@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.

On the other hand, you could rent a low-end Air BnB with huge profit potential, huge loss potential and requires tons of hands-on effort.You need to figure out where in that spectrum you want to be.There is a lot of great information on the internet, and obviously there's a lot of junk. 

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.)

As an Air Force veteran, I received my start in real estate investing using VA loans.I wish you all the best in your journey.

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

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.  

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.

I started with turnkey to get into REI, but now with a little more experience under my belt, I'm considering selling my turnkeys at a loss and moving on to something with more meat on the bones.Exterior - $225- pressure wash- remove damaged/torn window screens- remove all stickers from all windows- repair hole in soffit to the right of chimneyMain Interior - $825- repair/replace damaged sheetrock- wipe down and clean all walls throughout house- wipe down and clean all doors, trim and baseboards and throughout house- touch up paint on walls- touch up paint on trim and doors- replace missing/broken blinds- replace missing/broken doorknobs- replace missing/broken light switch and outlet covers- replace missing/broken light bulbs- make sure all doors open/shut properly- make sure all windows open/close properly- replace air filter- replace batteries in the smoke detectors- remove all trash from attic- clean and paint all bars and shelves in closets- clean all AC vents and return vents- make sure all drawers and cabinets open and close properly- make sure to clean out all drawers and cabinetsLiving Room - $10- clean and paint fireplace with black high heat paintKitchen - $55- wipe down and clean all cabinets, inside and out- touch up paint on cabinets- paint under sink- tighten loose cabinet hardware- caulk sink, floor, counter- replace broken trim on ends of countertopsLaundry Room - $10- clean and paint inside washer box- clean out dryer ventHalf Bathroom - $25- wipe down and clean all cabinets, inside and out- touch up paint on cabinets- paint under sink- tighten loose cabinet hardware- caulk toilet, sink, tub, floor- tighten door handleMaster Bathroom - $75- paint cabinets inside and out- tighten loose cabinet hardware- caulk toilet, sink, tub, floor- fill in missing grout in showerHall Bathroom - $35- wipe down and clean all cabinets, inside and out- touch up paint on cabinets- paint under sink- tighten loose cabinet hardware- caulk toilet, sink, tub, floorStairs - $20- paint handrail- paint banasterGarage - $25- pressure wash garage floorLocks - $300Yard - $175- cut, edge, weedeat- trim bushes- trim up trees- clean up fencelines- haul off all trash- Remove grass from cracks in concrete- remove all loose limbs and debris- clean out flower bedsFlooring - $275- clean all carpetsCarpet Cleaning Estimate: $275Garage - $100Program two new garage door remotesPest Control - $85- pest control needed: General pest sprayTrash - $350- remove trash at the curbCleaning - $120

It seemed like it was a no brainer being directly in the path of progress and a slam dunk as far as appreciation and improvement in tenant class.