If the plumbing is galvanized, you're looking at a $50,000–$100,000 budget revision and a renegotiated price.Some of you may already be using AI to assist you in your deal analysis, if not though, I would encourage you to give it a try.

It’s encouraging to see experienced investors returning as conditions evolve.

Remember, the foundation of a long and productive relationship is communication.Some approaches:- Step ups monthly or quarterly- Bill back utilities or obligations, if lawfully permissible- Work with housing assistance provider, if applicable- Large increase on lease anniversary (this could encourage vacancy)Give them ample notice of the increase (60+ days).

So, I would not encourage most people to liquidate their 401k/IRA to move it all into real estate. 5.

@Denise Supplee, thank you for the welcome and encouragement.

Hello @Andrew Bosco,Great post, very encouraging for those who may be experiencing analysis paralysis or those who feel discouraged after a couple of rejected offers.I'm curious to know whether you're seeing success in non-attorney states and/or with deals where the investor (or agent) is dealing directly with the seller?

Becoming a licensed agent when you are old enough would be another consideration although if you actually composed this well written post on your own I suspect you are super bright and would strongly encourage college either first or in conjunction with your RE goals. 

While I know there's a cost to it, I would encourage you to have an attorney deal with this on your behalf.

., because it seems completely backwards compared to how lenders operate in Europe.Let me explain the situation.I currently own a rental property in Decatur, IL:419 E Peoria Ave• Purchased Sept 2025 via Agreement for Deed• Purchase price: ~$56,900• ~$6K down• Currently rented at $1,200/month since October• Tenant occupied• Current payment to seller: $744/monthBased on nearby sales and the fact the property is fully rent-ready, we believe the market value should be somewhere around $70K–$90K.The plan is to refinance the property with a DSCR loan (70–75% LTV) and pay off the seller.At the same time we are also looking at purchasing two additional SFRs in the same market around $50K–$55K each, with expected rents around $1,100–$1,200/month.Here’s where things start to get confusingOne lender suggested the following structure:“Increase the purchase price to $62,500 so we can lend $50K.”From an investor perspective this makes zero sense to me.In Europe the lending logic is simple:If a property appraises for €80K but you buy it for €50K, the bank simply lends based on the appraised value, because the investor created instant equity through negotiation.In other words:Value: $80KPurchase price: $50KLoan: ~70% LTV of value (~$56K)This is actually encouraged, because the lender has more collateral coverage.My question for U.S. investors and lendersIs it normal in the U.S. that DSCR lenders focus on purchase price instead of value?

So I strongly encourage to stop getting tunnel vision on the numbers and to put things into full-context of what are you getting for those numbers.