Focusing on 20–40 unit properties in Dallas is smart, and small operational improvements can really boost NOI.

That’s a great time to bring in some strategy help—FL W-2 + FL rental + MI campground/marina is a lot of moving parts.For what you’re describing, I’d look for a CPA who:Works primarily with real estate investors,Has multi-state clients with filing in FL + upper Midwest,Understands campground/marina issues (depreciation, land improvements, sales/occupancy taxes, etc.), andCan meet with you at least once a year purely for planning, not just tax prep.

Here’s the listing:--> https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/398-402-Boston-Post-Rd-Wa... price: $350,000My plan:Live in the smaller homeRent the larger home immediately (after light cosmetic work)Use FHA (3.5% down) + CHFA (down payment assistance)Reduce my personal housing cost as much as possibleSlowly fix my unit over timeBuild equity and eventually refinance to help fund a future businessNUMBERSPurchase Price Target:Offer target: $260,000Expected seller counter: $275,000–$300,000Currently listed at: $350,000FINANCING (FHA + CHFA)FHA 3.5% downDown payment covered by CHFA assistance programEstimated interest rate: ~6.5–7%MONTHLY PAYMENT ESTIMATES (P&I + Taxes + Insurance)At $275,000 purchase:Mortgage (P&I): ~$1,775Taxes: ~$420Insurance: ~$150--> Estimated Total: ~$2,350/monthAt $300,000 purchase:Mortgage (P&I): ~$1,940Taxes: ~$420Insurance: ~$150--> Estimated Total: ~$2,510/monthRENTAL INCOME ESTIMATE (Big House)Based on local comps:Low: $1,700/monthTypical: $1,800–$1,950/monthStrong (clean/paint/update): $2,000–$2,100/monthMY OUT-OF-POCKET HOUSING COST AFTER RENTIf I rent the big house at $1,900/month:At $275k: ~$450/monthAt $300k: ~$610/monthIf I rent at $2,000/month:At $275k: ~$350/monthAt $300k: ~$510/month(I currently pay $0 in rent living with family, so my goal is to keep my costs low while building equity.)REHAB ESTIMATESBig House (rent-ready):Cleaning + paint + small fixes: $1,000–$3,500Optional cosmetic upgrades: $2,000–$5,000Small House (my unit):Cosmetic repairs only: $500–$3,000Optional improvements (done slowly): $2,000–$7,000Major systems (worst-case ranges):Roof: $8k–$12kBoiler: $4k–$8kElectrical panel: $1,500–$4,000Plumbing repairs: $500–$2,000 typical(Inspection will tell me more.)CASH NEEDED TO CLOSEWith CHFA:Down payment: $0 out of pocketClosing costs: varies, but often reducedExpected out-of-pocket: $1,400–$1,800Inspection: $400–$600Appraisal: $500–$700MY FINANCIAL POSITION(To give you context for risk tolerance)Income: $5,000–$6,000/monthMonthly bills: ~$2,600Emergency fund: $10,000Credit: 717Access to 0% APR business credit card (likely $8k–$12k limit)Currently pay $0 rent (living with family)MY QUESTIONS FOR THE COMMUNITY1.)

@Kody Smith We use AppFolio and overall, we’ve been really happy with it.What we like:Super easy listing and background verification processACH payments make rent collection smoothBuilt-in CRM for handling maintenance ticketsTenant messaging option (so we don’t have to give out our personal phone numbers)If you have the budget, their Smart Maintenance feature is worth checking out — it routes tenant calls through a call center and sends notifications to you, which really cuts down on handling small tenant issues yourself.What could be better:The accounting side could use improvement.

The biggest issue with Stessa is that it sounded like they had very low transfer maximums(making it difficult to pay people) but it looks like they've improved a little bit on that.

Here’s the listing:--> https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/398-402-Boston-Post-Rd-Wa... price: $350,000My plan:Live in the smaller homeRent the larger home immediately (after light cosmetic work)Use FHA (3.5% down) + CHFA (down payment assistance)Reduce my personal housing cost as much as possibleSlowly fix my unit over timeBuild equity and eventually refinance to help fund a future businessNUMBERSPurchase Price Target:Offer target: $260,000Expected seller counter: $275,000–$300,000Currently listed at: $350,000FINANCING (FHA + CHFA)FHA 3.5% downDown payment covered by CHFA assistance programEstimated interest rate: ~6.5–7%MONTHLY PAYMENT ESTIMATES (P&I + Taxes + Insurance)At $275,000 purchase:Mortgage (P&I): ~$1,775Taxes: ~$420Insurance: ~$150--> Estimated Total: ~$2,350/monthAt $300,000 purchase:Mortgage (P&I): ~$1,940Taxes: ~$420Insurance: ~$150--> Estimated Total: ~$2,510/monthRENTAL INCOME ESTIMATE (Big House)Based on local comps:Low: $1,700/monthTypical: $1,800–$1,950/monthStrong (clean/paint/update): $2,000–$2,100/monthMY OUT-OF-POCKET HOUSING COST AFTER RENTIf I rent the big house at $1,900/month:At $275k: ~$450/monthAt $300k: ~$610/monthIf I rent at $2,000/month:At $275k: ~$350/monthAt $300k: ~$510/month(I currently pay $0 in rent living with family, so my goal is to keep my costs low while building equity.)REHAB ESTIMATESBig House (rent-ready):Cleaning + paint + small fixes: $1,000–$3,500Optional cosmetic upgrades: $2,000–$5,000Small House (my unit):Cosmetic repairs only: $500–$3,000Optional improvements (done slowly): $2,000–$7,000Major systems (worst-case ranges):Roof: $8k–$12kBoiler: $4k–$8kElectrical panel: $1,500–$4,000Plumbing repairs: $500–$2,000 typical(Inspection will tell me more.)CASH NEEDED TO CLOSEWith CHFA:Down payment: $0 out of pocketClosing costs: varies, but often reducedExpected out-of-pocket: $1,400–$1,800Inspection: $400–$600Appraisal: $500–$700MY FINANCIAL POSITION(To give you context for risk tolerance)Income: $5,000–$6,000/monthMonthly bills: ~$2,600Emergency fund: $10,000Credit: 717Access to 0% APR business credit card (likely $8k–$12k limit)Currently pay $0 rent (living with family)MY QUESTIONS FOR THE COMMUNITY1.)

@Roland CordarTechnically, you cannot exchange into improvements on property you already own. 

Each truck holds around 10 CY of concrete.

The profit calculations would be your adjusted cost basis (purchase price, plus capital improvements, minus depreciation), subtracted from the net sale of the property (sales price minus closing costs and commissions), like others mentioned above.

Nevertheless, they engaged an attorney that came up with all kind of ridiculous arguments as to the tenants ownership - including receipts for improvements, maintenance, and the fact that the tenant had deducted his rent payments as interest on his personal tax return.