@Matthew CookHey Matthew,Maryville has solid job growth and safety, but if you’re open to other opportunities, the Midwest has a lot of undervalued, off-market deals with strong cash flow potential.

Early focus should be clean ops and risk control: strong lease, proper disclosures, solid insurance plus an umbrella, and fixing safety issues fast.

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.

Collect rent digitally and keep every doc in a shared drive. 

For safety, perform immediate courtesy check-ins with neighbors and your PM, and enforce your lease criteria if the tenant falsified info.

The new construction premium just disappeared — and that hasn’t happened in at least a decade.For years, new homes consistently sold at a double-digit premium to comparable resales.

I need a comprehensive solution that can:• Track the property from the initial purchase through ongoing management• Record and categorize all rental expenses• Allow me to scan and store receipts digitally• Monitor additional costs associated with the properties• Track rental income and proceedsI would appreciate any recommendations or suggestions you might have. 

A properly installed radon mitigation system with post‑test results under typical safety thresholds doesn’t devalue a property; if anything, it reduces a future buyer’s objection by turning a health risk into a solved, documented feature.

Some deals might only leave five thousand, while others could leave thirty, depending on numbers and risk.Think of it this way: the “leftover” is your safety net for unexpected costs, and your margin for profit.

Since opening my brokerage 3 years ago I’ve completed multiple triple-digit profit flips, expanded into 2 other markets, and have helped both investors and agents build careers through investing in real estate.My focus areas are:Distressed property acquisitions & off-market dealsFull rehabs & design-forward flipsHelping other investors and agents scale with systems + strategyI joined BP to connect with other investors, share knowledge, and hopefully find opportunities to collaborate on deals in the Pittsburgh area.