Analyzed / paralyzed newbie, cash burning a hole in wallet

[Mark Neiger]

Been on BP for about a month now and this is my first post. I'm starting to feel that paralysis by analysis feeling. In the last year I've read two dozen books on real estate, done hours of research on the web, listened to half the podcasts on BP and have been scouring this forum. I'm interested in multi-family buy and hold investing. If any of you multi B&H experts on here want to give a little sage advice it would be most appreciated. My situation is as follows:

$145,000 in Roth IRAs and 401k

$35000 in available credit cards

No other savings at this time but ability to set aside $10,000 - 12,000 per yr

$80,000 annual income

Wife and I both 750+ credit scores

Only debt is $150000 in student loans between us

Have SFR in Downtown Orlando (100% financed, 100,000 1st / 55,000 2nd, 1500 per mo rent, 500 net after expenses and P&I, house shows 154,000 on Zillow)

Not quite sure what to do next. I want to concentrate on Orlando / South Florida. Should I look into <4 units or go 5 and above. With the money I have available I want to know what size of building and how much down payment I should look at. Or should I look to get investors. I have a full time career as a pilot so time is an issue since I'm out of town for long stretches of time. Do I see what I can qualify for for financing first or start hunting for properties. Thoughts / ideas?

[Jean Bolger]

What are you trying to do? Investing in your retirement accounts will grow your retirement accounts... but you look to be a long way from retirement. (Loaning is better than owning with retirement accounts, IMO.) Are you looking for cash flow now/soon? Do you love your job, or are you itching to quit?

I caution against thinking of that 35k in available credit card $ as an "asset". Think of it as a back up for your back up plan. That boring stuff the regular financial advisors tell you about a three to six month emergency fund is GOOD advice. Especially when you start buying more properties -- a few "little emergencies" and the slope gets slippery pretty quick.

So you could definitely use more liquidity. Start stashing away as much as you can each month as you continue to refine your goals and plan.

It sounds like your SFR is a rental, not your house. Do you rent now? Would you consider an owner-occ multi? You could get a good loan on one and move on/up in a year or two.