For long-term holds, we structure debt with survivability first, optimization second.A few core principles we follow:1.

Having been through many different investing strategies and cycles over the years, I’ve found that adapting structure and staying disciplined with underwriting allows you to keep moving forward, even as conditions change.

I'd add one more thing for first-time OOS buyers specifically: before you even think about unit count or financing structure, make sure the listing data actually matches public records.I've seen a duplex where the listing showed 3 bed / 1 bath per unit but county records said something different — with an entire bathroom that doesn't exist in any public record.

Single-family and commercial investing are very different: single-family homes are usually more approachable and influenced by comparable sales, while commercial deals are driven more by income and deal structure. 

Also they are gone within 1 week where as in 1 week I can barely get information about the structure of the house to make sure it is not damaged. 

.: I’ve got plenty of refinance potential sitting on the table right now but I’m stuck in that familiar gray zone of when to actually pull the trigger.The hesitation isn’t about qualification or structure.

I think the best way to structure these is to use a HELOC or Cash to purchase the property, then do a cash out refi 90 days afterwards. 

It could be that most of the value is coming from the land itself, and not the structure. 

To reach the structure, termites build visible dirt tunnels from the soil up.

For now, since you’re house hacking, just make sure you’re tracking rental income and expenses for the rented portion, including mortgage interest, taxes, insurance, and utilities.Following this approach will give you time to build cash, understand rehab costs, structure financing properly, and keep your taxes optimized.