Underwriting tips I wish I knew soonerUnderwrite conservatively (rents slightly low, expenses slightly high)Assume vacancy even while house hackingSeparate utilities = big long-term winOlder duplexes hide CapEx (sewer, roof, electrical)Ask: Does this cash flow once I move out?

We require them to get the insurance in all cases, and we either have them provide a screen shot of their coverage or we have them provide the agent's name so we can call and check coverage just like we call to make sure they have opened their utility accounts in their name as of the day of move-in.

Rent growth from improved layouts, better finishes, utility billing, laundry, parking, storage, or better tenant profile often matters more than knocking down walls.They shorten timelines.

Then there are the challenges with Section 8 tenants paying utilities and taking care of their rental property.

For most of my career, I’ve operated inside institutional platforms, closely involved in deal evaluation, asset management, and capital markets — but always as part of a larger machine.I’ve been very involved in asset management, including business plan execution, operating performance reviews, budget and capex oversight, interaction with property managers and operators, and decision-making around hold, refinance, or sell.

I even provide my clients and students with a comprehensive property tour checklist that includes all the essential photos they should take.To ensure that you gather all the necessary information during property tours, it's wise to utilize checklists and capex estimators.

Obviously, you have every right to attempt this on your own by utilizing resources provided by the IRS.

It is very detailed, and utilizes their license number in addition to social and requires their permission. 

There's a lot of nuance that goes into determining if a cost segregation makes sense for your situation, so utilizing a real estate specific CPA is crucial.

Hi Joshua — great question, and I completely agree these are the core inputs.From what I’ve seen, the tools that become “daily use” for flippers usually add a few missing layers beyond ROI math:✅ Risk scoring (permits, neighborhood, complexity, time-to-renovate uncertainty)✅ Sensitivity ranges (ARV ±5–10%, rehab overrun scenarios)✅ Holding cost automation (taxes, insurance, utilities, lender interest tied to timeline)✅ Contractor bid + workflow integration (not just analysis, but execution)✅ One-click shareable deal card for partners/lendersI’ve actually been building something along these lines called FlipScore™ — a quick 1–10 deal scoring + ROI + holding-cost breakdown system designed specifically for fixer investors.Would love to hear what pain point feels biggest for you:ARV accuracy, rehab surprises, or holding time overruns?