Is this more of an income tax strategy?

You've listed two strategies for starting a new business (arbitrage, laundromat) and one strategy for acquiring your first asset (house hacking).While they can all generate income, be careful not to accidentally buy yourself a 100-hour/week job (I'm only exaggerating a little) when your stated goal is to invest in multifamily.

Does anyone have a expense/mileage/income tracking tool in Excel that they like?  

Because the Property Class dictates the Class of the tenant pool that the property will attract.The Tenant Class greatly impacts rental income stability and property maintenance/damage by tenants.Both Property Class and Tenant Class will affect what type of contractors, handymen and property management companies you should target and be willing to deal with a property.The Property Class will also impact the maintenance & renovations you do to, “Maintain to the Neighborhood”.Why is that important?

Consider meeting with a real estate-focused CPA to ensure you capture every deduction possible — including depreciation schedules, LLC expenses, and passive income losses that can offset other income.A little preparation now can make tax season smoother — and keep more of your hard-earned rental income in your pocket.

Each structure has pros and cons depending on your income levels, business goals, reinvestment strategy, and whether or not you plan to distribute profits.One of the key benefits of a C Corporation is the flat federal tax rate, which can be very attractive if you and your partners are in high personal tax brackets — especially if you’re planning to reinvest profits back into the business rather than distribute them immediately.That said, a C Corp also comes with its own downsides, like potential double taxation if you’re taking dividends.

I’m considering a 1031 exchange and would like feedback from investors who have experience with mobile home parks, particularly smaller, park-owned operations.Current Property (Selling):Duplex purchased in 2021 for approximately $145,000; estimated current value around $210,000\Loan balance: about $90,000Gross rent: $2,400 per monthNOI: approximately $16,000–$18,000 annuallyCash flow after mortgage: around $750–800 per monthLow management requirements and stable tenantsReplacement Property (Under Consideration):Seven-unit mobile home parkAsking price: $395,000Rent: $750 per unit plus $40 for water (total $5,530 per month; $66,360 annually)100% occupied with long-term tenants, several in place four to five yearsAll homes are park-owned, purchased between 2016–2018 with metal roofs and Hardie sidingOwner pays water and sewer (aerobic septic); tenants pay electric and trashMaintenance handled by one individual for $400 per month using personal equipmentGravel road, well maintained; potential to add one or two additional homesMy Pro Forma:Vacancy: 5%Expenses: approximately 40% of effective gross income (includes water, insurance, taxes, maintenance, mowing, etc.)Estimated NOI: $37,800Financing assumption: $255,000 loan at 8% interest, 25-year termAnnual debt service: approximately $23,574Projected cash flow: about $14,250 annually ($1,188 per month)Cap rate: approximately 9.6%Cash-on-cash return: around 10% on $140,000 downDSCR: 1.6 (strong coverage)If the price can be negotiated to the $360,000–$370,000 range, the cash-on-cash return improves to roughly 11–12%.Pros:Consistent, well-maintained units with matching exteriors.

Often, yes — especially if 2025 is a high-income year and you want a chunky deduction right now.

I’ve spoken with clients who are surprised when they realize how much of their disposable income and even potential down payment savings have been redirected to gambling.I believe it’s about reframing what “winning” looks like.

I wanted to grab the experienced investor's thought process of which is a good entry market to start in if you are starting from 0 properties and $50,000, and eagerly wanted to work your way up and why.Houston - Has inventory, no state income tax, and has better quality houses for cheaper.