Everything aligned before you sign
Five steps from your first call to a growing portfolio. Every step handled. Every deal repeatable.
It starts with a conversation
A 30-minute call to understand your goals, timeline, capital, and what kind of portfolio makes sense for your situation.
This isn't one-size-fits-all. Some investors move forward after the first session. Others take a few conversations before making a decision. We align on a plan, then review relevant properties from our inventory. By the end, you'll have a clear picture of how many properties it takes to reach your target income, which markets fit your budget, and what the numbers look like.
What we'll go through
- Your investment goals (rental income, portfolio size, timeline)
- Your budget and financing capacity
- Market recommendations based on your numbers
- Expected returns, expenses, and cash flow
- How each piece (lending, insurance, property management) connects to your deal
Come with questions. That's the point.
You need capital for a down payment (typically 20–25%) and the ability to qualify for a DSCR loan. Most investors start with $50,000–$80,000 total. We'll help you assess readiness during the call.
Properties that fit your plan
Once your investment plan is set, we match you with properties that fit. Every property is evaluated for location, rental demand, condition, and financial performance. You're not sifting through listings. You're choosing from a set that already meets your criteria.
Each property includes a full financial breakdown: purchase price, expected rent, expenses, cap rate, cash-on-cash return, and the DSCR ratio your lender will use. You see the numbers before you commit.
What's included with every property
- Full financial pro forma (income, expenses, returns)
- Property condition details and inspection reports
- Property management plan and fee structure
- Lending terms and pre-approval status
You don't need to visit
Every property is inspected, appraised, photographed, and financially underwritten before being added to the Lineage marketplace. You have independent inspection reports, third-party appraisals, video walkthroughs, and rent comps based on actual leases, not estimates.
Across thousands of transactions, no Lineage investor has needed to travel to resolve an issue. Mobile notaries handle closing documents wherever you are.
One coordinated close
Once you select a property, Lineage coordinates the entire close, including lending, insurance, and title, in parallel. No chasing providers. No waiting on one step to unblock another. At close, the property is titled in your name or your LLC. You own it outright. Not a share, not a fraction, not a fund position.
Lending
85% of Lineage investors finance through the platform using DSCR loans. Qualification is based on the property's rental income, not your W-2 or tax returns.
Insurance
Rental property insurance is placed as part of the close, not something you scramble to set up after. One policy, placed before closing day.
Title & close
Title, document prep, and closing coordination happen within the platform. The industry average is 30–45 days.
Don't just take our word for it
Every property is independently verified before closing
Independent appraisal
Confirms the property is worth what you're paying
Third-party inspection
Seller is required to address summary items. No “as-is” surprises. (Non-new construction)
Rent comps from the local property manager
Based on actual leases, not general market trends
Title search and insurance
Confirms clear ownership
Your Investment Consultant walks you through each report. If something doesn't check out, your deposit is returned.
“Despite numerous hiccups along the way with the seller's communication, rehab delays, and scheduling of inspections — none of which had anything to do with Lineage — with the team's support and advocacy, we were able to secure an excellent property with great cash flow and a stellar property manager.”
Adam A.
Lineage Investor
What you'll pay
Beyond the $749, we earn from service providers, not from you.
“Shouldn't I wait for prices to drop?”
This is the most common question we hear. Here's how we think about it.
Most investors have been taught to buy low and sell high: find a deal below market, flip it, and pocket the spread. That works for traders. It doesn't work for building a rental portfolio.
A property purchased at market value in a cash-flowing market often outperforms a “deal” that needs $15,000 in deferred maintenance and sits vacant for three months. The returns come from rental income, appreciation, tax benefits, and principal paydown, not from getting 10% under asking on a house with a dying HVAC.
We've run the math on every starting point: 2008 at the peak, 2011 at the bottom, and every year in between. In markets with diversified employment and strong rental demand, the entry point matters far less than the hold period. A property purchased in 2008 at the absolute peak still outperformed the S&P 500 over a 15-year hold when you include all four returns.
The decision isn't timing the market. It's finding a property where the math works and you can afford to hold it.
Illustrative of historical performance. Actual returns vary.
Your property manager is in place from day one
After closing, your property is placed with a local property manager from our network. They know your market and your property before the first tenant moves in. They handle tenant placement, maintenance, rent collection, and reporting.
You receive a monthly statement and deposit. Most investors want nothing more.
Your first 90 days
Day 1
You own the property. If it's a renovation, the seller signs a month-to-month lease. Income before your first payment.
Week 1–2
Property manager activates. If not leased, marketed immediately. Top markets lease within 10 days.
Month 1
First management statement. Review against your deposit. Takes 5 minutes.
Month 2–3
You're in a rhythm. 15 minutes a month. Review numbers, make decisions.
Month 6
First portfolio review. Returns tracking? Property manager performing? Time for property #2?
If something isn't working, your Investment Consultant helps resolve it. We engage directly with your property manager and, if needed, transition you to another partner in the network.
Optimize your portfolio
Ongoing management takes about 15 minutes a month. Review your statement, confirm it matches your deposit, and flag anything that looks off. You review the numbers. You make the calls. The platform does the coordination.
Portfolio visibility
We track your portfolio performance: cash flow, occupancy, maintenance costs, and equity across every property. You get regular updates and a clear view of where you stand without building your own spreadsheets.
Refinance & repositioning
We monitor your portfolio for refinance opportunities: equity build, rate changes, and DSCR improvements. When conditions shift, you hear about it. Your Investment Consultant is reviewing your portfolio quarterly and flagging opportunities.
Growth planning
When you're ready for your next property, we help you identify when and where to add it. Because Lineage already understands your portfolio, financing capacity, and goals, each deal moves faster than the last.
The tax picture
Rental property investing comes with significant tax advantages. Here's what to know.
Depreciation
The IRS allows you to deduct the cost of a rental property over 27.5 years. On a $175,000 property (excluding land), that's approximately $4,500 per year in non-cash deductions, even if the property is cash flow positive.
Cost segregation
A cost segregation study can accelerate depreciation by reclassifying parts of the property (appliances, landscaping) into shorter schedules. For higher-income investors, this can create larger first-year deductions. Ask your CPA if it's appropriate for your situation.
1031 exchanges
When you sell a rental property and reinvest, a 1031 exchange allows you to defer capital gains taxes. Investors use this to upgrade properties, shift markets, or grow a portfolio without triggering a tax event. We coordinate with your tax advisor and qualified intermediary.
This is educational content, not tax advice. Every investor's situation is different. Consult your tax advisor.
Read our full guide: The four returns of rental property investing
Common questions
Straight answers to what most investors ask before their first investment plan.
Start with an investment plan
A free 30-minute call to map out your rental portfolio. No commitment. No pressure. Just a clear view of the numbers.
Talk to an Investment Consultant