It’s the in-between work that lives in the cracks between systems and people.The biggest time drains I see consistently:Maintenance coordination and follow-upNot the repair itself, but:Chasing vendors for updatesConfirming completionVerifying qualityMaking sure invoices match the scopeThis becomes a loop of emails, texts, and reminders unless you have a very tight workflow.Tenant communication triageA lot of time gets burned sorting:What’s an emergency vs. what’s notDuplicate or unclear requestsRequests that should have been self-serviceWithout clear expectations and templates, every message becomes a custom response.Turnovers and make-readiesScheduling cleaners, painters, maintenance, inspections, utilities, and photos in the right order still requires a lot of manual coordination.

What drained time or money more than expected?

you may just be putting too much water into too small a pipe. sewers aren't generally meant to handle stormwater runoff, that water drain into the ground around the property. 

I completely understand chapters that drain time, energy, and mental bandwidth... we, and specifically I, entirely underestimate the toll those situations take. 

But even with two properties i have a termite bond, septic warranty, lawn maintenance, someone who sprays my lawn, pest control, a maintenance person to swap filters and check drains, etc.

Protect operations first, returns secondThe primary goal is not squeezing the best rate, it’s avoiding operational disruption:Keeping reserves intactAvoiding missed payroll, maintenance delays, or deferred work elsewhereMaintaining inspection and habitability standardsA “cheap” rehab that drains liquidity can cost far more downstream.4.

STR rules can change block by block. 

With markets feeling more segmented lately, I’ve been rethinking how I anchor ARV during early deal analysis.Instead of relying on a single comp or peak-sale comparison, I’ve been leaning toward:• ARV ranges (low / mid / high) rather than one number• Heavier weighting on the most recent 60–90 day sales• Noting spread between list vs. sold prices in the same pocket• Treating appreciation as a bonus, not a givenI’m finding that even within the same zip code, buyer demand and pricing tolerance can shift block by block depending on condition, financing availability, and buyer profile.Curious how others are handling market data right now:Are you tightening ARV assumptions, using wider ranges, or changing how you comp altogether?

Connecting with people who have solid boots-on-the-ground experience there is key, especially around tenant quality, property management, and block-by-block differences.

@Tove FoxDriving Park has been improving over the past few years, especially the sections closer to Nationwide Children’s Hospital and Livingston Ave, but it’s still very block-by-block, so it’s smart you’re digging into the details.