Indecision In San Diego

[Michael Jones]

I have about $30K set aside for my first REI.

I’m really struggling with where to get started. I like the cash flow potential of investing in the southeast, but the appreciation potential in San Diego makes my home market super appealing.

I have some ways to leverage a deal at home given a $200K equity position in our current home, but with a wife and two young kids, house hacking would be tough.

I was considering to keep our place now, rent it out and potentially buy another future investment with an FHA 3.5% down.

I've spent a lot of time reading, listening to podcasts and attending meetups. I also have a wife who is in general extremely skeptical about anything REI-related, but at the same time, she understands its power as an investment vehicle.

I just don’t want to make the wrong move initially. I’d call it analysis paralysis for sure.

My why? Building a better future for my family (kids’ college, no more future debt), getting into a better home with some more space and having passive income subsidize our lifestyle (which is not lavish by any stretch).

I am grateful for friends and family who have helped guide me to this point!1