Guidance on First Investment Property and Strategy

[Cameron Turley]

Hi all, 

Been listening to and reading BiggerPockets for about a year now. I've been working over that year and have about 50k saved up for my first investment, and have been waiting around for the right opportunity, along with deciding on what market I think I'll be in with my wife beginning her job post-grad school. I'm thinking right now that we'll be in Canton, GA for her job, so that is likely where I'll buy my first house. I've read a little bit about it, and it seems like it could be a decent market with remote work becoming more prominent and so many jobs coming to Atlanta. 

The questions I have now are these. If we'll likely be moving to Canton around the July - August time frame, should my focus be to find a house there that I could ideally BRRRR and house hack move with an FHA loan, or are there other things I can do before I have to do this later in the year? I'm really just trying to maximize the amount I have now and create some momentum, but I'm unsure on how to do so. In some of the podcasts, I've heard to try to get into the nicest neighborhood in your market right now, but since I'm not able to live too far away from Canton, I don't think it's feasible that we'll be living close to Atlanta where a lot of developing and growth is going on.

Also, does anyone have any insight to buying properties off market? I know that I can just connect with a wholesaler in my market, but is there anything other than just reaching out and finding one that I should do? It's looking like I'll have to find one off-market to find a good deal, regardless of my strategy, but I'm open to any advice. I've also never gone to the courthouse to see available foreclosed properties. Does this still work?

Looking forward to reading any of the replies. Would also love to connect in person if anyone here in ATL would like to! I graduated from Georgia Tech last summer and played baseball there as well! Thanks in advance!

-Cam