We're competing with first-time homebuyers for the same affordable inventory, holding times are creeping up to 164 days, and regions like the Northeast are seeing serious inventory shortages while the West is getting hammered by labor and material costs.

Six days of controlled drying (dehumidifiers + airflow) brought readings down below 15%, preventing mold.A few quick lessons from the field:Act within 24–48 hours after a leak or flood.Use moisture meters or hygrometers—don’t rely on sight or touch.Track readings until materials reach normal levels (around 8–15% MC for wood).Keep gutters clear and sump pumps tested before storm season.Anyone else tracking drying data or using instruments after storms?

This property would be used as a mid-term rental, so all utilities and services would essentially be baked into the monthly cost.Thoughts?

— I prefer RUBS because it:— encourages tenants to conserve water and report leaks quickly,— adjusts automatically when utility rates change, and— keeps my base rent lower in online listings, which helps with marketing.If anyone has firsthand experience or can point me to an official Euclid or Cuyahoga County source on this, I’d really appreciate it.Thanks in advance!

Verify demand with travel‑nurse portals and corporate housing comps, then price all‑in with furnishings, utilities, cleaning, and PM.

Purchase Price: $280,000Down Payment: $75,000 (~27%)Loan: 6.625% interest, 30-year fixedRents: $1,350 per side ($2,700 total, tenants pay utilities)Property Taxes (2023): $4,247/yearInsurance: $2,600/yearProperty Management: 10% of gross rentMaintenance + CapEx: 10% of gross rent (includes reserve for roof replacement in 5 years)Vacancy: 5%Annual Gross Rent: $32,400Total Operating Expenses: ≈ $13,600Net Operating Income (NOI): ≈ $18,800Cap Rate: ≈ 6.7%Annual Debt Service: ≈ $16,000Cash Flow (after all expenses): ≈ $2,800/year ($230/month)Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR): ≈ 1.17Cash-on-Cash Return (Year 1): ≈ 3.7%Notes:Roof expected to need replacement within 5 years (budgeted $10–12K).Tenants pay all utilities,Rents appear market average.Located in a stable B-class neighborhood with consistent rental demand.Population growth slightly negative but a 20 minute drive from Cincinnati.  

It is best to have a separate HVAC system for each unit but if the multi family unit is all on one utility meter then you might want to get one of those ones where you can control the system from 2 different units.  

Third, MH don't appreciate nearly as well as stick-built, due to the quality of materials but also due to the fact that your pool of future buyers will pay a slightly higher interest rate due to the build type (and of course won't include non-owner-occupants).

I’ve noticed many investors running into delays this quarter — contractors booked solid, materials harder to find, and lenders tightening up.Curious — how are you all managing contractor schedules this late in the year?

Wayfair is fine, but most of it is cheap material.