So, tenants will typically be attracted to a newer rental vs older - all else being the same.- Reality though, is that "all else" is rarely the same as most new homes are built in subdivisions - so, location compared to an older home will be different.Biggest difference is deferred maintenance.Most owners allow their SFR properties to degrade over time to maximize cashflow.

What areas around Nashville are you seeing the most consistent margins right now — are investors leaning more toward the suburbs or still finding deals in-town? 

There are a few flipped houses around the area, but those houses are just not comparable.

Open to all feedback.Thank you in advance. 

Somewhere around April we will have enough saved to jump into our next deal.We are looking to get in touch with local groups and start building a team. 

I have a strong interest in the market here and would love to connect with like-minded people who are either investing locally or have boots on the ground.Also I am A&M football season ticket holder, so if you’re around for any of the games this season, I’d love to meet up, tailgate, and network.

. - I hope you won't mind me adding to your saying: "All CPAs are accountants, but not all accountants are CPAs; Not all CPAs and accountants understand Real Estate.

I work with a lot of folks buying STRs around Ithaca and Watkins Glen.

You're asking all the right questions, in advance. 

The opportunity: Tighten operations around three levers—Cost, Time, and Revenue—while de-risking each flip with disciplined underwriting and execution.1) Cost: Tame Labor & Materials Without Gutting QualityValue-engineer the scopePrioritize visible ROI items: paint, flooring, lighting, curb appeal, kitchens/baths (surface updates > layout changes).Replace, don’t relocate: keep plumbing and electrical in place when possible.Use finish tiers (Economy / Mid / Premium) per neighborhood comp set; avoid over-improvement.Lock pricing earlyGet three-bid packages per trade with identical scopes, photos, and SKUs.Negotiate 30–60 day price locks on materials; ask for bulk-buy or “contractor pack” discounts.Use allowances (e.g., $2.50/sf flooring) with pre-approved SKU lists to control change orders.Build a dependable labor benchMaintain a preferred-vendor roster (primary + backup) for each trade.Offer fast pay terms (e.g., net-7 on verified milestones) in exchange for pricing and priority.Test small jobs first; promote trades to your A-list only after on-time, on-budget performance twice.Standardize to reduce wasteCreate repeatable finish schedules (same trim profile, faucet line, paint palette) so crews work faster and leftovers are reusable.Pre-kit jobs: one delivery per room (box includes all hardware, fixtures, and consumables).Contracting disciplineUse fixed-scope, milestone-based contracts with:Progress draws tied to inspections/photosNo deposit or minimal mobilizationLien waivers at each drawDaily liquidated damages for missed deadlines (after grace period)Written change order policy with price + time impact before work proceeds2) Time: Move Faster to Reduce Carry and RiskFront-load planningWalk the property with all key trades before closing; finalize scope, bids, and schedule ahead of day 1.Pull permits early; choose scopes that avoid structural or major MEP reroutes when timelines matter.Sequencing & overlapSchedule parallel workstreams (e.g., exterior/landscaping while interior demo proceeds).Use a Gantt chart (even a simple spreadsheet) to track trade start/finish, dependencies, and buffers.Daily control15-minute stand-up with GC or project lead each morning (photos + punch list).Two inspections/week: one quality, one progress vs. schedule.Keep critical spares on hand (breakers, valves, GFCIs, common trim, extra boxes of flooring).Tech + templatesSimple tools (Google Drive + shared photo folders, or apps like Buildertrend/Jobber) for scope sheets, punch lists, and photo proof.Use QR codes in rooms linking to the finish schedule for fewer “what goes here?”