First-time Investor - Appreciation Markets

[Michael Margolis]

Hi Bigger

I joined BiggerPockets a few months back and have done a lot of reading and listening to David Greene's podcasts and the like.  I am living overseas indefinitely, so my first investment will be long-distance.  I have some capital and spoke with some brokers and lenders to make sure I could get things financed even though I'm employed overseas, and I believe I have that worked out.

My next step is determining the location to focus my efforts and start building a team and looking for deals.  I feel in a slight analysis paralysis about choosing the right area and would love any thoughts here on how to approach.  

Strategy:
1) I'd like to focus more on appreciation (don't mind waiting the 5-10 years).   Cash-flow is not my focus right now, so any positive cash-flow is a bonus, but just don't want to operate at a monthly loss (aka probably a bad investment).

2) I am probably more comfortable with a SFR buy and hold strategy. The BRRRR, Flipping, STR, Multi-family all interest me, but I feel like it would be better to get my feet wet with SFR first and consider other strategies in my next deals.

Couple of areas I have been considering, albeit with some reservations:

1) I've been looking at SW Florida where my parents live, but 1) the market had uber appreciation in the last couple years and I do wonder if it's "overpriced" at this point in time to get a good deal (perhaps not 5-10 years out).  Also the recent hurricane had me rethinking.

2) The Research Triangle in NC (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill).  I was born in that area and used to have a good deal of family there, but most have moved elsewhere.  Here as well though it appears that it has gotten 'hot' and perhaps late to the party?

Any thoughts, advice or assistance would be greatly appreciated!

[Ecaterina Katerina Morosan]

Hi Michael, depending on your budget I would recommend Brooklyn NY, Ft Lauderdale FL, North Miami Beach FL, Orlando FL. These are some of the markets most of our investor clients are interested in. We've run a number of studies to "predict" the market in these areas in terms of population growth, infrastructure, Income growth etc. I'd be happy to share our insights if needed.