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Insights for Savvy Investors

Isaac Shani Isaac Shani

Shifting Currents in the Dallas Section 8 Market: How Savvy Investors Can Adapt

The Dallas Section 8 market is in transition. Inventory is rising, voucher mobility is limited, and tenants are becoming more selective about where and how they rent. While this has led to longer lease-up times in some areas, it has also created exceptional buying opportunities, especially for 4-bedroom homes under $300K in fast-growing suburbs. Understanding these shifts — from DHA’s tighter rent approvals to sharper seasonal swings — is key to securing strong, long-term returns.

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Isaac Shani Isaac Shani

Investing Through Uncertainty: Why Real Estate Remains Part of My Strategy

In a market full of uncertainty, investors are asking what still works when headlines shift weekly and forecasts prove unreliable. For me, real estate isn’t a silver bullet. It’s a steady source of income, control, and long-term value that complements other assets in my portfolio. This post explores why I continue to invest in Dallas, how Section 8 adds a layer of reliability, and what risks I watch closely. From rising insurance costs to HUD rent pressures, I cover both sides of the equation. Real estate may not be perfect, but in today’s environment, it’s one of the few strategies that still lets me sleep at night.

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🛫 McKinney’s Airport Takeoff: What It Means for Your Next Rental Investment

North Dallas is getting a new commercial airport—and that’s about to reshape everything. McKinney National is already fueling jobs and development, but once flights begin in 2026, the surrounding towns could see a real estate boom. In this post, we break down what the “airport effect” actually means, where the real opportunity lies, and why cities like Anna, Princeton, and Melissa are worth a closer look. If you’ve been waiting for the next wave of Dallas growth, this is the signal investors shouldn’t miss.

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Why Dallas Still Wins: Renters, Growth, and the Great Suburban Shift

While headlines warn of slowing sales and falling prices, Dallas is telling a different story. Suburban rental demand is surging, development is pushing north, and long-term fundamentals remain strong. This post looks beyond the fear and breaks down why investor-grade real estate in DFW still works — even in a market with fewer buyers. If you’re focused on cash flow and long-term upside, now is the time to lean in.

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Why Abundance Affirms Dallas Over Regulated Blue-State Markets

Housing scarcity isn’t just about money, it’s about policy. In Abundance, Ezra Klein explains how overregulation, NIMBYism, and bureaucratic gridlock have stifled growth across much of the U.S., especially in blue states. But Texas, and Dallas in particular, is charting a different course. From fast permitting to pro-landlord policies and a Section 8 program that actively partners with investors, Dallas is proving that abundance is possible. This post explores how policy, growth, and investor mindset intersect — and why Dallas may be America’s best-kept real estate secret.

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🗞️ SolMidas Monthly: June 2025 Investor Market Snapshot

Sales held mostly steady this June across Dallas, but leasing times rose noticeably, even as rents stayed near peak levels. SolMidas investors will want to look closely at the local city and zip code data — not all submarkets are moving the same. With builder competition, voucher program freezes, and renters staying put longer, success comes down to understanding what’s real — and what’s noise. We’ve pulled the data, so you don’t have to.

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Thinking in Decades: Why Long-Term Real Estate Investors Sleep Better at Night

When one of my rental properties turned into a short-term headache—tenant eviction, bug infestation, negative cash flow—I almost gave up. But a few years later, it’s now one of my top performers. In this week’s post, I break down why long-term thinking beats short-term reactions, especially in the Section 8 space. We’ll walk through the math, the mindset, and the moments when it’s still smart to sell. If you’re playing the 10+ year game, this one’s for you.

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🏗️ Behind the Hammer: How Labor Raids Could Reshape the Dallas Investment Landscape

Recent ICE raids and labor protests across Texas have put fresh pressure on the construction workforce—and that stress is starting to show in the Dallas housing market. From builder incentives to maintenance delays, investors are navigating a more complicated landscape than the headlines suggest. In this post, we break down what’s really happening behind the scenes and how it could affect your next move. Whether you’re buying new or holding steady, understanding these labor dynamics is key to staying ahead.

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How Many Properties Should You Really Own?

Most real estate investors start with one property—but what happens after that? In this week’s post, I dive into what I’ve learned from managing properties across Texas, Missouri, and Tennessee about the right number of doors to own. From reducing risk and maximizing cash flow to unlocking tax benefits and negotiating better property management fees, scaling your portfolio isn’t just about more—it’s about smarter. I also share how I think about real estate as a percentage of total assets, and what experts recommend. If you’re thinking about property #2 (or #5), don’t miss this one.

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What DHA’s HAP Freeze Means for Investors (And Why We’re Still Bullish on Dallas)

A few weeks ago, we discovered something unusual while screening a strong Section 8 applicant—her housing voucher didn’t cover the rent we expected. That small discrepancy led us to uncover a bigger shift: the Dallas Housing Authority has frozen HAP amounts for voluntary moves in 2025. While this could shrink the tenant pool short-term, it’s not the red flag some may fear. We spoke directly with DHA insiders and are sharing what this change really means—and why Dallas still holds strong long-term potential for smart investors.

