The bank says you qualify. Your monthly cash flow might tell a different story. Amos sits down with Dave to talk through the gap between getting a mortgage and comfortably carrying a property, especially when taxes, repairs, and unexpected expenses enter the picture. Drawing on their own experience owning and investing in real estate, they discuss why a low mortgage rate can make moving harder, how rental risk changes from one market to another, and why the size of a property matters less than the return on the capital tied up in it. Amos shares a costly lesson from a tenant who caused roughly $80,000 in damage, while Dave explains why he began looking beyond New York for rental investments. They also debate rent freezes, housing supply, and whether a 50 year mortgage addresses the real affordability problem. For professionals and investors weighing their next property decision, this conversation brings the focus back to a practical question: does the purchase fit your life and your balance sheet, or does it only work on paper?

Chapters:

• (00:00:00) Mortgage approval versus what you can actually afford
• (00:02:00) Housing supply and the affordability squeeze
• (00:04:00) Renting versus buying and what makes a good property deal
• (00:07:00) Mortgage qualification, property taxes, and cash flow
• (00:10:00) An $80,000 tenant damage lesson
• (00:13:00) Rent freezes and the incentive to invest
• (00:18:00) Comparing rental returns in New York and Ohio
• (00:20:00) Why a 2% mortgage keeps homeowners from selling
• (00:24:00) Housing supply solutions and development opportunities
• (00:27:00) The debate over 50 year mortgages

Links and Resources:

• The Tales Of Endless Rewards: A Kids’ Guide to Money Management
• Dave Alexandre on LinkedIn
• Amos Akinyooye on LinkedIn
• Aston Consulting Group

Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to The ACG Podcast? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us in the comment section!