Plans For First Purchase

[Marston Garceau]

Hello bigger pockets community! My significant other and I have plans to move to Colorado early April. We are still deciding on where to live, but its between Denver and Fort Collins. Our plan is to purchase a duplex for our first rental property investment/House Hack, but we aren't sure on what the first action step should be. For example, do we need to find a lender where we will be moving to or can I start looking for lenders where we currently live now, in Ohio? We also aren't sure if its better to line up a real estate agent now, or wait to see how much we can qualify for using an FHA loan before reaching out to any agents in the Denver or Fort Collins area. Any insight would be greatly appreciated, it feels like we have this vision of exactly where we want to end up, but can't seem to see the first step right in front of us. I appreciate the time!

[Matt M.]

You should really consider renting first even if it's for 6 months or so. I direct all my inbound clients to do that. 

I'd contact a lender to see what you'll be able to afford. Price will dictate where you can live the most. Then you can go from there.