Don't Know What to Do Next.

[Chad Becht]

I am new to real estate investing, and I find myself in a situation where I have no answers other than to wait. I will summarize my back story on my situation, so it makes more sense. I am enlisted in as AGR (Active Guard Reserve) in the Oklahoma National Guard, and I also almost a full-time student, I save any money I can, and it is typically $300 a month or any extra money I come across so that I can invest in a new property.  My plan is to buy a new property once every 3 years maybe since that's usually when I will have to move locations within the state for work. Currently I have a rental property in Broken Arrow, OK that I currently make a little over $100 a month in profit, and last year I bought a house in Edmond OK that I currently live in. My current issue is that I have a promotion on its way and to rent my current property, I would either have break even or lose money if I rented it today and I don't see that price changing within the next year which I fear will interfere with my goals. I don't know what I should do next or how to plan forward from here. Any advice would be much appreciated.

[Jay Thomas]

I understand the challenges you face as an AGR and student investor, and I empathize with your frustration. While waiting for your ideal property can be tough, it's crucial to align your decisions with your long-term goals. Consider adjusting your investment timeline by focusing on longer-term options like index funds or real estate investment trusts (REITs) for passive income and potential growth. Explore military benefits such as VA loans or housing programs to optimize your capital. Analyze your current properties, like the Broken Arrow rental—optimize for profitability through renovations or adjusted rent—and the Edmond residence—explore multi-family conversion or room rentals for extra income. Additionally, look into alternative investment options like real estate crowdfunding, fix-and-flip projects, or house hacking to diversify your approach and make the most of your unique situation.