Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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Episode #1307

Baselane: Automate your rental cash flow for a chance to win $10K plus BiggerPockets Pro members get a free upgrade to Baselane Smart. Sign up now 👇:
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*You don’t have to buy your first rental property—you can build one instead.* Newer systems, fewer repairs, and that “brand new” feeling that tenants may pay more rent for. But…is it worth it? *Building a small multifamily* in a single-family area could let you house hack and *own a rare property in your market,* but is the headache worth the effort?

With *more and more investors choosing to build rather than buy,* we thought we’d weigh in.

*Dave and Henry* are back answering your questions from the *BiggerPockets Forums.* Today, we’re talking about *building vs. buying rentals, when an investment property is too old* to be worth buying, the *lender-friendly rehab budget* Henry uses to get loans for his BRRRRs (buy, rehab, rent, refinance, repeat) and house flips, and *whether wholesalers* (middlemen) *are worth buying properties from.*

Plus, if you’re house hacking, *should you tell the tenant you’re the owner?* Dave tried to hide it before, and shares whether it was worth it.

Episode Show Notes:
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Baselane is a financial technology company and is not an FDIC-insured bank. Banking services provided by Thread Bank, Member FDIC.

NO PURCH. NEC. Open to legal residents of 50 US/DC, 18+ & are landlords/real estate investors. Void where prohibited. Ends 9/30/26. Subject to Rules/free entry method: baselane.com/10K-terms

00:00 Intro
01:10 Build vs. Buy Your First Rental
06:29 Are OLD Properties Worth Buying?
12:37 BEST Decade Build for Rentals
14:26 Sponsor: Baselane!
15:29 Lender-Ready Renovation Budget
21:54 Pretend You AREN'T the Owner?
26:23 Working with Wholesalers (Should You?)