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Where Dallas Is Growing Next: A Smarter Way to Bet on the Suburbs

The Dallas real estate map is changing—and fast. As prices rise and inventory tightens closer to the city, families and builders are looking north and east to towns like Princeton, Royse City, and Celina. But where there’s growth, there isn’t always rental demand—especially for Section 8 housing. This week, we break down the next wave of suburban expansion, what’s driving it (hint: jobs and affordability), and how to identify smart investment zones that work for both appreciation and consistent rent checks. Fort Worth gets a look too, as a quieter but powerful alternative. If you’re watching the edges of the map, this one’s for you.

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📉 Why Mortgage Rates Are Rising — and It’s Not the Fed

Mortgage rates are back on the rise — but the story goes deeper than Fed policy. Behind the recent jump lies bond market volatility and investor demand for higher yields, which directly impact long-term borrowing costs. In this post, I unpack what’s really driving rates, how it’s cooling the traditional housing market, and why Dallas still offers opportunity — especially for investors focused on cash flow, long-term growth, and single-family rentals under FHA limits. If you’re wondering whether now is the time to act or wait, this breakdown will give you the context and clarity to move forward with confidence.

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A Tale of Two Properties: Why I Sold in Seattle and Doubled Down on Dallas

I used to own a $700K rental in Seattle—until the numbers (and the laws) no longer made sense. From rising operating costs to new statewide rent control, the regulatory landscape kept tightening. So I sold and reinvested in two Dallas-area properties instead—each producing stronger cash flow and fewer headaches. In this post, I walk through both deals in detail, including taxes, rent caps, eviction rules, and appreciation trends. If you’re weighing where to invest next, this side-by-side story may give you clarity.

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🏠 Will Trump’s 2026 Budget Really Threaten Section 8? A Calm Look Behind the Headlines

Trump’s proposed 2026 HUD cuts have rattled headlines, but Dallas landlords shouldn’t rush to panic. With a decades-long track record of bipartisan support, a strong local housing authority, and sky-high tenant demand, the fundamentals of Section 8 remain steady. While budget battles play out in Washington, the real story for investors is local: smart landlords know this market is a long game, and staying informed—not reactive—is what keeps cash flow strong. In the end, housing is a need that never disappears—and those positioned well stand to weather the storm.

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The Real Risks of Dallas Real Estate (and How to Navigate Them)

Investing in Dallas real estate offers big opportunities—but it’s not without risk. In this post, I break down the real challenges investors face, from seasonal vacancies and Section 8 payment pressures to maintenance surprises and shifting neighborhoods. Drawing on lessons from my Georgetown MBA and firsthand experience, I share strategies to navigate these risks and explain why, despite it all, I’m still bullish on Dallas.

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Why Dallas Ranks #1 for Real Estate Investment Potential

Every year, we re-run the numbers to make sure our strategy still holds—and this year, Dallas once again came out on top. In our latest multi-metric analysis of the 10 largest U.S. real estate markets, Dallas ranked first overall for long-term investor potential. We looked at population growth, rent yields, housing stock, appreciation, and landlord policy—and Dallas delivered across the board. But beyond the metrics, it’s the city’s consistency, resilience, and investor infrastructure that set it apart. If you’re looking for a data-backed reason to invest with confidence, this is the post you’ll want to read.

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How I Evaluate a Deal in 5 Minutes (Or Less)

Before I check the news or pour my first cup of coffee, I’m already scanning new listings. In just a few minutes, I can usually tell whether a property is worth diving into—or whether it’s better left alone. Over time, I’ve built a quick, reliable process for evaluating investment potential at a glance: from rent-to-price ratio and property condition to flood zones, big-ticket systems, and HOA red flags. This isn’t theory—it’s the same real-world screen I use every morning to identify the best deals for our investors. Here’s how it works—and why it might change how you hunt for your next rental.

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Vacancy: The Largest Expense in Property Investment

Vacancy isn’t just a temporary gap in rent—it’s the single biggest threat to an investor’s bottom line. While costs like taxes and management fees are easy to plan for, a vacant home bleeds money in two directions: zero income and costly turnovers. In this post, we break down how even a single month of vacancy can derail your returns, why timing and tenant care matter, and how Section 8 offers a built-in advantage when it comes to stability. For investors in 2025, reducing downtime isn’t optional—it’s the edge.

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Trump’s Tariffs and the Real Estate Ripple: What They Mean for Dallas-Ft Worth Investors

Trump’s new tariffs are sending shockwaves through global markets—but in Dallas, they may quietly reshape the real estate landscape. With higher construction costs, labor uncertainty, and fewer new homes hitting the market, investors holding existing properties could find themselves in a stronger position than ever. For those still on the sidelines, this shift could mark the return of serious rental demand—and a window worth watching closely.

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Providence Village and the Section 8 Fallout

Providence Village was once a top-tier target for Section 8 investors—modern homes, rising values, and voucher rents north of $3K/month. But in just a few years, discriminatory HOA rules and a shocking policy reversal from Trump’s HUD have flipped the script. Now, with the federal government backing off enforcement, local politics are calling the shots—and investors need to pay attention. The fallout from this case isn’t just about one neighborhood; it’s a warning about what can happen when landlords stay silent and HOAs go unchecked. In 2025, knowing your HOA’s stance on rentals—and showing up before it’s too late—could be the difference between cash flow and catastrophe.

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