Traders have already reduced odds of a December Fed rate cut from about 50% to just 29% following the BLS announcement.https://www.forbes.com/sites/tylerroush/2025/11/18/jobless-c...Addison, Allen, Anna, Azle, Batch Springs, Bedford, Benbrook, Burleson, Cedar Hill, Celina, Cleburne, Colleyville, Coppell, Corinth, Crowley, DeSoto, Duncanville, Ennis, Euless, Farmers Branch, Fate, Flower Mound, Forest Hill, Forney, Glenn Heights, Grapevine, Greenville, Haltom City, Highland Village, Hurst, Keller, Lancaster, Little Elm, Mansfield, Midlothian, Mineral Wells, Murphy, North Richland Hills, Prosper, Red Oak, Rockwall, Rowlett, Royse City, Sachse, Saginaw, Seagoville, Southlake, Terrell, The Colony, Trophy Club, University Park, Watauga, Waxahachie, Weatherford, White Settlement, Wylie, Dallas, Fort Worth, Plano, Irving, Garland, Grand Prairie, McKinney, Frisco, Mesquite, Carrollton, Denton, Richardson, Lewisville, or Arlington

Living on-site doesn’t reduce operational responsibilityLiving there helps your down payment requirement, but:It does not reduce your management workloadandIt does not reduce your liability.Per state rules, you’ll still need:a registered managerovernight caregiver coverageproper training documentationbackground checksemergency preparedness protocolsfood & medication compliance systemsThis is not passive income in any way.3.

Reduce what you are investing, stocking away for a brief time.

By investing smaller amounts across multiple deals, we can diversify investments, reduce risk, and still participate in a range of opportunities, whether it’s rental properties, commercial deals, or other cash-flowing assets.

Proper records help ensure compliance, minimize risks, and reduce the chances of triggering an audit.Providing clients with sample record-keeping guidelines and basic bookkeeping tools can be an effective way to help them stay organized and better prepared for tax season.

Whether you use spreadsheets or software, organization is key to profitability.Delaying communicationWhen tenants reach out, quick responses build trust and reduce turnover.

Then ask for specific wins tied to your risk profile: lower points, faster draws with photo milestones, reduced rehab holdbacks, or a rate drop on repeat deals.

From a tax angle, that two-family is a solid start because you can use depreciation to reduce taxable rental income, and your cosmetic upgrades may qualify for deductions or depreciation (like someone above mentioned, definitely look into cost segregation), depending on the work.

If you take it to the extreme I’d like to see an interest only loan option that had a competitive interest rate, I mean I do like principle pay down, but I like cash flow better, and in the end equity gain is where the really money is, so any tool that would allow me to use more leverage and reduce risk by increasing liquidity is better for me. 

Here’s the listing:--> https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/398-402-Boston-Post-Rd-Wa... price: $350,000My plan:Live in the smaller homeRent the larger home immediately (after light cosmetic work)Use FHA (3.5% down) + CHFA (down payment assistance)Reduce my personal housing cost as much as possibleSlowly fix my unit over timeBuild equity and eventually refinance to help fund a future businessNUMBERSPurchase Price Target:Offer target: $260,000Expected seller counter: $275,000–$300,000Currently listed at: $350,000FINANCING (FHA + CHFA)FHA 3.5% downDown payment covered by CHFA assistance programEstimated interest rate: ~6.5–7%MONTHLY PAYMENT ESTIMATES (P&I + Taxes + Insurance)At $275,000 purchase:Mortgage (P&I): ~$1,775Taxes: ~$420Insurance: ~$150--> Estimated Total: ~$2,350/monthAt $300,000 purchase:Mortgage (P&I): ~$1,940Taxes: ~$420Insurance: ~$150--> Estimated Total: ~$2,510/monthRENTAL INCOME ESTIMATE (Big House)Based on local comps:Low: $1,700/monthTypical: $1,800–$1,950/monthStrong (clean/paint/update): $2,000–$2,100/monthMY OUT-OF-POCKET HOUSING COST AFTER RENTIf I rent the big house at $1,900/month:At $275k: ~$450/monthAt $300k: ~$610/monthIf I rent at $2,000/month:At $275k: ~$350/monthAt $300k: ~$510/month(I currently pay $0 in rent living with family, so my goal is to keep my costs low while building equity.)REHAB ESTIMATESBig House (rent-ready):Cleaning + paint + small fixes: $1,000–$3,500Optional cosmetic upgrades: $2,000–$5,000Small House (my unit):Cosmetic repairs only: $500–$3,000Optional improvements (done slowly): $2,000–$7,000Major systems (worst-case ranges):Roof: $8k–$12kBoiler: $4k–$8kElectrical panel: $1,500–$4,000Plumbing repairs: $500–$2,000 typical(Inspection will tell me more.)CASH NEEDED TO CLOSEWith CHFA:Down payment: $0 out of pocketClosing costs: varies, but often reducedExpected out-of-pocket: $1,400–$1,800Inspection: $400–$600Appraisal: $500–$700MY FINANCIAL POSITION(To give you context for risk tolerance)Income: $5,000–$6,000/monthMonthly bills: ~$2,600Emergency fund: $10,000Credit: 717Access to 0% APR business credit card (likely $8k–$12k limit)Currently pay $0 rent (living with family)MY QUESTIONS FOR THE COMMUNITY1.)