certified mail so it’s on record). If you still can’t get answers, you might need to loop in the tenant and see if they can contact their case manager or housing specialist. Sometimes going through the tenant gets you a faster response.

@Justin S.

Nice work on those builds — that’s a strong cost-to-rent ratio. Whether to refi higher depends on your goals and risk tolerance. Pulling more cash now can help you scale faster, but it also raises your monthly payments and lowers cash flow. Since you already have room to build 4 more, you might run side-by-side projections for both scenarios (max cash-out vs. minimal loan) to see which gets you to your semi-retire target faster without stressing your reserves.

@Marcus Rubright

Sounds like a fun first investment, Marcus! Seasonality definitely plays a role, but you can still make it work by adjusting pricing and targeting longer stays in the off-season. Just be sure to run conservative estimates using lower occupancy in winter and don’t forget to budget for cleaning, management, and platform fees.

Also worth checking:

• HOA rules on short-term rentals

• Local STR ordinances

• Historical comps (AirDNA or PriceLabs can help)

It’s great that you’d also personally enjoy the place — that’s a bonus!

@Harold Soto

Nice work, Harold — you’re making great progress across multiple markets!

BRRRR is solid, but you're right about the capital challenge. A few other ways investors scale without 20% down:

• Private money from friends/family or local networks

• Seller financing — especially from tired landlords

• Partnerships — you bring the deal, they bring the capital

• DSCR or portfolio loans once you’ve got some rental history

Creative financing can really open up options. Sounds like you’re building smart — just keep that momentum going!

@Radhika Akella

Great question, Radhika. Even with break-even or slightly negative cash flow, STRs can still make sense if you factor in things like tax write-offs (especially with bonus depreciation), principal paydown, and long-term appreciation. Just make sure you’re budgeting for all expenses — cleaning, utilities, repairs, vacancy, etc.

It can still be a solid long-term wealth play if you’re thinking beyond just monthly cash flow. Curious what market you’re in and what numbers you’re seeing?

@Stacy Unger

You’re on the right track! Driving for dollars has worked well for me — especially when paired with a tool like DealMachine. I also pull niche lists like tired landlords or vacant properties and hit them with mail, texts, or calls. Relationships with local agents and wholesalers help too. Consistency is key with off-market!

@Ismael El Hamdouchi

Love this post — always good to connect with other active investors. What’s been working for me lately is focusing on off-market deals and building strong relationships with agents and wholesalers. Seller financing has also opened up some great opportunities, especially in today’s rate environment. Curious to hear what strategies others are using to get deals done right now!

@Alvin Smith

Sounds like a great lead, especially with that location and curb appeal. Just be sure to check for any other liens and run comps to guide your max bid. Stick to your numbers and don’t get emotional at auction. Let me know if you need help analyzing it.