Where to go next!

[Matthew Sichel]

Hey All,

I’m hoping for some advice or guidance on my next move in the real estate world. I’ll give some background then state my current situation and see what you all think my next move should be. 

I’m 28 and just got my feet wet in the real estate world last year. I’m very new and have a ton to learn still. Last year I was fortunate to be able to purchase 3 SFHs in the the Cleveland area. All of which are cash flowing nicely. Two Properties were turn key and 1 I did a light rehab too. All 3 have some equity however nothing id consider using right now. 

I just left my full time W2 job to give my business 100% as that's how I was fortunate enough to save money to purchase 3 properties in a year in the first place. I'm getting to the point where I have enough cash on hand to start thinking about my next real estate purchase. I told my self this year I want a quality investment focused on long term appreciation rather than just looking at cash flow. I also was thinking about possibly getting into the STR rental market and trying an Airbnb. (Very interested in the Tampa area specifically for both a STR or long term rental)

To make things tougher I’m at a point in my life we’re me and my GF are looking to move in together.

Naturally you would think my next move should be to house hack a duplex however being from (Longisland,Ny) these are hard to come buy and when they do they are $650k plus for anything decent. I can’t help but feel spending this much on a home to live in puts me further away from financial freedom then closer. 

What would you guys do as a smart next move? Getting closer to financial freedom and setting myself up for a future retirement is at the forefront of my goals at this point.