Looking for a zip-code to invest in at or near Tampa.

[Matheus Santos]

I’m active duty currently serving overseas and will be done with my contract in mid 2024. I own a townhome in in Colorado Springs and have enjoyed great appreciation and reasonable cash flow since last year. Once finished with the military I’ll be moving to Florida somewhere near Tampa due to employment opportunities. My goal is to apply the same strategy of buying a townhome, staying for 1 year and repeat the process. I’d also like to network and know as much as I can about this market. If I come across a good deal I’d be willing to purchase a property even while overseas. Thank you in advance!

[Edwin Epperson]

@Matheus Santos I'll extend a warm welcome to a Coloradoan!  We love our summer, water, and cigars!  I'm assuming based on your comment you will be working on McDill AFB.  Are you currently involved in USASOC or SOCOM?  I got out in 15 from 7th SFG as an 18E.  Reside here in Tampa, and invest in RE through lending.  Also, manage a small crypto fund, I know pretty broad risk levels but it piques my interest.  Happy to help out if you need it.  I would say to pin-point a zip code in 2022 for where you will invest in 2024... may need a second consideration.  There is a lot of growth to the North of Tampa, Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills, and Dade City.  These places are exploding in growth, but may very well be cooled down in 1.5 yrs when you get out.  Also, you will very much want to consider your investing strategy as far as loan qualifying factors, and where the rates and economy are at.  I would say look at several zip codes, in the areas I mentioned for future growth, and look in the zip codes in areas of Ybor City, East Tampa, and Temple Terrace for gentrification growth.  There are some really stable markets that do not have the age yet to justify getting properties under contract with steeply discounted prices (at least they are not as available as in the gentrification areas I mentioned.  These stable areas tend to be Carrollwood, New Tampa, South Tampa, and West Shore.  Of course you can find deals anywhere at any time, but for best practices, those are the areas that have different levels of real estate activity and it will be up to you to determine your strategy.  Best wishes and if you are ever in town visiting between now and 2024 hit me up, always happy to meetup, smoke a cigar and chat business.