They get better over time, the longer you own it (debt costs hopefully stays same, rent stays up with inflation, appreciation, depreciation, loan pay down mostly from tenant, & is a little mini savings account).

The thing that holds most beginners back is much simpler:They don’t have a clear plan for the first 90 days.I’ve seen so many new investors jump from podcasts to YouTube to forums, soaking up information but never building an actual roadmap.And without a plan, everything feels overwhelming — markets, terms, lenders, strategy choices… all of it.You don’t need a perfect strategy to start.You just need a simple direction:Pick one strategy to learn (BRRRR, STR, house hack, etc.)Pick one market to study deeplyPick one daily or weekly habit you’ll stick to (analyzing deals, networking, saving, whatever moves you forward)Clarity beats intensity every time.The investors who succeed aren’t the ones who know the most — they’re the ones who stay consistent long enough to make their first move.If you’re overwhelmed, simplify.Start with the next 90 days, not the next 10 years.For those who are just getting started — what’s the one thing you’re focusing on first?

You’re definitely looking in the right direction, but there are a few tripwires to be aware of.For the STR strategy to work this year, the property has to (1) be placed in service in 2025 (furnished, available and actually listed for rent), (2) qualify as a short-term rental for tax purposes (average stay under 7 days, or under 30 with substantial services), and (3) meet one of the material participation tests (for most W-2 folks that’s usually 100+ hours and no one else, including cleaners/PM, doing more than you). 

In Metro Detroit, if they are not paid, the city sells them to county (with penalties & interest) and county adds to tax bill.Since the water bill stays in owner name, this creates challenges:1) Billing Tenants - do NOT let water bill go to property and trust tenant to pay! 

Rates drop enough into the high 4s My mortgage payment would stay roughly the same but appear to save 80 K in five yearsThoughts?

Should pay it off in 5 years if all tenants stay in place. 

The more you give, the more doors open.Stay curious, stay humble, and stay consistent.

Check out the map on our website where we’ve made this all easy to follow.We can also share numerous examples of properties & portfolios we’ve assisted investors with!

For tax purposes, the IRS considers the average stay across the entire multifamily property, not just the short-term rental unit.

Your numbers line up well here: plenty of 3/1 and 3/2 single-families in stable, rent-friendly areas that can stay under your $90K all-in target and hit that $1,100+ rent mark.A couple things to keep in mind in Memphis:Neighborhood selection is key.