1. Will you live there?
Owner-occupied purchases can open different financing options and change how you think about the building.
2. What are the real rents?
Use documented current rents and leases, not projections alone.
3. What does it cost to operate?
List taxes, insurance, utilities paid by the owner, maintenance, and vacancy reserves.
4. What condition is it really in?
Roofs, heating systems, electrical, and plumbing can change the math quickly. Inspect carefully.
5. What's your long-term plan?
Hold, improve, refinance, or eventually sell — your strategy decides which property fits.
General education only — not legal, tax, or financial advice.
About the author
Andy Bernardo is a bilingual real-estate advisor licensed in New Jersey with Realty ONE Group Sunrise. He writes and teaches to make real estate easier to understand.