It’s awesome that you’re starting your real estate journey this early—most people spend years thinking about it before they ever take action, so the fact that you’re here and ready to learn already puts you ahead.

The big idea: lenders want predictability, not occupancy.House hacking only becomes a problem when:The investor is equity-based ANDYou remove income without replacing itIf you’re using private debt, house hacking doesn’t hurt them at all.If you’re using equity, just compensate for the missing rent.What most beginners miss:House hacking isn’t about the property cash flow, it’s about the personal cash flow delta.A deal that cash flows $500 less on paper may still put you $1,500 ahead monthly because you eliminated your housing expense.Investors don’t care about that benefit because it’s your benefit, not theirs.

I thought we could go ahead and opt into this.

-Signal of momentum: Major infrastructure projects like this highlight continued investment in Charlotte’s urban core — a positive signal for long-term property values.If you own or are targeting properties near South End, Uptown, Dilworth, or South Tryon, this project positions you ahead of future demand growth once the bridge opens.Charlotte-Area ZIPs With the Lowest Vacancy Rates (October 2025)These submarkets are showing vacancy rates below 10%, reflecting strong tenant demand and rental stability:ZIP Code​Vacancy Rate28092​ 4%280125%280526%286777%280818%281158%281348%282168%280369%280379%280279%281059%282179%280789%What this means:-Markets with ≤ 10% vacancy signal tight rental conditions and healthy absorption.

We have not ironed out any details yet but we will put together a joint venture agreement ahead of moving forward with any deals.

An in-house team allows us to work on a rolling backlog of non-emergency repairs such as seasonal work while responding to tenant requests and performing yearly inspections, which helps us get ahead of potential issues and keep an eye on the condition of each property. 

But for the first few deals, a spreadsheet is plenty.You’re already ahead by thinking of this like a business.

This problem has been building for a while now and appears to be coming to a head, not just with Blacktip, but with other Cape Coral area builders as well.

     - Establish clear criteria: Define your tenant selection criteria ahead of time and apply them consistently to every applicant to avoid discrimination

The fact that you’re taking the time to learn and analyze deals already puts you ahead of most.