Property Condition & Amenities: it’s important to, “Maintain to the Neighborhood.”Key metrics for each Property Class:Class A Properties:Tenant Pool: Majority of FICO scores 680+, no convictions/evictions in last 7 years.Tenant Default: 0-5% probability of eviction or early lease termination.Section 8: Class A rents are too high and won’t be approved.Vacancies: 5-10%, depending on market conditions.Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, 3-5 years for positive cashflow, but you get highest relative rent & value appreciation.Class B Properties:Tenant Pool: Majority of FICO scores 620-680, some blemishes, no convictions/evictions in last 5 years.Tenant Default: 5-10% probability of eviction or early lease termination.Vacancies: 10-15%, depending on market conditions.Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, 1-3 years for positive cashflow, balanced amounts of relative rent & value appreciation.Section 8: Class B rents are usually too high for the Section 8 program.Class C Properties:Tenant Pool: Majority of FICO scores 560-620, many blemishes, but should have no convictions/evictions in last 3 years.

I don't know that I had a true in the moment "oh this is it" or what not, but the turning point in general for me around life and real estate was probably moving into my house hack and signing the first tenant in the other unit up on a 24 month lease before my first mortgage payment was due. 

In metro areas, you usually have more liquidity when it’s time to sell and a deeper renter pool, while rural markets can sit longer both on the leasing and resale side.

NEVER have a verbal leasing agreement.

Yes, vetting is such an important step because it helps to reduce costly mistakes and minimizes risk, whether it’s in real estate investing or for someone like me partnering with investors for a long-term corporate lease.

Our first rental was a medium-term tenant through Furnished Finder, which brought in $2,100/month for 7–8 months on a furnished lease.

I've used Zillow Property Management for listing, background and credit checks (potential tenant pays for), leases, and rent collection.

This process can take anywhere from several weeks to several months.2) Every unit you lease to a Section 8 tenant will also have to undergo an annual inspection to ensure that it continues to meet Housing Quality Standards (HQS) set by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).3) If you’re an out-of-state investor, you’ll want to find a property manager who specializes in working with Section 8 landlords, and who can help you with approvals and recertifications—often for an additional fee.Hope this helps!

The loan is secured like trade fixtures with a UCC filing.The other model is leased panels which is kind of interesting as well. 

Here’s my current situation and timeline:2023 – Purchased a rental property (currently leased for 1 year, managed by my wife).2024 – Bought a home, lived in it for 1 year, then fixed and sold it on June 16, 2025 (profit was minimal).June 21, 2025 – Bought a new construction home, lived there for 2 months.September 15th 2025 – Closing on another property.Additional details:Active Duty U.S.