First post! Want to get started but need direction

[Christopher Hasting]

I’m not sure how to start this post so I’ll just get right to it. 

I’m 34 years old working active duty for the National Guard. I own a 2400 sqft, 4br/2ba house on 0.95 acres that’s paid off. I own another property that is also paid off - 6.2 acres of land that had an old single wide that was falling apart on it that I recently tore down. It has all of the utility hookups already so that saves me from having to spend much there. 

I currently live in my house on the weekends but I stay with a friend near where I work during the week because it’s 2.5 hours away and I don’t want to drive 5 hours a day.  The land is much closer to where I work and I plan to put a manufactured home on it.

I bought the land last year but I’ve been in this situation for the last 4 years. I know that I’ve left a lot of money on the table as I could have rented my house out long ago and made  quite a bit of money. I’m ready to get started now and I’m looking for advice on what to do. I have an idea on what I want to do but I’m not sure how to begin. I’m just looking for advice/direction. If any additional information is needed I’ll be more than happy to provide. Thank you. 

[Benjamin Aaker]

Hi Christopher,

When you find that you are all over the place on making a decision, it's usually because you don't have your long-term goals clear. You said in a previous post that you want to live in the house in middle-TN and pass it down to your daughter. Consider whether that is your long-term goal, or you would be happy with passing on some other place to her (or a bunch of cash). Maybe discuss it with her if she's old enough. Before doing anything else with these properties, make sure you have a vision for your future and that will guide you. Once you have that vision, let us know and I bet we can have some more focused advice.