Evaluate Deals Through the Lens of Your Entire PortfolioOne of the most common mistakes investors make is over-focusing on individual deal terms instead of viewing each acquisition as part of a broader portfolio strategy.Deal terms vary significantly based on several factors:Property TypeDifferent asset classes carry different risk profiles and financing structures:Industrial properties may have slightly higher interest rates than multifamily due to perceived risk.Retail often requires higher equity contributions and lower loan-to-value ratios.Office assets can involve more complex underwriting and higher equity requirements.Position in the Real Estate CycleMarket cycles matter.

If you don't have good personal credit/income, there are other kinds of loans like DSCR (Debt Service Coverage Ratio) loans where the ability of the property to generate income is evaluated to determine whether a loan can be made.

Tightening focus, protecting capital, and sharpening underwriting is progress—even if it doesn’t feel like it in the moment. 

Looking to create a general framework for evaluating deals.

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Quote from @Michael Vacha: @Stuart Udis accidentally posted this on the wrong response but I want to hear your thoughts as well  I agree that events do happens, that's why I am learning to midigate the effects of that with underwriting future expenses into my evaluation, while not perfect it will allow me to have reserves to handle those things over time and as I reach an acceptable cash reserve for each deal I can re apply that percentage of monthly cash flow to anything and when I use the reserve build it back up.

You never know when they'll require a special assessment, and whether the HOA management is accurately evaluating whether they need a special assessment.Some states require that a seller selling a property with an HOA provide a slew of information about the HOA before the buyer closes on the property. 

More cost-effective modern substitutes are the norm.Because of this, replacement cost coverage should be evaluated on a property-by-property basis.

When reviewing a note deal, what are the first things you check before diving deeper?
Trying to understand how experienced investors quickly assess opportunities.

I recommend sitting down and really digging into the numbers—look at all your costs and re-evaluate your long-term plan.There is a growing trend toward mid-term rentals and rent-by-the-room strategies.