Can't find cashflow

[Steven Kleppin]

Hey everyone!

I'm moving in a few months and I'm trying to find a place that makes sense to rent after I relocate again in about 3-4 years. I'd live in it for that time, then rent when I leave. However, everything on the market is negative cashflow unless I put somewhere around 50% down which isn't feasible right now. I'm looking at northern Virginia (NOVA) specifically Fairfax County and/or Alexandria and 3/2s are about $450k and rent for #2200 leaving a negative cashflow of -$400 to -$600.

Any suggestions? Is there a house-hacking technique or finance strategy I'm missing? I'd like to not throw away $100k in rent over 3-4 years but it's tough convincing myself that paying to hold onto the property makes sense. 

Thanks!

Steve

[Jacob Elbe]

@Steven Kleppin

I'm buying mostly in the Midwest, we actually have one we bought from @Engelo Rumora!  I started investing while we were stationed overseas, so I figured it didn't matter where I invested since it would be sight unseen and at a  distance anyways!  And no matter where I buy now, the military could move me somewhere across the globe in a couple of years again.  So we continue to invest where it makes the most sense for us.  Right now we look for strong cash flow.  Our current properties are in the Cleveland, Indianapolis, and Toledo markets.  We're looking at options in Richmond, but haven't made any offers in that area yet.  In the mean time we are still happy with the deals we're seeing in those markets.  

Let me know if you ever want to grab a coffee!