Cities losing population usually don’t.The rent growth vs. inflation chart below illustrates the problem.

Opendoor’s experience actually illustrates both sides of that point: AI can materially improve market understanding, but it still has limits, particularly around precision and rapid market shifts.So I see Opendoor less as the “subject” of the post and more as an example of how powerful these tools can be when used well—and why judgment and context still matter alongside the models.

Present the Facts – Show the rental market data and ownership costs to illustrate the financial reality landlords face.

. $245 per square footRental & ownership perspective:This type of property could work for:An owner-occupant living in one unit and renting the otherFriends or family members purchasing togetherOr a buyer holding both units as a long-term rentalAccording to HUD Fair Market Rents, a 3-bedroom apartment in Exeter in 2024 rents for roughly $2,500/month (actual rents may vary).Financing assumptions (illustrative only):Conventional loan with 5% down (~$42,500)Estimated closing costs of 2–3%, bringing total cash needed to roughly $65,000Exeter (like other towns in the SAU16 district) has higher-than-average property taxes compared to the stateWith 2024 interest rates in the high-6% to low-7% range, estimated monthly payment (principal, interest, taxes, insurance) would be around $7,400.Who this type of property may fit best:🏠 An owner-occupant looking to offset housing costs🤝 Friends or family co-buying to access a high-quality Exeter property📈 A long-term investor prioritizing appreciation and stability over short-term cash flowCurious to hear others’ thoughts 👇Is mid-$800k’s what you’d expect for a 2-family in Exeter today?

Not much in terms of online reviews as far as I can tellI invested in a lot in Colombia a few years ago and have yet to see a payout as illustrated in their initial pro forma on my $30K investment.

An example will illustrate the consequence.Suppose you purchase a property with an initial cash flow of $1,000 per month.

That's a good outcome and an excellent illustration of cost seg operating as it should.

Here is the truth, the benefit is limited to a reduction in taxable income, which results in savings equivalent to the taxpayer’s marginal tax rate.To illustrate, consider a loan amount of $150,000 at an interest rate of 7.125%.

Here’s a real example from Orange County to illustrate what I’m seeing: Duplex in OC Purchase price: $1,250,0005% down: $62,500Loan: ~$1,187,500Rate (owner-occupied): ~6.75%  Monthly costs Principal & Interest: ~$7,700Property tax (1.1%): **$1,150**Insurance: ~$200Maintenance reserve: ~$500  Total monthly cost: ~$9,550 Market rents Other unit rents for: ~$3,500–$3,800  My net out-of-pocket:~$5,700–$6,000/month For comparison: Renting a room or modest apartment in the same area: ~$2,500–$3,000/month  So even while house hacking, my monthly cash outlay is roughly 2x what renting costs, before vacancy or capital expenditures.

I've included an example below to help illustrate this.So different lenders have different rates (which do vary even for DSCR loans) but these are factors they all consider.See example below:DSCR < 1Principal + Interest = $1,700Taxes = $350, Insurance = $100, Association Dues = $50Total PITIA = $2200Rent = $2000DSCR = Rent/PITIA = 2000/2200 = 0.91Since the DSCR is 0.91, we know the expenses are greater than the income of the property.DSCR >1Principal + Interest = $1,500Taxes = $250, Insurance = $100, Association Dues = $25Total PITIA = $1875 Rent = $2300DSCR = Rent/PITIA = 2300/1875 = 1.23If a purchase, you also generally need reserves / savings to show you have 3-6 month payments of PITIA (principal / interest (mortgage payment), property taxes and insurance and HOA (if applicable).