A “good deal” to me is one where the spread makes sense and I can realistically execute the plan without surprises.

On the flip side, startups or newer local businesses can be a gamble, sometimes great, sometimes gone in a year.Curious to hear from others what’s been your biggest surprise (good or bad) transitioning between residential and commercial?

So I have been surprised to find that Mississippi seems to be an exception to this.

That surprised me because it was so much more than the original cost. 

Flips move fast, and tax surprises can be brutal if you don’t plan in advance.Entity Strategy: Keep flips and rentals in separate entities.

That’ll save you surprises later. 3.

Pleasantly surprised, everyone was fine with these increases and signed their new leases. 

Lease Wording & DisclosurePut everything in writing upfront so there’s no surprise later.In the lease, list:Planned upgrades (deck, bathrooms, kitchen)Approximate timing and durationAny rent credits or hotel reimbursements for major disruptionsThis keeps expectations clear and avoids “you promised” disputes later.2.

Probably that's a good thing: if you buy at auctions, you need to be financially prepared to deal with unpleasant surprises - on one deal you could make 100k, on the next you could lose as much.

Having documentation ready helps prevent surprises during negotiations.In a market where margins are already tight, overlooking property taxes could make or break your deal.