Second - once you have gotten your bearings financially and you have started developing the discipline to methodically improving your financially situation every month, you are now at a place to start investing.

Lately I’ve been seeing a lot of investors talk about the challenge of finding quality motivated seller opportunities.From what I’ve seen across different markets, the most consistent results tend to come from public record data—pre-foreclosures, probates, liens, evictions, and code violations.Accuracy seems to matter more than just volume, because bad data leads to bad campaigns and wasted budget.Curious what others here are doing:• Are you sourcing leads from public records directly?

You can often find them on facebook, evetnbrite and other online methods. 

We have utilized an industrial 'Owner-GC' renovation budget that significantly de-risks the build-out compared to traditional commercial construction methods and allows for alternative engineering approaches to this massive project.

A rental that was recently renovated should rent for more than a "tired" rental.When we send rental comparables to our clients, we always include a few interior pics (if available) so we can show owner how the quality of their rental compares to competition.

Exit & Resolution PlanningStress tests also consider what options exist if conditions deteriorate — such as restructuring, foreclosure, or selling collateral — and how long and costly those paths might be.How It’s Used in PracticeImportantly, there isn’t a single “official” or universally standardized stress-testing method required for real estate note deals.

It is tough to build here, and yes, high rents and a high quality tenant poolCash flow here around owner occupant quality homes can be looked at as a means of keeping the investment viable while these factors start to work.  

So while $50k–$60k deals exist, many investors are finding better risk-adjusted returns by buying slightly higher quality assets in strong growth markets like Columbus.

They offer a good balance of quality and price. 

Just around median is where you want to be in my opinion.CoStar has a similar rating system for Apartment Complexes, widely seen as an industry standard:5-Star (Luxury/High-End): State-of-the-art buildings, newest construction, top-tier amenities, high quality, premium pricing.4-Star (Upscale): High-quality, above-average maintenance, newer construction, premium features, but below 5-star luxury.3-Star (Mid-Range/Workforce): Average quality, older buildings with more limited amenities, mid-range price point.2-Star (Value): Functional but basic, minimum structure and systems, often older with limited appeal.1-Star (Needs Renovation): Generally older properties requiring significant updates and major renovations.