Overall, reality is non-negotiable.Yes, you could replace all the action items of the agent; however, surprises and mistakes can take considerable time to resolve and imped on your other daily tasks. 

I assumed I'd be paying this until 2028 based on my amortization schedule.Here's what changed: Even though Austin's market has essentially flatlined (only 2.3% appreciation YoY as of September 2025), the combination of my regular payments over 2.5 years plus that modest appreciation pushed my LTV close enough to 80% to take action.The Current Market Reality (September 2025)Let's be honest about where we are:- Austin: Median $555K, up only 2.3% YoY (basically flat)- Phoenix: Oversupply issues, rents declining- Tampa: Similar oversupply challenges- Denver: Still seeing modest growth- Midwest markets: Best opportunities (Columbus, Kansas City showing 5-7% growth)With 30-year rates at 6.2-6.3% (just dropped from 6.6% last week), many investors are looking at refinancing.

In reality, you find a minimum threshold for each, and you go for it.

He's Still Paying the Mortgage on His Ex-Girlfriend's $350K House—And Has Zero Legal RightsA viral financial horror story exposes the dangerous pitfalls of buying property with an unmarried partner—and why legal protections matter more than romantic trust.A recent YouTube short from financial content creator Caleb Hammer has sparked widespread discussion about one of the most costly mistakes young couples can make: buying a home together without proper legal protections.The story, which has resonated with thousands of viewers, centers on an unmarried man who contributed to purchasing a $350,000 house with his girlfriend, only to discover he had zero legal ownership when their relationship ended just months later.https://news.yahoo.com/news/finance/news/hes-still-paying-mo...When Reality Hit HardThe relationship deteriorated rapidly after the home purchase, with the couple breaking up after living together for only a couple of months.

In reality basements are often dark, musty, moldy, damp and water prone, which makes them less desirable to the buying public. imho, be cautious on how much you spend, because your return on investment of below grade space may be less than you expect.

The #1 lesson I’ve learned from buying and selling notes is that due diligence will make or break your deal.It’s tempting to focus on the headline numbers — the discount on a non-performer or the yield on a performing note — but the reality is the collateral, the borrower, and the servicing strategy determine your outcome.

This is a perfect example of ‘guru” hype vs reality.1.

We took on some big, 7-figure investors...then the harsh reality set in.

It says my STR grosses 200k a year … in reality we’ll land between 40–45k.”

The reality is if you get 20 doors you will retire in your 60's far better off than you would have without those doors.