Rent vs. Buy: Why Not Both?

Josh Perez • May 9, 2024

It's Josh Perez, and today I want to dive into a topic that doesn't get enough attention: the idea of renting where you live while simultaneously buying property as an investment. It's a strategy that can significantly boost your financial outlook, yet it's often overshadowed by the classic debate of renting vs. buying.


Let's break it down.

If you choose to buy and invest right now, you have to find a property that has a path toward cash flowing and does not become a burden for your monthly budget.

First off, why limit yourself to just one option? Renting provides flexibility and freedom, while buying property offers the potential for long-term wealth accumulation. So, why not do both?


Here's the key: when you decide to invest in property, it's crucial to find a place with the potential to generate cash flow without straining your monthly budget. This means seeking out properties that can cover their own expenses and even produce a surplus income.


Why is cash flow so important? Well, it's the foundation of real estate investing. By having someone else cover your monthly expenses, you not only create a steady income stream, but you also benefit from your mortgage being paid down over time.


But the perks don't stop there. As you hold onto your investment property, you'll also enjoy the potential for appreciation over the years. This can result in two significant advantages: a larger down payment if you decide to sell the property and buy your own home, or a reduced down payment if you opt to refinance and keep the asset while purchasing your dream home.


In either scenario, your financial situation gets a serious boost.


So, if you've been sitting on the fence, debating whether to rent or buy, consider this alternative approach. Why not take advantage of both options to supercharge your financial future?


If you're intrigued and want to explore this strategy further, shoot me a message. Let's work together to build a personalized plan that aligns with your goals and sets you up for success.



Don't limit yourself to conventional wisdom. With the right strategy, you can have the best of both worlds: the flexibility of renting and the wealth-building potential of real estate investment. Let's make it happen.

Josh Perez
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Deposit Lending And Bridge Financing

By Josh Perez • April 30, 2025
Let’s say you have a home that you’ve outgrown; it’s time to make a move to something better suited to your needs and lifestyle. You have no desire to keep two properties, so selling your existing home and moving into something new (to you) is the best idea. Ideally, when planning out how that looks, most people want to take possession of the new house before moving out of the old one. Not only does this make moving your stuff more manageable, but it also allows you to make the new home a little more “you” by painting or completing some minor renovations before moving in. But what if you need the money from the sale of your existing home to come up with the downpayment for your next home? This situation is where bridge financing comes in. Bridge financing allows you to bridge the financial gap between the firm sale of your current home and the purchase of your new home. Bridge financing allows you to access some of the equity in your existing property and use it for the downpayment on the property you are buying. So now let’s also say that it’s a very competitive housing market where you’re looking to buy. Chances are you’ll want to make the best offer you can and include a significant deposit. If you don’t have immediate access to the cash in your bank account, but you do have equity in your home, a deposit loan allows you to make a very strong offer when negotiating the terms of purchasing your new home. Now, to secure bridge financing and/or a deposit loan, you must have a firm sale on your existing home. If you don’t have a firm sale on your home, you won’t get the bridge financing or deposit loan because there is no concrete way for a lender to calculate how much equity you have available. A firm sale is the key to securing bridge financing and a deposit loan. So if you’d like to know more about bridge financing, deposit loans, or anything else mortgage-related, please connect anytime! It would be a pleasure to work with you.

Should You Double Down or Diversify in Real Estate Investing?

By Josh Perez • April 30, 2025
If you’re crushing it with duplex conversions, Airbnb rentals, flips, or student housing, you might be wondering: Should I double down on what’s working—or start learning about other strategies to diversify my real estate portfolio? It’s a great question—and one I get asked all the time. My typical advice? Double down on your strengths, outsource your weaknesses. If you’ve found a strategy that fits your skills, market, and cash flow goals, it’s smart to build momentum. But in real estate—especially in today’s market—it’s just as important to stay informed and flexible. Why Staying Educated Matters Real estate isn’t static. The rules of the game are constantly changing. Lending practices shift. Local bylaws evolve. What worked flawlessly last year may become less profitable—or even unviable—this year. Here’s what I mean: “If lenders and banks don’t want to lend as much on certain assets—like student rentals or short-term rentals—or they start to clamp down on duplex conversions, that changes your rate of return. That changes the rules of the game.” If your entire strategy depends on leverage (and let’s face it, most real estate investing does), changes in financing can dramatically shift the effectiveness of your current approach. Keep Learning, Stay Adaptable Even if you’re succeeding now, always keep learning. New strategies like BRRRR, rent-to-own, mid-term furnished rentals, or commercial opportunities might offer different advantages in changing markets. You don’t need to master them all, but you do need to understand how they work—and when it might make sense to pivot. Final Thoughts Crushing one niche? Keep going. But don’t ignore the bigger picture. As markets evolve, being aware of shifting rules, lender policies, and local regulations will give you the edge.  At the end of the day, the best investors aren’t just good at one strategy—they’re nimble, informed, and proactive. If you want to chat about how to strengthen your current investments and position yourself for what’s next, let’s connect.