If a child is injured, you could face uncovered liability.Action:Notify your insurance provider about the babysitting activity.Ask if you need a rider or special endorsement for in-home childcare, even for a small number of children.Require your renter to obtain liability insurance for her babysitting, if possible.Summary ChecklistContact local zoning office to confirm compliance and permit needs.Limit care to three unrelated children at a time to avoid state licensing.Update your insurance and require your renter to have liability coverage.Put an agreement in writing with your renter outlining these rules and responsibilities.Bottom line:If your renter only babysits up to three children at a time (not including her own), she is likely exempt from state licensing, but you must confirm local zoning allows it and address insurance liability to protect yourself and your property

What You’ll WinEveryone who submits 7 completed deal analyses will be entered into a random drawing to win:1-Year BiggerPockets Pro MembershipFree General Admission Ticket to BPCon 2025$100 Gift Card to BP BookstoreThis is your chance to get serious reps analyzing deals, sharpen your investment criteria, and maybe even uncover your next great opportunity.Let’s see what you’ve got.

Hey sherryyyyy :) MTR is great but we always recommend blending with STR (obtain an STR permit as well) to fill in the gaps.

.********** – Online auction platform for distressed public and private properties.Xome Auctions – MLS + auction blend; alerts for homes headed to auction.💼 Investor-Specific Platforms (Alerts + Data)BiggerPockets – Set alerts on the Marketplace and forums, plus deal calculators and networking.DealMachine – Driving for dollars app with alerts for follow-ups, ownership changes, and lead tagging.Roofstock – Alerts for turnkey, tenant-occupied single-family rentals with yield and cash flow metrics.🌾 Land-Specific (With Alerts)LandWatch – Alerts for land by use (e.g. residential, hunting, timber); great filters.Land and Farm – Similar to LandWatch; ideal for agricultural, rural, and raw land.🤏 Niche or Strategy-Specific (Use If Applicable)FSBO.com – Alerts for new for-sale-by-owner listings; often off-market or underpriced.Rent to Own Labs – Niche site for lease-option or rent-to-own deals.Oodle – Classified-style site that may reveal FSBO or under-the-radar deals.Buildium – Primarily a property manager tool, but sometimes useful for finding rental listings.LoopLender – For financing commercial deals found on LoopNet; includes deal alerting features.These websites provide a variety of tools and data that can help you find real estate opportunities efficiently.ConclusionBy setting up automatic alerts on these websites, you can streamline your search process, save time, and increase your chances of finding profitable real estate investments.

You're navigating a unique hybrid opportunity with this VA assumption + gap financing model, so let's walk through the best options to minimize your out-of-pocket (OOP) while protecting long-term upside.Strategy: Blend of Negotiation, Creative Financing & Leverage1.

What’s powering the momentum is a blend of smart planning, steady population growth, and a welcoming environment for real estate development.🏡 Key factors driving investment activity:Population + Job Growth: With consistent in-migration and a strong manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare base, Greenville is seeing healthy rental demand across multiple price points.Emerging Submarkets: Areas like Fountain Inn, Mauldin, and Greer are gaining traction as entry points for investors priced out of core neighborhoods.

Lots of investors see this “government guaranteed” rent at a higher level than “free market” rent and think they’ve uncovered a gold mine.Perhaps some have.  

Since you’re already looking at Michigan and Ohio, you’re off to a strong start.Where to Focus in MI & OH:Here are some cash flow–friendly markets that still align with your criteria:Michigan:Grand Rapids – competitive but strong tenant base and decent appreciationKalamazoo – overlooked, stable rental demand, decent inventoryLansing – government/college town, strong PM optionsBattle Creek – good price-to-rent ratio, light rehabs commonOhio:Columbus – solid Class B areas with strong rental demand (Hilliard, Grove City)Dayton – better cash flow, lots of light rehab/turnkey opportunitiesCleveland – great for cash flow, but pick zip codes carefully (stick with west side or near hospitals/universities)Cincinnati – blend of appreciation and cash flow, but need local insightTips for a “Cash Buyer + Out-of-State + Turnkey-ish” Strategy:Leverage Turnkey ProvidersUse carefully vetted turnkey operators - many offer:Properties in Class B– neighborhoodsLight rehabs completedVetted property management in placeVet the Property Manager HARDEspecially if you're investing from Seattle and can’t swing by easily, your PM will make or break your investment.Cash = Speed + LeverageUse your ability to close fastPrioritize School Districts & Low CrimeEspecially in the Midwest where street-by-street comps matter.

In my opinion, blend the two together.

We reach out to current owners at least once a month to gather feedback and uncover new opportunities.