If the money can work harder somewhere else with less headache, that’s when I’d let a note go.

For buyers, notes can generate steady income without the headaches of managing tenants.Curious—has anyone here invested in real estate notes before?

Transparency up front saves a lot of headaches later.Since I work with a lending company, I often see how private capital bridges that gap for investors who need flexibility.

I have a motto: "the smallest deals come with the biggest headaches and smallest pay days".

That's $20,000 a year without lifting a finger.If I take my $500,000 and invest in a Smokies cabin earning $50,000 a year, I am buying a part time job and probably only netting $27,000 to $29,000 per year after the following expenses:Insurance - $3500 per yearTaxes - $2000 per yearUtilities - $6000 per yearRepairs & Maintenace - $7500 per yearHOA fees - $2000-3000 per year.Total expenses:  $21,000-$23,000 per yearIf I can earn $20,000 per year on my $500,000 with virtually no risk and no effort, versus another $6-8K for much more risk and headache, the juice isn't worth the squeeze. 

Permit delays are definitely a huge headache for many of us.

I've heard a few podcast episodes with hosts from Michigan and the township patchwork creates another layer of bureaucratic headaches.

. • Cons: Management headaches, market cycles, and more capital-intensive. 

If you want stability and fewer headaches, Metairie is usually a safer bet, but the trade-off is thinner returns unless you can add value.If you’d like, I can share some local contacts for insurance, property management, or lending who understand the unique challenges of this market.Hope that helps give you a realistic picture before you dive in.

When I asked why it was not caught on the inspection, the inspector told me that because there was no washer and dryer they didn't test it.We had only been living in the house about a month when I realized I was getting constant headaches that I had never had before and only when I was home.