Find an experienced and trusted general contractor who works efficiently with great quality.

Is it a light renovation, operational efficiencies, or a full repositioning?

There’s a TON of potential for AI in property management, but the line between “helpful efficiency” and “soulless automation” is real, and crossing it can damage trust with tenants.AI works best when it’s used to free up time for humans to be more human — not to replace genuine connection or common decency.

NEXT is getting it in the most efficient manner possible. 

We've found it has superior reporting features, integration features, and is overall more efficient to work within than other REI-specific software.The downside is QBO is not set up for REI so you'll need to do that or work with an expert to ensure it is set up for your business appropriately.

With two income-producing triplexes in rural Ohio and a construction company under your control, you’re in a unique position to scale your portfolio efficiently while managing costs.

But like any investment, success comes down to knowing your numbers and avoiding common pitfalls.Let’s break it down.The Numbers That Matter MostWhen you’re analyzing a deal, here are the metrics that should guide your decision:Cash Flow: Your rental income should exceed all expenses, even after you factor in the unit you’ll live in.Cash-on-Cash Return: Aim for at least 8–10% return on your invested cash.DSCR (Debt Service Coverage Ratio): Anything above 1.2 means the property easily covers its mortgage.Price Per Door: Compare with similar multifamily units so you’re not overpaying.Cap Rate: The higher, the better—just make sure the risk and location make sense.These checkpoints act like your compass, helping you spot good deals and avoid bad ones.Quick Reference: Summary TableHere’s a handy table you can use when evaluating your first (or next) house hack:Metric/TopicWhat to Aim ForWhy It MattersCash FlowPositive after all expensesEnsures property isn’t draining your savingsCash-on-Cash Return8–10%+ in most marketsMeasures efficiency of your invested capitalDSCR1.2+ idealShows the property can comfortably cover debt paymentsEquity for Refi20%+Required for conventional refinance and to drop PMIAppraisal PrepWell-documented improvementsHelps justify a higher property value during refinanceBeginner Mistakes That Can Sink a DealEven great properties can turn into headaches if you overlook the basics.

. 🙌  Super old school and not very efficient but I've been having a ton of success 1 on 1.

.• Long-term, I would handle all operations and decision-making, and my parent would receive passive income without having to be involved in day-to-day business.Where I’d love advice from this community is on structure and timing — especially if entity setup becomes essential for securing financing and scaling efficiently:• Would you recommend first leveraging equity through personal HELOCs and contributing those funds to an LLC — or is it smarter to set up the entity first and structure financing from there?

Always a lot cheaper and more efficient to run a document by an attorney for review than drafting from scratch.