All Forum Posts by: Terrance Teague

Hi Trevor,

Great to see you're exploring ways to bring your middle housing model to the U.S. and possibly Texas!

I highly recommend looking into the Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) market here in Texas. Several cities and suburbs within DFW are beginning to welcome missing middle housing, especially areas focused on housing affordability. Texas zoning can vary by municipality, but there are pockets where  multifamily development are gaining momentum.

Cities like Dallas, Arlington, and Denton are all worth a closer look. 

Construction costs here are generally lower, and Texas has no state income tax, which is attractive from an investor's standpoint. Plus, with DFW's rapid population and job growth, there's real demand for multi-unit housing that fills the gap between single family homes and large apartment complexes.

Feel free to reach out if you want to discuss further!

Hi Max,

Now that you’re sitting on 450K and have a strong network, you’re in a great position to scale!

Have you considered investing in the Dallas/Fort Worth market? DFW continues to show strong population and job growth, business friendly climate, and diverse housing demand across multiple submarkets. Whether you're looking for cash flow, appreciation, or value adding opportunities, DFW offers a wide range of options from B-class single-family homes to small multifamily and BRRRR-friendly areas.

 With your experience and connections, DFW could be a great market to take your investing career to the next level.

Looking forward to hearing what you do with the 450K!

Hi Nereyda,

Welcome to the community and congratulations on taking this first big step! Just posting here already puts you ahead of many. 

You don’t necessarily need $20K or perfect credit to get started in real estate investing. Stick around BiggerPockets, listen to their podcast, and read beginner-friendly books like "The Book on Rental Property Investing” by Brandon Turner or “Set for Life” by Scott Trench. These both are good books for beginning investors to read. 

Consider wholesaling, house hacking, or partnering with others who may have capital but need help finding deals.

Go to free local meetups, real estate investor meetings, or events. People are often willing to share knowledge, mentor, or even partner, especially when they see your enthusiasm and consistency.

You’re in the right place, and you’re not alone. Keep showing up, asking questions, and taking action.

Good luck!

Hi Arthur,

Welcome! Sounds like you're setting yourself up for success by getting hands-on experience early, and working in both the mortgage industry and property management will give you a huge advantage when you start doing deals.

Don’t worry about not having big buying power yet! Knowledge, networking, and hustle can often open doors even before your own capital does. Stay active here, ask lots of questions, and don’t be afraid to share your wins (and lessons learned). The BP community is a great resource.

Good luck!

Hi Debra,

I think it's smart that you're thinking critically about REI! A lot of people jump into real estate investing without considering the bigger trends.

That said, I don’t believe the window has closed, but markets everywhere are definitely constantly changing.

While the total U.S. population growth has slowed, people are moving more than ever. Certain states like Texas, Florida, Tennessee, the Carolinas are still seeing strong demand, even as other regions shrink. Real estate is hyper-local, it’s not just about national trends.

Yes, interest rates are higher now than the last decade. But if you buy smart you can always refinance later if rates drop, and if they don’t, you’re still holding a cash-flowing property.

Real estate moves in cycles, just like stocks. There will be downturns and slow periods, but historically real estate has been a strong wealth-building investment over the long term, especially for those who buy during "uncertain" times when others are scared.

There’s still plenty of opportunity, but you have to be more selective, focus on cash flow, good locations, risk management, and think long-term.

Good luck out there!

Hi Fabio,

Great question! 

Here are a few ways I've seen that can get you better comp data:

MLS Access- If you're an agent or work with one, the MLS is hands-down the best source for accurate sold prices and property details.

PropStream / Privy / PropertyRadar- These are paid tools that pull public records and MLS data where available. Super helpful if you're running comps often.

County Appraisal District / Public Records- Some counties post sale prices through the appraisal district websites (though not always 100% reliable in non-disclosure states).

Title Companies- In some areas, a title rep can help you pull comps from their system if you’re a serious buyer or planning to close deals through them.

Hope this helps, good luck!

Hi Mahmuda,

It's s a tough situation, and it’s clear you’re trying to balance both financial sense and family needs.

Paying the $3,000 fine to break the management contract might feel painful now, but if keeping the house isn’t aligning with your long-term goals, it could be worth it to free yourself up to make a better move for your family.

Selling the property sounds like the easiest solution. If the house is aging, needs work, and is barely cash-flowing even with a great mortgage rate, you’re likely better off putting that equity to work somewhere else. 

A higher mortgage rate is definitely something to weigh, but buying a newer, lower-maintenance house for your family might outweigh the pain of a higher rate—especially if your family plans to stay there long-term.

You’re asking all the right questions, trust yourself!

Hi Jamaal,

You're definitely doing the right thing by protesting!

Based on what you shared, $650K is a decent reduction from the original $690K, but it’s still about $120K above your purchase price from just a little over two years ago. In Dallas County, it’s not uncommon for DCAD to "float" values higher unless you really push back at the ARB hearing.

If your main goal is to minimize your taxes as much as possible, and you're willing to spend a little more time on it, I would personally recommend proceeding to the ARB hearing. At the hearing, you can present your 2023 purchase price and argue that even with some market appreciation, a jump to $690K (or even $650K) is excessive compared to your actual market value.

Also, I wouldn't stress too much about not having a ton of comps, your recent closing disclosure and settlement statement are strong evidence, especially if you emphasize the property's current condition hasn’t materially changed. Sometimes, just showing up and being prepared can move the needle in your favor.

Good luck!

Hi Vanessa,

Absolutely agree with you, communication really is the key to successful property management!

To add to your point, I’ve found that setting expectations early makes a big difference too. Whether it’s explaining how the maintenance process works or giving a heads-up before lease renewals, proactive communication helps prevent issues before they even come up.

And you're right, happy residents stick around, and owners who feel informed and confident are much more likely to send referrals your way. Everyone wins when communication is a priority.

Thanks for sharing!

Hi Joe,

Great question, and you’re absolutely right to think through the pros and cons before committing to a 24-month lease.

In Texas (and nationwide), military families do have protections under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), which allows them to legally break a lease if they receive new orders or are deployed. That’s why I typically recommend offering 12-month leases for military tenants. It gives them flexibility and protects you from being locked into a long-term lease that may end early anyway.

Twelve-month terms also give you a more frequent opportunity to adjust rent, assess the property’s condition, and respond to any changes in the market.

That said, military tenants are often very responsible and great tenants, just something to keep in mind as you make your decision.

Best of luck,