Best Housing Market - Out of State Rentals

[Serena Tillman]

Hi all!

My name is Serena Tillman and I'm new to Bigger Pockets. During this pandemic and social distancing, my hope is to truly grasp REI as much as possible to start the process of purchasing my first property at the end of this year/early 2021! I'm having my 2nd baby in October so my goal is to eventually dictate my own schedule with several properties and be able to work from home to be with the kids.

Enough about me - I’m currently living in California through 2021 due to the pandemic and will be going back to NJ with my family once things settle down. Should I look to invest in California? NJ? Another market that is cheaper than both (I.e. Dallas, Jacksonville, Orlando)? Generally open to suggestions as I learn as much as possible in this season!

Thanks all!

[Todd Dexheimer]

Think about out of state investing and if it is the right choice for you. You will need to travel quite a bit when you're in the active buying mode and then a few times each year during the maintain mode. If that works for you and you feel that you can find the team to help with your success, then you need to find the market. 

First you need to learn how to identify a market and sub-market that will check all of the right boxes. Here is a guide that I wrote to help you through that process. 

https://www.biggerpockets.com/member-blogs/10145/83188-finding-emerging-markets

Here are a few suggested markets. There are many more good ones out there

https://www.biggerpockets.com/member-blogs/10145/68178-top-real-estate-markets-to-invest-in-through-2020