How do you determine the right balance of work vs. potential return in a live-in reno?

We can definitely add value to each other's goal as I'm in Houston as well and work with investors trying to achieve the same goals you've mentioned.

Hello BP Community,We’re under contract to sell our primary home in Indiana, and I could really use some advice on tax strategies—specifically, a Deferred Sales Trust (DST).Here are the key details:Purchased in 2010 for $499KUnder contract to sell for $2.499M (closing scheduled for December 2, 2025)Current mortgage balance: $94KThis leaves us facing a sizable potential tax burden.From my research, a Deferred Sales Trust seems like the only option to mitigate the tax hit.

We're pulled in 5 directions at all times, balancing the needs, of the client, residents, contractors, the local Govt, and our own profit needs. 

Both figures are near the 6.5 months that the Texas A&M Real Estate Center considers a balanced market.Homes spent slightly longer on the market, with Austin averaging 66 days (up 6 days year-over-year) and the metro averaging 68 days (up 7 days).

I get a balance sheet and an income statement.

With the right mindset and a bit of financial discipline, you truly can achieve financial freedom through real estate, potentially in around 10 years.

You will have to be selective in your strategy to achieve that.

Consider what you want to achieve, whether it's generating passive income, building equity, or diversifying your investment portfolio.

This means that you will be able to maintain your current standard of living indefinitely.Prices will rise fast enough that you will be able to acquire additional properties using the accumulated equity through cash-out refinancing, thus requiring limited additional capital to achieve financial independence.In summary, if your goal is liquidity, then stocks are your better option.