Advice in the Jacksonville Area

[Ashleigh Evans]

Hey BP!

I just moved to the Jacksonville area (military), and I'm looking for my second private residence that I will rent out in 2 years. I'm working with a realtor, and it just doesn't feel like I'll find a wise investment.

Jacksonville (especially in the beaches area, near the naval bases) isn't an area where people take care of their homes, so the amount you pay for a house that's really going to need a lot of work is astronomical.

Any advice? Alternatives to realtors maybe? Lessons learned?