Potential New Investor in the Jacksonville FL area

[Michael Bengtson]

I'm an engineer currently living in the DC area, and I've been exploring real estate investment opportunities in Jacksonville. I have some family ties to the area. 

I'm looking at Class B properties in up-and-coming neighborhoods and plan to self-manage once I relocate.  I know building a reliable local network will be key, so I'm hoping to connect with experienced real estate team in the area.

The military presence in Jacksonville catches my eye, and I'm particularly interested in properties that might appeal to military personnel and the associated contractors. I have a few questions for those familiar with the market:

1. - What neighborhoods would you recommend for a first-time investor like myself?
2. - I'm curious about the market dynamics. From what I've seen, Jacksonville has attractive housing prices and rental rates. But I want to understand:
   • How quickly do rental units typically get leased?
   • Is the market truly as promising as it seems, or are things over saturation?

I'm, eager to learn from local insights and make a smart, informed investment decision. Any advice or perspective would be incredibly helpful.

Thanks!