In the meantime, I’d be interested to hear what you’ve found most effective locally for sourcing opportunities—whether through brokers, direct relationships, or off-market channels.KeithKeith

It's not effective as you think!

It uses AI to match the dollar amount from the utility bill to the transaction in your bank feed, effectively doing the "matching" for you.

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?

There isn't a great playbook for self managing effectively if you are in an hour long meeting or knee deep in work that you can't drop everything to coordinate a handyman or in the case of the septic issue, multiple vendors which is now going to take 4 days and $4K to resolve. 

Plain, simple, and effective.

I’m looking for some insight on how to structure an offer on a Fannie Mae REO I’m interested in, especially given some discrepancies in how the property is being represented.Key facts:Current listing: Advertised as a 3 bed / 1 bath at 1,850 sf.Issue: That square footage appears to include a partially finished basement, including a “room” with no proper egress, so it should not be counted as a legal bedroom or finished living area.Prior listing (2021): Previously listed as a 3/1 at 1,572 sf.Fannie/FNMA record: Federal National Mortgage Association currently has it as a 2/1 at 1,368 sf, which is much closer to reality based on what I’ve seen.Pricing history:Sold 7/14/2021 for $450,000.Trustee’s Deed consideration amount: $347,000 dated 10/18/2024.REO list price started at $489,900, then dropped around 2/16/2026 to $484,900.First Look: First Look period expired on 2/20/2026 at 21:00, so investors can now submit offers.My main concerns:The current list price seems to be based on an inflated square footage (counting the basement as living space) and as if it’s a 3/1, when in reality it’s functionally a 2/1 with a partially finished basement.Comps in the area should really be adjusted to the ~1,368 sf, 2/1 configuration, not 1,850 sf, 3/1.Fannie paid effectively $347K (per the Trustee’s Deed), but is trying to list it close to or above what it sold for in 2021, when it was arguably misrepresented then too.What I’m thinking:Have my agent pull comps based on 2/1 and ~1,368 sf only, ignoring the basement as finished living area, and value the property that way.Back into my maximum offer using:ARV for a 2/1 at ~1,368 sf.Less repairs/updates needed.Less my desired profit and holding costs.Use the misrepresentation of square footage and non‑egress “bedroom” as leverage, both in the initial offer and during any inspection/renegotiation.Questions for the community:For those who have bought Fannie Mae REOs recently, how aggressive can I realistically be on price once First Look has expired?

There's a BIG difference between "Rent-Ready" and "Sales-Ready", often 20%+ in rehab costs.Go look at other comparable rentals listed for rent.Your mantra should be, "Maintain to the Market"!

These controls are intentional and help us maintain a low fraud profile, but the communication should always feel constructive and solution-oriented.If you are open to it, I would welcome the opportunity to review your renovation payment needs and move you to the appropriate tier structure so you are not operationally constrained.

Clearer communications can reduce rollover mistakes, which often lead to unintentional taxable distributions, penalties, or lapses in retirement assets becoming SDIRAs.Source(s):IRS Notice 2026-13. 2) Deadlines & Key Dates Item Who It Affects Date / Timing Plan administrator safe harbor rollover explanations available Employer plans & rollover participants Effective now (Jan. 2026) Good-faith compliance period for Roth catch-up rules Employer plans Through 2026 (with 2027 broad applicability expected) 2026 traditional & Roth IRA contribution deadlines All IRA owners April 15, 2027 Note: Throughout 2026, IRS bulletins and final publications may refine these dates and procedures as additional guidance is released.3) Alternative Asset SpotlightPrivate Equity–Like Exposures in Self-Directed IRAsWhat this strategy looks like:Investors sometimes seek private equity–style returns inside an SDIRA by using vehicles such as: Regulated Alternative Funds (interval, closed-end funds structured under the Investment Company Act) Business development companies (BDCs) Direct minority equity interests in private companies, through permitted structuresThese exposures are not identical to direct startup investing and carry specific structural and regulatory requirements.