Sometimes Rabbu can lean optimistic depending on the market.CapEx & reserves: You mentioned it, but make sure you’ve built in enough buffer for big-ticket items (roof, HVAC, furniture refresh).

When margins are this slim, you need emergency cash reserves.

Some banks may even require that, but if you stay under levered, and keep reserves, I would tap out the golden tickets (10 per person).

Welcome to BP @Isidro Rodriguez Jr,If you’re a first time investor, the properties you should be focusing on are the ones in good areas that attract quality residents, people who will treat your house like it is their own.

Love that you and your wife are focused on building a solid foundation — that mindset will serve you well.Books/resources: The Book on Rental Property Investing by Brandon Turner (a BP staple), and The Millionaire Real Estate Investor by Gary Keller are both great next steps.Buying rentals vs personal property: biggest differences are how lenders underwrite (they’ll look at rental income potential, reserves, and DSCR ratios), and how you should underwrite — run the numbers first (rent minus expenses) instead of buying on emotion.Getting started: a HELOC can work, but make sure you’ve got good cash flow margin so you’re not over-leveraged.

. - Shuff Sounds good just text me reservations made!

That’s where a simple Legacy Builder Framework comes in:Lay out setup costs clearlyName the monthly expenses honestlyProject conservative, base, and aggressive scenariosBuild reserves and exit strategies into the planThis way, the numbers don’t threaten the mission — they protect it.Freedom Ranch reminded me of something bigger:Real estate doesn’t have to be just spreadsheets and ROI.

The Property Manager earned those reservations, so they should be compensated for them.

If you do that make sure you have reserves and use the HELOC for a shorter term solution(aka pay it back quickly)

It was, however, interest only at 2.9% for the first 12 months, I had significant cash reserves, the property that the HELOC was against was worth about 2x the first position HELOC balance, and I owned another property on the same street as the new purchase (very familiar with the location and property).