1
Get pre-approved, not pre-qualified.
A verified pre-approval letter is the difference between a wish and an offer. Ask your lender for the full underwriter review before you tour homes.
Investor Tips
Real talk from a real Houston realtor.
These are the same conversations I have with clients before every deal. Steal them freely.
2
Know your numbers before you fall in love.
For investments, I run the 1% rule, cap rate, and cash-on-cash return on every property before we walk in. Emotion is the enemy of returns.
3
Neighborhood beats house | every time.
You can renovate a kitchen. You can't move a house. Study the school district, crime trend, and 5-year appreciation before you commit.
4
Off-market is where the deals live.
About 30% of my investor closings come from pocket listings, wholesalers, and direct-to-seller campaigns. Networks matter.
5
Reserve 6 months of PITI | minimum.
Vacancies, roof leaks, and evictions happen. Cash reserves keep investors in the game long enough to actually win.
6
Understand Houston's flood zones.
Zone X vs AE changes your insurance, your resale, and your rental appeal. I pull the flood report on every property, every time.