if you had 20K? what would you do with it?

[Jonathan Beemer]

Hi BP,
how would you invest your 20K?
with all the options in RE i want to see what you would do with 20K. 
my situation:
1. i will be stationed in the US in 10 months and will have 20K to invest.
2. i will need to live in what i invest in, whether that be 1 unit in a duplex, or the SFH i invest in.
3. i am not sure what loans i qualify for. i will find out when it gets closer to the time when i move.
4. i will try to use a VA loan (no down payment, etc.)

so would you split it up and put 10K as a down payment and 10K on rehab on a fix/live? sell when its time to move or rent it out when i move?
would you invest the 20K in a duplex? maybe even 15K and have 5K for rehab?
any other options you would advise on: please explain the reasoning.

thank you!

[Kevin Siedlecki]

@Jonathan Beemer

In your position, I would get a VA loan on a 2-4 unit property, and plan to rent it out when you move. Of course, if the market has exploded and you can make a nice profit, then maybe sell, but buy something that makes sense to rent out when you move. Then repeat in a year or two with an FHA, rent that one out, and you'll have 2 nice cash-flowing properties to get your REI career off the ground. That's just what I would do. I'm sure other people have other ideas, too!