If you want extra guidance, working with an investor-friendly agent can be very valuable, especially one who understands first-time investors and can help you spot opportunities while avoiding common mistakes.Best of luck! 

Here are some things to keep in mind:1) Make sure you’re running truly conservative numbers - assume higher vacancies, real repair and CapEx costs, rising taxes and insurance, and rents that are realistic, not just what makes the deal look good on paper. 2) Take the time to learn local zoning, rent regulations, and code rules before you ever make an offer, especially around NYC where non-conforming or illegal units are super common and can completely derail a house hack.3) Talk to a few investor-savvy lenders early and really understand your low-down-payment options (FHA, conventional owner-occupied, grants, assistance programs) so financing doesn’t slow you down once you find a deal. 4) And finally, build relationships with an investor-friendly agent, a CPA who works with rentals, and ideally a mentor who’s just a few steps ahead of you.

I’ve struggled with this here, in coastal SC, where marsh rats and roof rats are a common problem.

It doesn't mean that its common for things to have a slow steady pace of change at that rate.

That can happen, but it’s not very common, especially for someone new.

yeah this is very common. think of the prior listing as another appraisal. 

Hi Isabel,What you’re running into is very common in competitive markets like Chicago.

In addition I found these common misconceptions by investors about purchasing existing notes 1.

Hey BiggerPockets fam!
If you could give one piece of funding advice to someone doing their first flip, what would it be?
Trying to help beginners avoid mistakes and have smoother closings.
Thanks for sharing your ...

I put together a 2026-focused tax strategy guide geared toward military investors (PCS, out-of-state ownership, high W-2 income, limited time).It covers:Buy-and-hold: depreciation + common deduction categoriesSTRs: the average-stay threshold + material participation concept (high-level)Flipping: why it’s often treated as active business incomeMultifamily: why cost segregation can matter more at scale1031: 45/180-day fundamentals + QI requirementQuestions for the group:For STR operators, what’s your system for tracking material participation hours without making life miserable?