Well, if approval of assistance animals was tricky before, now it'll get even more confusing.https://leadingage.org/hud-withdraws-wide-ranging-fair-housi...

You’re not alone—California’s prices make it tough to get started locally, but $30K is actually a solid foundation to begin investing if you think creatively.

I’ve heard mixed things about turnkey investing, but it’s helpful to hear from someone who’s actually looked at them from the underwriting side.

Turnkeys can actually be a solid option, especially if you’re working with the right team and market.

Unfortunately the listing agent was playing games and we ended up withdrawing the offer because we no longer felt like we could trust the Seller or the listing agent.

I’m trying to figure out how realistic this idea is before I start talking to lenders — hoping some of you who’ve been through this can help me sanity-check it.Here’s my current situation:The PropertyLocated in California’s Central ValleyBought a few years ago from my dad for $30K (clear title)Current estimated value: around $293,500 (Zillow)Rents: $1,000 (front) + $800 (back) = $1,800/moNo mortgage, completely paid off ✅It’s been a basic rental that covers itself and stays occupied.Now that it’s appreciated quite a bit, I’m wondering if I can use it to fund my next step in real estate.What I’ve Gathered So FarI was laid off a while ago, so I don’t have W-2 income anymore — but I do have savings in the bank and this property free and clear.While researching options, I came across DSCR or “no-income verification” loans, where the lender qualifies the loan based mostly on the property’s rent and value instead of personal income.If I pulled out around $200K (roughly 70% of what the home’s worth), the monthly payment for principal and interest might fall in the $1,400–$1,500 range.Once I add property taxes and insurance, the total monthly cost would probably be close to $1,700.Since the property currently rents for about $1,800 a month total, it would basically break even or maybe make a small positive.That seems to qualify under the DSCR rules I’ve read about, but I’m not sure if that’s too thin to be worth the risk — especially with rates where they are right now.If this type of loan actually works the way I think it does, it could free up roughly $200K in cash that I could use as down payments or rehab funds to buy additional rentals.I just don’t know if that’s a smart move, or if I’m misunderstanding how flexible these loans really are.What I’m Trying to Figure OutDoes this make sense in today’s market, or would you hold the equity and wait for rates to drop?

If you’re under 59½, be careful about taking a direct withdrawal from your 401(k) for a down payment.

I’ve actually seen out-of-state BRRRRs work well over the last couple years, but only for investors who treat it like a business, not a side project.The key has been building a local operations system (property manager, contractor, and boots-on-the-ground contact) before ever closing.

With that much equity and a solid rate, I’d preserve the first mortgage and add a second: shop local banks/credit unions for an investment‑property HELOC with draw‑as‑needed and interest‑only terms, or a closed‑end home‑equity loan if you want fixed payments; avoid a full cash‑out refi that resets your great rate.

Last week I looked at questions you may want to ask if you are deciding to self-manage your investment or hire a property manager. Both are viable options. If you are thinking of interviewing property managers, these ...