New Real Estate investor looking for my first deal

[Natalie Meyer]

Hello! I am excited to be a part of the this group! I have listen to the podcasts for years and finally I am able to start looking to buy my first property/ properties. My husband and I live in Palm Beach Gardens area which is about 90 miles north or Miami. We are looking to buy a few properties and we have over $100,000 to invest and have access to additional capital to get started.

We are trying to figure out the best strategy to get started in this crazy market. We are both had working people. I recently left my job working in pharmaceuticals for 15 years and I am willing to put time and hard work into things, but would love advice on how the best property to get started with. When running the numbers on long term rental properties in my areas (Pompano beach all the way up to Sebastian, FL), currently, it seems that breaking even is the best outcome? Is investing in a property that you could loose money in or break even a bad idea? I know long term the appreciation is valuable but would prefer not to loose money every month on my property if possible? Is that the normal game these days on long term rentals?

Also Wondering if we should look in another area or switch up our strategy? Our goals are to build some equity by owning property and hopefully bring in some extra monthly income in the next 12 to 18 months, if it is not available immediately. I would do a fix and flip to bring in extra cash now while also buying a long term rental for equity but I do not have access to a great contractor here.

I am open to ideas and am willing to swap services with someone to make things beneficial. I worked in sales in marketing for 15 years so I could swap time to help someone willing to be a mentor? I do not want to waste anyone's time, and I am willing to give back to help others in the community.