I’ve had strong results with these approaches, and they often provide upside without relying on major renovations.Using cash flow to step into lower-yield, higher-appreciation markets later is a very viable path—just make sure the early deals give you flexibility and multiple exit options.

At the very least, I hope that pursuing legal action will give the contractor pause before engaging in similar conduct with other clients.That said, there are certainly lessons learned from this experience that I will take with me going forward.

Hearing that most deals take multiple touches over weeks or months really drives home the importance of having a true follow-up process in place.

However, if you're trying to save costs across multiple properties, there are middle-ground options.

Also mixing multiple sources for the same lead (like pulling from 2 different platforms) gives you backup numbers when the first one's dead.

If you’re underwriting assuming professional management, realistic maintenance, vacancy, and capex, and the deal still cash flows with a larger down payment, that’s a much more durable position.The “keep 25% down and scale faster” approach works best when:You’re very confident in the marketYou’re comfortable with thinner marginsYou’re planning to move quickly into multiple dealsGiven that you’re balancing W2 jobs, a child, and long-term planning, there’s nothing wrong with starting conservatively and building confidence with one solid, boring, cash-flowing asset.You can always accelerate later.

.- May not have the systems to avoid major issuesPMC Strengths- Multiple admin staff to better handle workload- More expertise (if you hire right PMC)- Have the "density" to invest in systems to get rentals more marketing exposure, better vendor pricing, better tenant screening tools, better delinquency solutions, etc.Weaknesses- May not pay attention to same metrics as owner- Getting more & more difficult for one person to know everything about 100+ doors- Bigger companies=> more red tape and right hand not knowing what left hand doing

That way you have multiple exit strategies if the sales market shifts.Example from our market (SWFL):All-in duplex build ~$340K + ~$85K land → resale ~$550K–$575K.

I have participated in multiple deals with Open Door Capital. 

I have 40 units across multiple buildings that I self manage.