But simplicity doesn’t always mean safety.Here’s the reality check: when that “one tenant” moves out, you become the one paying for everything.While occupied, tenants often cover utilities, yard care, and sometimes minor maintenance.

Use your home field advantage, it's worth at least 20% - even going to Milwaukee (which is a slightly better market) makes you an OOS investor and that more than eats up the small benefit.

Under 30 months is generally worth considering.

I use the biggerpockets credit check.

What is your time worth?

We got hit with a lot of fraud 1-2 years back and instituted ID check.

From region, to heavy-ish rehab (compared to purchase price or scope itself), to being too far outside of town, just to name a few.Sometimes it might be worth checking in with another lender, especially if you can find a good broker who can navigate the implications well and provide good recommendations without any 'due diligence fees' or paying for multiple appraisals.It can get costly, with either your finances or your time, if you waste too much trying to fit a square-peg into a round-hole.

Obviously this has created quite the concern for us as this is our primary source of background checks.

🚫 Not worth splurging on:Fancy wall art (most guests barely notice)Premium cookware (unless targeting execs)Expensive rugs or decor piecesFocus on comfort and function — not Pinterest.What’s one item your guests always appreciate that you didn’t expect?

@Chandler CraneI’ve got 18 SFR in the DFW area including some in Fort Worth and have have scaled up with taking equity from properties to buy more and more.