Initial Context

At age 23, I co-acquired a Bay Area single-family property off-market with my brother in December 2021. The opportunity emerged during the pandemic when interest rates hit historic lows. We ran the numbers, confirmed the investment potential, and moved quickly on an as-is purchase.

The property required immediate attention — old roof causing leaks, termite damage in walls, and deferred maintenance throughout. We structured the project as a capital investment with a clear delivery constraint: get the property tenant-ready within 60 days or face unsustainable carrying costs.

Scope, Budget & Schedule

• Scope: Phase 1 focused on minimal but strategic investment — address safety and structural issues (roof replacement, termite-damaged walls, etc.), then add features to drive rental value and tenant appeal.

• Budget: $150K renovation budget. Required disciplined prioritization — invest in what was essential for safety, compliance, and rent optimization, not full-scale remodel.

• Schedule:60-day delivery window to tenant occupancy. Missing this timeline would have created financial pressure we couldn't absorb.

Execution Strategy

Conducted rental comps to assess market positioning and revenue potential. Analyzed renting to individuals vs. family occupancy — determined individual room rentals would yield higher returns in this market.

Managed concurrent workstreams: renovation execution while simultaneously marketing, screening, and securing tenants. This parallel approach compressed the stabilization timeline and ensured cashflow started immediately upon completion.

Prioritized work by risk and revenue impact:

1. Roof replacement (eliminated leak risk and future capital failure)

2. Termite damage remediation (structural integrity)

3. Interior upgrades to support rental positioning (paint, finishes, layout adjustments)

Leveraged trusted contractor relationships and sought guidance from a construction industry mentor to navigate compliance and sequencing decisions.

Asset Management (Ongoing — 4 Years)

Since acquisition, I've managed all landlord responsibilities:

• Tenant placement, lease administration, and turnover management

• Maintenance coordination and vendor management

• Financial tracking and reinvestment decisions

• Ensuring property performance and occupancy stability

The property remains fully leased with individual room rentals generating higher yields than single-family occupancy, while I maintain oversight remotely.

Outcomes & Impact

• Delivered on schedule: Property tenant-ready within 60 days, meeting critical cashflow deadline

• Delivered on budget: $150K Phase 1 renovation completed without overrun

• Secured rental income: Tenant placement covered carrying costs immediately

• Increased asset value: Property appreciation from $1.2M purchase to ~$1.6M current valuation

• Sustained operations: 4 years of continuous occupancy and asset management

• Phased reinvestment: Operating surplus funded Phase 2 upgrades (deck, landscape) without additional capital