I see equity destroyed every year by owners who think their properties are “doing fine,” not because the deal was bad, but because small decisions compounded into real damage.It almost always starts small.

.," ignores many other expenses and risks that compound far more quickly than a missed ARV.

Trying to balance audit-defensibility with not lighting money on fire.

So far, the audit was defensible and nothing sketchy at all.

I wish I started when I was your age. longevity in this business helps your growth compound. 

i'll speak in defense of @K S. for a second though. 

⸻My Biggest Concerns•Hidden electrical scope expansion•Water + foundation compounding issues•Permit delays•Choosing the wrong lead contractor•Underestimating timeline dragIf you could go back to your first heavy project, what would you do differently?

Add value where you can.Small habits, big momentumAnother must-read is Atomic Habits.Real estate success isn’t one big move—it’s small, consistent actions:Listening to a podcast on your commuteAttending one local meetup a monthAnalyzing one deal a weekHaving one real conversation with another investorThose habits compound faster than you think.Relationships before returnsHere’s the truth most people overlook:Opportunities follow relationships.Deals come from people.Capital comes from trust.Knowledge comes from proximity.Start building relationships before you think you’re “ready.”

Compound.....go for 4 unit

What won’t matter much is the label of “business” versus something adjacent.If I were in your shoes, I would:- Get licensed- Work around high-volume operators or investment brokers- Invest small and often- Use school strategically, not passivelyReal-world reps compound faster than classroom theory in this space.You’re already ahead by thinking about this intentionally.