Seeking Strategy Help

[Milan Villarreal]

Our situation: My wife and I have a 4bed 3bath house in the RGV with a pool and 2.5% interest rate. We have about 230k of equity in the house. But we likely will be moving in a year to San Antonio or Austin. We want to get started with Real Estate Investing and grow a portfolio. Our idea is to rent out our home and move into a multifamily, do a house hack, get an FHA or conventional loan, using the equity on our valley house, by either a HELOC or cash out refinance… but I'm nervous about getting into debt. Any guidance is appreciated. We are excited to be part of this community.

[Joseph Ryan]

@Milan Villarreal I hate to sound like a broken record but it depends on what you mean by "doing well." I have a good buddy who has a 4 plex in the valley and he has been transitioning to arb bnb and making good money but he is there cleaning and managing his online reputation so it is pretty time intesive. I have a long term 4 plex where I initially set up the systems (I self-manage), got year long leases signed, and only occasionally have to text my handymen to do certain things. I have more time for my more lucrative professional career and to spend with my wife, 3-year old and my10 month old. Air bnb with good systems def seem to have higher returns.