An environmental analysis showed that the seller has been dumping motor oil in the open field in back of the property and the motor oil had worked its way into the sewer  system.  

So you are figuring the market could impact pricing but if you are going to live in the current market is really not that impactful if you are buying to live in.

I don’t know the vehicle-per-day traffic counts (in Texas I’d check TX DOT, you might check Vermont’s equivalent), but there could be potential for more density or alternative low-impact commercial uses that don’t rely on heavy traffic.

I’d love to hear from lenders on:Underwriting Impact: How do you treat committed grant dollars in your LTC/LTV calculations?

I’ve seen sober livings be a great way to create both impact and income if they’re set up right.

Now, people are starting to get-it of the impact 0 cap-x can have. 

I’m in the middle of my current live-in BRRRR, and it got me thinking about the value adds that have made the biggest difference in my past and current projects.Right now, I’m focused on things like:Adding HVAC where there wasn’t any beforeReplacing old sewer linesUpdating kitchen and bathroom with functional with modern finishesfencing and outdoor spaces (fire pit, seating areas, etc.)Interior upgrades like skim-coating ceilings, adding passthrough between kitchen and living room, and refinishing existing cabinetry instead of replacingThese have all had a noticeable impact on rent potential and appraised value in my market.I’m curious what other investors have found to be your BIGGEST value adds, especially in today’s environment.

Lessons Learned - Buying with a clear strategy, using available benefits to lower upfront costs, and focusing on high-impact upgrades can significantly boost value.Challenges - Balancing renovations with daily life while working full-time and managing our first rental came with a learning curve, but it built our confidence for future deals.

Real estate is often a deeply emotional business — and how we treat others can leave a longer-lasting impact than any spreadsheet ever could.Over the past year, I’ve been building a long-term strategy to transition into real estate investing as a core component of my financial future.I’m focused on buy-and-hold SFRs and small multifamily properties in strong Midwest markets.

In hindsight, I should have stocked up on ACs.In 2025, new air conditioning systems will no longer use the older R-410A refrigerant due to environmental regulations.