Active Duty Military stuck at a crossroads before deploying next year.

[Danny Ricco]

So I am a single active duty military member about to go on deployment next year in the navy. For the last two years I have been renting out an apartment using my BAH. BAH is what the military gives me to live out in town, which for me in Norfolk, Virginia, is 1500 a month. Recently I have been trying to get into real estate investment now to make the most out of my BAH while I’m still in the navy. My apartment lease ends in October.

I’m looking at getting a multi family unit and house hacking. Except I only have 6 thousand in my funds right now, and go on deployment in January next year. 

My question is this. Would it be a better idea to try and buy a multi family residence now, and have family and friends or a property manager watch over the property while I’m away. Or find a place to live for a couple months when my lease ends, and cash the BAH checks into the savings and come back from deployment with an estimated 20,000 in my bank account, and use that money to start investing. Thank you very much I’m advance I appreciate any advice I can get!