The hardest part is finding a firm you trust that balances quality of work and pricing.

We buy using Creative Finance and save a ton of money, then we sell using Creative finance and save even more.When you sell using the MLS, you have a ton of fees which makes it difficult to be profitable with your investment.When you use Creative Financing, you have the flexibility of deciding how much profit you get.Click on image to enlarge

If you have a good year you can always pay more towards your balance.

It can take a long time to get everything in order and you don't want to be under the gun.I will say right up front there will be no life balance for this project IMHO.

Under this, he owes a large balance to be paid on top of monthly rent.I previously used a PM, but now I’m collecting directly.

Hoping to get feedback from folks who know the Dallas market well.Situation & Goals:Family: Me, wife, and 3 elementary aged kidsWork Location: Irving/Coppell area — prefer to stay within ~30 min commuteStrategy: Buy a property to live in for 1–2 years, then rent it out and repeat the processNumbers:OK if property just breaks even once we move out (cash flow neutral)Strong home appreciation is more important than short-term cash flowFeatures I’m targeting:Good school districts (important for both family and long-term demand)House hack potential — ADUs, in-law suites, small multifamily, rentable layouts, or something that transitions smoothly to a rental after we move outAsk:Which neighborhoods or school districts in/around Dallas should I be looking at that balance family needs + investment upside, all while keeping commute reasonable?

This recapture effectively reduces the property's adjusted basis, increasing the taxable gain on sale.Proper planning and tax strategy are essential to balance the upfront benefits with the potential tax implications at disposition.

My PM says once the property is re-leased, they will send the evicted tenant's outstanding balance to a collection agency, but the chances of getting that money back seem slim.What have other landlord's / PM's done to get some of their money back after an eviction?

Fixer-up multi-families give you a lot of control over value-add, and it’s smart to be thinking about the balance between cost and potential upside.

Surface to be kept in good condition - no paint, no oil leaks, who is responsible for any snow removal or other weather issues.Unpaid parking is considered unpaid rent, if your local landlord-tenant laws allow it.How to handle unauthorized parking by others (call tow company direct, go through you, in our area it is more difficult to have vehicles towed than it should be).