Build Your Legacy:
Investing in Real Estate

You don’t need to be a Wall Street mogul to build wealth in real estate. Some of the most successful investors in Southern Arizona started exactly where you are: with one house and a plan.

At Ask Jill Real Estate, we help you move beyond homeownership and into wealth ownership. Whether you’re looking to buy your first dedicated rental or want to turn your current home into an income stream, we provide the data, the strategy, and the Tucson connections to make it happen.

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The

"Move Up & Keep" Strategy

The smartest way to start your portfolio in 2026.

The most common way Jill helps clients become investors is through the "Primary-to-Rental" pivot. Instead of selling your current home when you’re ready for a change, you keep it, rent it out, and buy a new primary residence.

Why this works:

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Lower Interest Rates:

Since you bought your first home as a "primary residence," you likely have a lower interest rate than you could ever get on a pure "investment loan."

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Built-in Equity:

You can often use a HELOC (Home Equity Line of Credit) on your first home to fund the down payment on your second.

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The "75% Rule":

In many cases, lenders will allow you to use 75% of your projected rental income from your first home to help you qualify for the mortgage on your second.

Is Your

Current Home a Good Rental?

Before you commit, Just Ask Jill to run a "Rentability Audit" for you. We look at:

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The Cash Flow:

Does the market rent in your neighborhood (e.g., Blenman-Elm or Gladden Farms) cover your mortgage, taxes, insurance, and a 10% "oops" fund for repairs?

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The "Joesler" Factor:

Is your home in a high-demand area for long-term tenants?

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Tax Benefits:

We’ll discuss how depreciation can actually lower your taxable income and connect you with a tax advisor if you don’t have one to get the full details.

Tucson 

Investment Opportunities

Beyond the "Move Up" strategy, the Paddock Team specializes in:

  • Student Housing: High-demand rentals near the University of Arizona.
  • Short-Term Rentals: Navigating the "Airbnb" landscape in the Catalina Foothills.
  • Multifamily: Finding duplexes or triplexes that allow you to "House Hack"—living in one unit while the others pay your mortgage.

Common

Investor FAQs

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"Do I have to be a landlord?"

Jill says: Not at all. Most of our investors use professional property managers. They handle the "toilet and tenant" issues, making your investment truly passive.

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"What about the 2-out-of-5-year rule?"

Jill says: This is huge! If you’ve lived in your home for 2 of the last 5 years, you may be able to exclude up to $250k (individual) or $500k (married) in capital gains from taxes when you eventually sell. Once again, talk to your tax advisor to be sure this will work for your situation!”

Ready to Run the Numbers?

Don't guess at your future. Let's look at your current equity and the Tucson rental market to see if you’re sitting on a gold mine.