I get what you’re saying about “boring” being a good thing. I used to scroll through listings and skip right over the plain brick ranches or duplexes, thinking they were just too dull. But after running numbers on a few “exciting” properties—ones with big rent potential but weird layouts or oddball neighborhoods—I realized how much risk comes with chasing that upside.
I ended up buying a basic two-bed, one-bath in a neighborhood where nothing dramatic ever happens. Rent’s not sky-high, but it’s steady. The tenants are mostly people who just want peace and quiet, and honestly, I’m fine with that. I’ve got one friend who went for a “unique” triplex in an up-and-coming area, and he’s constantly dealing with turnover and repairs. He’s making more on paper, but he’s also losing sleep over vacancy and maintenance.
I do wonder sometimes if I’m missing out by not being more aggressive, but every time I see another horror story about rent spikes or surprise assessments, I feel better about my choice. It’s not flashy, but at least I know what to expect each month.
I guess it comes down to what kind of stress you’re willing to take on. Some people thrive on the chase, but I’d rather have boring and predictable than exciting and unpredictable—especially when it’s my bank account on the line. Maybe I’ll get braver down the road, but for now, I’m happy with “boring.”
