Looking for creative solution to a unique situation

[Gabriel T.]

Hello BP!

The situation: I am graduating this December from UA Little Rock with a BS in construction management. In hindsight I wish I house-hacked instead of rented the past 5 years, but it is what it is and I realize there is not much sense in buying anything in Arkansas now when I plan on moving after I graduate. My REI goal is to own/manage multi-family while scaling as fast/efficiently as possible.

My job will involve travel, every 12-24 months or so. Does anyone have any advice or creative ideas to get into real estate while traveling like this? My initial thoughts are either;

1. House hack immediately and then rent the property when I move. (A little tricky to coordinate with FHA, but could be do-able)

2. Learn the market while i'm there and try to develop a good team, buy a property, move, and manage the manager out-of-state.

3. Get my real estate license in multiple states, utilize reciprocity when available, try to gain experience/ find mentor. (This would be very hard with my work schedule)

I understand this is far from ideal, I am not opposed to using this time to save for when I settle down, but I am eager to get in the game and get my feet wet. Is there any benefit in having sprawled real estate investments? Seems counterproductive to get involved in so many markets, have to learn so many state laws, etc. Looking for thoughts, advice. Any creative ideas I am overlooking, or should I be realistic and wait to settle down?

[Thomas S.]

Determine only one area to invest regardless of where you move in the future. Efficiency of scale will be far easier in regards to property management if you keep all your investments together. Scattering them around will likely kill any possibility of descent cash flow due to the increased costs of management.

Figure out where you want to end up locating when you are ready to settle and invest in that area from the beginning. If plans change in 10 years you can always sell.