Don’t combine profit motive with Social Welfare.  

I currently earn about $91.8k, so once we’re married, our combined income will push us over that limit and we’ll lose eligibility.The First Place non-DPA option offers rates around 5.25%, which is a full percent lower than what I’d likely get on a standard conventional loan after we’re married.

Here are actual numbers that I have on a 1 bed condo in Dallas I personally own and have kept for around 5 years:Rent: $1000Taxes: $157 (both county and ISD combined per month)Insurance: $94 (Travellers, im sure you could shop around and do a bit better)HOA: $200 (includes pool maintenance, water, 1 covered parking spot, and exterior maintenance) Cash Flow: $548 Even if your rent was $900-$950, which is quite low for a nicer updated unit, you could still walk away with $450-$500 a month.

it works multiple ways; as a flip or a buy/hold or a combination of the two.

Or do you usually like to do a combination of both?

Combine falling rents, with higher vacancies, and higher rates and it was a recipe for disaster. 

"I focus on working directly with property owners by becoming their last tenant — basically combining the role of tenant and property manager into one.

NFL Combine brings in a lot.

They’re not the most exciting read, but I’ve caught early signs of zoning changes and policy shifts that could impact operations down the line.Market Tools (Rentometer, AirDNA): I don’t rely on any one tool, but using them in combination helps create a baseline for rent comps, particularly when weighing LTR potential against STR or MTR models.Local Investor Conversations: Whether it’s chats here on BP or catching up with other Phoenix-area investors over coffee, these casual conversations often surface key info—like permitting updates or changes in code enforcement—that’s not always widely published.Refining Internal Processes: I’ve been reviewing and tightening up our PM workflows—everything from tenant communication to maintenance tracking and lease renewals.

Anyway... we're wrapping up the bulk of the major projects, but a few spots still look like crap.