A few questions for anyone that can help.

[Richard Mace]

Good evening, everyone.

This is my first post and I really enjoy everyone’s insight reading through BP. I am writing this from my partners couch in the U.K. I am currently stuck here due to COVID and waiting to return to my place of work in Germany. I have a few “loaded” questions.

A little about me and my plan.

My intent for investing in real estate is primarily cash flow.

I would like to buy 2-3 houses over the next year. I am doing this remotely as I work primarily overseas (Already read David Greens long distance real estate book- Amazing). My plan is to focus on multi-family homes MFH) but I am open to single family homes (SFH). I am a veteran and have access to a Va Loan. I currently have 15K in waiting for my initial deal and I can save at the least 5k each month and could potentially squeeze 6500k if I'm real actively frugal.

Here are the questions I have.

1) I have a car loan that was converted to a 15% personal loan because titles work differently in the UK and I couldn’t send it to my bank without having my registration which is required by law. I have sold the car off and have the money. Should I pay it off or save the money and hold it in reserve towards a down payment? I want to keep it open and not completely paid off to reflect on my credit score positively.

Original loan: $16k

Balance: $7500

Amount from sale: $9k

2) As I said before, I have 15k now and will save at least 5k each month. Should I look to get into a deal sooner and go with a SFH or should I wait and look for a good MFH deal- taking into consideration the developing financial environment.

3) I planned on using my VA Loan towards a quadplex and I think I could justify this in Tampa as that is where I will be moving in under a year and I would likely rent 3 while holding the other as legitimately my home with internet and utilities set up for when I am in the states on business. (Also I want to be able to vote in Florida in November).

4) Ultimately I want to get my real estate license in Florida. Is there a way to “hang my license” while “working” for a brokerage remotely? I wouldn’t mind paying dues (within reason) to have my license. How much are dues? I’m sure they fluctuate between brokerages and localities.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.