If you want to own rentals sooner, house hack a small multi or partner on a light value‑add using private money while you learn.

Guidelines to follow:Only buy in low-cost markets if your costs stay under 75% even after paying for two major capital improvements, such as a new roof and a new water service line.Make sure you can eliminate all obvious safety and health hazards—like broken sidewalks, missing railings, lead paint, or poor lighting.

I'm not doing too much in Florida these days, just lightly involved (hands off as an LP) in a multifamily property in Jacksonville. 

Keep it simple: pick one stable, landlord‑friendly market, target small multis in B/C areas with light value‑add, and insist the numbers cash flow after vacancy, taxes, insurance, PM, and CapEx.

You’ve got two parallel plays: 1) The condo: don’t move a dollar until the HOA gives a written green light on your desired rental type; if restricted, price a sale vs LTR hold and include dues, special assessments, and an off‑ramp if they delay. 2) The house‑hack: use the bank grant plus your cash to target a small multifamily you can live in; lock financing first, verify rents in writing, and buy light‑rehab so you’re not managing two rehabs out of state.

Hard money and bridge lenders can also hit a two-to-three‑week window if you’ve pre‑underwritten your file and the scope is light; conventional or DSCR usually run 30–45 days.

As a carpenter, monetize your edge on light value‑add and sweat equity, but avoid heavy permits until you’ve got reserves and a team.

Curious if anyone has utilized a strategy similar to this and could shed light on their experience.Thanks!

If you were in my spot today — asset-rich but income-light — would you still pull some equity to get started, or hold tight until rates ease up?

New kitchen, new full bathroom, added half bathroom, new eyebrow porch, new flooring, new paint.What if you did a light value add that projected a value increase enough to cover holding and selling costs, but the market depreciates a little?