Then, once everything settled, I refinanced with a renovation loan to renovate the property and stabilize.I know his fees aren't outrageous considering the timeline for some of these shorter deals, so he is who I will always go to first in a situation like this. 

I keep about $5,000 in a HYSA and have a high paying job so large unforeseen events go on credit card and get paid off with next couple paychecks avoiding cc interest fees.

HOA fees & special assesstments can kill cashflow.

Are you house hacking mainly to reduce or eliminate your living expenses and then move on, or are you intentionally stacking smaller “base hit” deals with the goal of building a long-term portfolio?

That business model also tends to require being extremely hands-on, which seems at odds with the lifestyle goal of replacing a stable job.So if someone truly believes running around managing low-value homes is a better long-term life choice than a reliable W2 job, then by all means go for it—but it’s not for most.Another way people replace W2 income that may be more realistic is by getting involved in real estate with more meaningful fee potential, which usually means heavier construction-oriented development.

Of course this is super simple and there are cost, fees, etc.Ricky Bobby said in Talladega Nights "If aint first, you're last !!!" 

If done to scale, especially with “fee income” (money earned on other people’s investment with you as manager, syndicator, or asset acquisition specialist), can make you rich.

Beyond maintenance a good PM software will auto assign late fees, e sign leases, have integrated applications and leasing and much more!

Running 3 rental properties and my current household, throughout 2025 i had to blow through a mixture of savings and reserves and use rental income to survive. its long story, but i have recently experienced a situation with my sfh rental needed a $6k hvac system, all slapped on a credit card with 24 month 0% interest. the net income is only $100 on that one. the other two rentals are condos. the one condo an hour away, the tenant passed away and now sits vacant. the second condo is 15 mins away, its a studio with low hoa and $1100 in rent with $195 HOA fee $1100 annual taxes and now worth $100k and i purchased it for $70k 3 years ago.

I’ve been flirting with it but I’m countering with offers like put the fees in the closing costs instead of upfront.